Patrick Kelly: A positive performance is a pre-requisite from Cork

Cork will look to Derry for the template and inspiration in taking out a more vaunted rival. The problem is they face a group who won’t be lacking for motivation or naïve to the dangers of complacency

Brian Hurley was Cork's main man against Kerry last year. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

After much toing and froing behind the scenes Cork and Kerry will this evening face off in front of a near capacity crowd in Páirc Uí Rinn. I have heard it said and seen it written that the Cork players’ stance of ‘ Páirc Uí Rinn or nowhere’ has heaped the pressure on them to get a result, or at the very least a performance. 

While this is a fair conclusion to draw, I don’t see it holding true. To expect the Cork players’ statement to transform a team who survived in Division Two by the skin of their teeth into a team capable of putting it up to the Division One champions and favourites for the All-Ireland is fanciful. The easiest thing to do for this group of Cork players would have been to stay quiet and accept their lot of travelling to Killarney. As far as I’m concerned, the Cork players and management played a blinder in standing their ground and forcing the issue.