Heat is on as managers fire verbal volleys

NO self-respecting title bout would be complete without the mandatory war of words, and rival managers Damien Richardson and Stephen Kenny duly delivered ahead of tonight’s title decider at Turner’s Cross.

Both men are too thoughtful and articulate to start throwing haymakers outside the ring, but there was a definite rise in temperature yesterday as the Derry boss responded sharply to what he clearly regarded as provocative comments made earlier in the day by his Cork counterpart.

Speaking early yesterday, Richardson told reporters: “I think if we can play to our potential we’re a better team than Derry, though they will think differently. It will be a game of contrasts. Derry are quite a defensive team anyway, they tend to sit back and play on the break. They’re a very well organised and honest group of players, and impressive in that respect. But perhaps they don’t play as much football as you would like to see from potential champions.”