Ger fears an early Kilkenny score blitz

Brian Cody is eagerly awaiting the latest instalment of the modern Cork-Kilkenny rivalry, but Gerald McCarthy admitted Cork can’t afford to give the Cats a headstart.

The Cork boss acknowledged that the first quarter will be imperative on Sunday and there cannot be a situation where Cork find themselves eight or nine points in arrears as they were against Clare.

“There’s no doubt about it, that if you start slow against Kilkenny you will find yourself six points down and that will turn to 10 or 12 very quickly,” said Gerald.

“Our main job is to get a full 70 minutes game together and we’ll do ourselves justice then.

“That’s something that we haven’t done yet.”

Pure love of hurling is driving Kilkenny boss Brian Cody forward in search of more glory.

Cork have had six different managers during Cody’s reign on Noreside. Now the great rivals square up to each other again in Sunday’s All Ireland semi-final with Gerald McCarthy in the red corner.

Cody admits that days like these are what keeps him going.

“This time of year — hurling during the summer — there is nothing else like it,” he said. “Just being part and parcel of the build up to this All-Ireland semi-final and matches like Sunday.

“There is no hardship in this and none for the players either.

“I don’t think that they would trade places with anyone who isn’t in it either.

“There is a lot made of sacrifices nowadays and that it’s a massive problem to be playing intercounty hurling but I don’t see it like that at all.

“I think the players love what they are doing and I love doing what I am doing and I am sure Gerald McCarthy does as well.”

Cody was alongside the Cork boss in Croke Park yesterday for the big game press conference and he said that there was nothing to compare with the great rivalry of Cork and Kilkenny.

“There is a huge, healthy respect there between the two counties. Going back years, Kilkenny v Cork has been a huge part of the GAA.

“It’s healthy and it’s decent and long may it continue but Sunday’s game will take on a life of its own like all the others.”

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper