Taking a stand on Páirc Uí Rinn gave Cork players 'identity', says John Cleary  

They needed something to cling on to... I think maybe that was it

John Cleary: 'If you told me a couple of months ago, this is not the place I expected to be.' Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

The successful stand taken by the Cork footballers to have Saturday’s Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry returned to Páirc Uí Rinn has given the county’s new-look panel an identity, according to interim Cork manager John Cleary.

Although keen to play down any advantages Cork might hope to mine from enjoying home comforts this weekend, Cleary said there was definitely an upside from the venue fallout with regard to bringing the group closer together.