Counihan: Cork must match Dubs

Cork coach Conor Counihan is demanding his All-Ireland champions show the same level of desire as Dublin in the league final at Croke Park on Sunday, throw-in 4pm.

The holders are still smarting over the Dubs’ 3-13 to 0-16 win under the Croker lights during the regular schedule back in February and Counihan doesn’t want a repeat of their earlier 3-13 to 0-16 loss to the Dubs, even if Cork were only just back from their holiday to South Africa at the time.

“Hunger is our biggest issue regarding Sunday. We’re probably three months on now from returning from holidays and I expect our fellaows to show that in a national final.

“We need to have the same, if not more, hunger than Dublin, but we will have to see what kind of our hunger we have.

“We were particularly disappointed with our performance that night, but you have to give credit to Dublin for their performances throughout the league. This is a national title and you don’t always get the opportunity,” he said.

Dublin were the only side to remain unbeaten in the seven-game series and made no secret of their ambitions to end an 18-year wait since their last league triumph. Pat Gilroy’s outfit are favourites to dethrone Cork in a game that’s expected to attract a 70,000-plus crowd to headquarters, though that brings pressures of its own.

“I hear pressure every day of the week. It’s what you make of it that mattersWhat Dublin make of it is their own business. We will be giving it our damndest to win. It would be very important from our point of view to win.”

“Every footballer in Ireland wants to play in Croke Park on big days and it’s fantastic for us.”

Counihan admitted his charges will have to bring their A game to headquarters as they search for a third consecutive league title.

“Dublin are the form team and it’s going to take a very good team to beat them. Past meetings have been very close and I expect Sunday to be no different,” Counihan declared.

Meanwhile, Ciarán Sheehan has a slight knock ahead of the game, and in conjunction with Eoin Cadogan’s suspension, and hamstring injuries to Aidan Walsh and Paul Kerrigan, Cork will delay naming their side until closer to the weekend.

Michael Shields will captain the Rebels this weekend in the absence of Graham Canty, and his club St Finbarr’s will also have the honour of the official launch of the All-Ireland football championship on Wednesday, May 4.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo