Not all pitch perfect for Cork

Cork football management had to go “cap in hand” to several clubs when seeking a pitch for training during the first two months of the year, selector Eoin O’Neill has revealed.

With no centre of excellence available to Cork’s inter-county teams, and Páirc Uí Rinn having been off-limits for training purposes throughout January and February, the Cork footballers would have been left stranded on more than one occasion were it not for the generosity of clubs who allowed the county team avail of their facilities.

“The weather was a major issue for us at the start of the year in getting access to pitches. At the end of the day, we are very grateful to the clubs that supported us. We had to go cap in hand to a lot of clubs last minute,” O’Neill admitted.

“We went to Finbarr Santry below in Castlehaven, the guys in Carrigaline helped us out. Paddy Sheahan and Liz Foley up in Mallow were very good to us. They have got clubs to run and their own teams to be putting out on their own pitches as well.

“The start of the year was fairly difficult. It was a combination of factors. The weather was unbelievable.”

O’Neill believes a set training base for all Cork teams and underage squads must be constructed to resolve such issues for future generations.

“The sooner that we get pitches that are in Cork’s control, the better it is for everyone,” continued O’Neill. “We were training on Wednesday and there were Rebel Óg development squads out on pitches as well. Cork needs to be getting to that level. There’s a lot of teams in Cork, there is a lot of work being done with development squads. It’s very impressive. Fellas need to play on pitches.”

Having ended a three-game losing streak last time out against Monaghan, O’Neill says the target this weekend is to maintain the same level of intensity against Down which had the Farney men chasing their tails from very early on at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“We obviously have had a couple of ups and down with regard to achieving consistency, but if we could push it on a small bit more, keep that intensity level high and get the lads to express themselves as we know they can, then we can take steps forward in this department. The lads want to hit a consistent performance level in each game. Hopefully, the victories will come with that.”

Much was said and written about Peadar Healy’s squad in the wake of the 4-25 to 3-10 hammering to Roscommon at the end of February. Little of it was complimentary. O’Neill has been pleased though with how the players have reacted to such a traumatic event.

“Resilience has been questioned with these lads. They are resilient. They stepped up to the plate after the Roscommon game. After that game, we examined all aspects of our set-up. Everybody fronted up. No one hid or stood back and said it’s someone else’s fault. Everyone took responsibility. That showed toughness.

“Mentally, they had a week to get up for the Dublin game. That game was a good game. We were playing the best team in the country and they reacted well. They worked very hard in the week leading into it and refused to let what happened at Páirc Uí Rinn dominate them. We were disappointed we didn’t win that game against Dublin but that drove them on further for the Monaghan game. If we can play with that resolve again, we might be in with a chance of getting a result [against Down].”

Meanwhile Cork GAA secretary Frank Murphy will give the oration at the blessing of the restored grave of John ‘Flyer’ Nyhan on Easter Monday.

Mr Nyhan, who died in 1934, is buried at Ballymoney Cemetery, Ballineen and the blessing will take place at 3pm. Nyhan was involved in the fight for Irish freedom between 1916 and 1921. A native of Clonakilty, he was synonymous with West Cork GAA.