Pat Ryan: Cork can't be reacting to what Limerick are doing. It has to be pure instinctive

PURE INSTINCTIVE: Cork manager Pat Ryan with Patrick Horgan. Pic Credit: Ryan Byrne, Inpho.

Energy is a new hurling buzzword, says Pat Ryan. What has been repeatedly said of Pat Ryan’s Cork team is that their Munster round-robin energy was conspicuous by its absence against Offaly and Dublin.

Cork manager Ryan doesn’t use the word energy. He opts instead for attitude. Their attitude and work rate must be instinctive. Against Offaly and Dublin, it was reactive. Against Limerick, the tables must turn.

“We know what we can do with the ball, it is what we are going to do without the ball is the key to the game on Sunday,” remarked Ryan ahead of Cork's semi-final showdown with the champions.

“What are we going to do on turnovers, what are we going to do when we don't have the ball? At this level, thinking about chasing back or thinking about turning a fella over, the chance to do so is already gone. It has to come naturally to fellas.

“The last two games, whether it was a small bit of complacency or sickness, now I don't think there was a chance of us losing those two games during the matches, but we definitely didn't have that same hunger to get the ball back.

"We were reacting to what the other team did instead of being instinctive and turning them over. Probably a small bit similar to the Waterford game at the start of the championship.

“We are very conscious that you can't be reacting to what Limerick are doing. It has to be pure instinctive that that is what you are going to do all the time. That is what our focus has been in the two weeks since the Dublin game as regards bringing that back to the table.”

His players can’t wait to return to the championship table. They can’t wait to get up the road to Croker.

“Unbelievable,” he said of the panel mood. “Really, really looking forward to it. This is what makes the wet, winter days down in Mallow in the middle of November, December, and January all worthwhile. Lads are embracing it, can't wait to get there.

“We are facing a fantastic team in Limerick. There will be a huge crowd there. What else could you want? Savage enthusiasm, excitement, and great spirits round our camp at the moment.”

Midfielder Ethan Twomey, who hasn’t been seen since the win over Tipp because of injury, is back in full training. Ryan’s comments regarding Rob Downey, who missed the quarter-final because of the bug that went through the camp, would seem to confirm that there will be at least one change to the starting 15.

“Rob has been fantastic for us all year. Huge player for us. He was perfect again last week at training. Rob will be ready to go and will have a huge bearing on how we play on Sunday.

“From what we can see in training, there are no lingering effects (of the bug that went around). We had a fantastic training session last Wednesday and we've gone on from there. Everyone is fit, healthy, and ready to go.”