Lynch primed for crunch Kerry tie

Cork footballer Anthony Lynch almost did not make the All-Ireland final last year, as he struggled with injury ahead of one of the most crucial games of his career.

The Naomh Aban clubman was not even listed as a substitute on that September Sunday but appeared on the field wearing number 31 in the second half.

All-Ireland final appearances are certainly nice to have on any inter-county player's CV but with a previous defeat in the 1999 decider to Meath, and last year's ten-point mauling suffered at the expense of Kerry, Lynch is certainly keen to make amends this term.

Standing in front of Cork for the 17th time in the last ten years are none other than the Kingdom in this weekend's eagerly-anticipated semi-final.

With a place in the All-Ireland decider up for grabs, the 31-year old says that the Rebels are always keen to learn from their mistakes of the past.

"It's a good squad of players. While the All-Ireland final didn't work out for us last year, we go out every day and try our best in championship games," he said.

"Sometimes they don't work out but that's it and that's life and there's no point in looking back crying when it's done.

"You just have to learn from it and move on and find the next opportunity and work on that. There's plenty of time to be looking back at these things and being worried about them."

Cork got off to a sluggish start in the Munster final last month and, trailing by 1-08 to 0-03 at the interval, it looked as though it was curtains for the Rebels.

However, Conor Counihan's side oozed enthusiasm and skill in the second half, with Lynch praising his manager whom he believes made the correct tactical switches to steer Cork in the direction of their 35th Munster title.

"He (Conor) did change it and it worked, and it was a good move to be honest. The moves that he made were excellent."

Lynch is now in his tenth season as a senior inter-county footballer but he does not feel under extra pressure as an older member of the squad.

"Time is precious but added pressure? No. You take every season as it comes. You just see how it works out and you try your best. There's nothing more you can do beyond that."

With key players Graham Canty and Nicholas Murphy still struggling with injury, Lynch says that they have been a motivating force for this Cork team, as the Rebels try to qualify to their second All-Ireland final in as many years.

"If anyone deserves to be there it's those guys...and that is a motivating factor. Whilst those guys are missing in training, they are exceptional off the field.

"In the dressing room while they are not playing our games, it's almost like they are there the whole time.

"Whilst they can be inspirational on the pitch, they can be real leaders off the pitch and that's very important as well.

"It doesn't mean that when they are injured they go missing, they just wouldn't be on the field of play that's all," he added.