Kicking on: Cork GAA ensuring next generation of footballers won't be skill-deficient

All-Ireland winning player and manager with Cork, Conor Counihan, has recognised that in his role as director of football with Cork GAA and has introduced kicking skills competitions in the county to correct that imbalance.

CO OP KICKING: Left to Right Back Row U12 Finalists: Brian Dillons, Barryroe,Macroom,Glanmire. Illen Rovers,St Michaels, St Nicks, BK Plunketts.

If it was a tad ironic that the next generation of Cork footballers were being recognised for nascent kicking skills at half-time in a Munster SFC game where their senior counterparts had been shy in displaying same, it nonetheless was a worthy exercise in the critical area of skills development.

Whether Cork's shooting was the cause of their narrow defeat to the All-Ireland champions last Saturday week is up for debate but afterwards manager John Cleary did bemoan their second half wides in a two-point defeat to the Kingdom.