Vital game for footballers
After last weekend's loss to Dublin, Cork are on the road to Croke Park once again for a must-win game against Tyrone.
Cork vs Tyrone
“The scoreline does not reflect the effort the lads put in, the concession of the goal just before half-time was a blow but we battled back and kept going at them.”
The words of Cork football manager Ronan McCarthy after the game against the All-Ireland champions Dublin last weekend.
As for this Saturday’s must win game against Tyrone: “It's another big test but that is where we want to be playing the top teams, we are back here (Croke Park) which can only help, and I am confident we are developing into a fine team.”
McCarthy also confirmed that the injury situation is clearing and that is reflected in the named team, Killian O’Hanlon returns to midfield and Sean Powter and Eoghan McSweeney are named among the substitutes.
Cork promised to attack Dublin and they were true to their word, and they will probably approach Saturday’s game with the same attitude, but will find Tyrone a different proposition.
Last year’s runners-up will set up to be ultra defensive and then break quickly and have the potential to unhinge the best of defences.
Colm Kavanagh, Mattie Donnelly, Ronan McNamee and Niall Sludden are outstanding players and they have the added advantage in a goalkeeper, Niall Morgan, who has the capacity to kick long range points.
Can Cork deliver another big performance?
Given the that the graph is rising every week I think they can, they were unhinged late on last week but they will have learned from it.
Kevin Flahive, Liam O’Donovan and Mattie Taylor put in huge shifts.
Ian Maguire provided great leadership and will benefit from Killian O’Hanlon’s return, although if they line out as named, Paul Kerrigan is a bit unlucky as he was very good in Croke Park.
The attack were excellent as well, Brian Hurley, Ruairi Deane, Luke Connolly and Mark Collins really tested the Dublin rearguard.
Tyrone are renowned for their defensive qualities, if Cork can be as effective as they were against Dublin they are well capable of winning.
It would mean another big game in two weeks’ time against Roscommon and it’s just a pity they won’t get to play it in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
5pm start here and it’s live on C103.
Under 20 Football
Yet another opportunity for a Cork team to break the Kingdom’s dominance of Munster titles, and while there is optimism in the squad, they face a tough task against a side backboned by All-Ireland medal winners.
For this evening's game in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm, Kerry will be warm favourites and include players like Fiachra Clifford, Joseph O’Connor, Donal O’Sullivan, Barry O’Mahoney and Dan McCarthy, all quality players.
Cork will have learned very little from the rout of Waterford and would I am sure they would have wished for a tougher test.
Peter O’Driscoll, Cathal O’Mahoney, Mark Cronin, Colm Barrett, Damien Gore, Brian Hartnett and Gearoid O’Donovan all impressed in the games recently and will need to be as good and probably better if they are to deny Kerry heading back across the county bounds with another cup in their possession.
Under 20 Hurling
Hard to believe it's the first trip to Semple Stadium in Thurles for a hurling game this year, the footballers have been there twice, and won both times it must be said.
Contrasting fortunes for both counties coming into this game, Tipperary are preparing for the senior semi-final, Cork licking our wounds after the loss to Kilkenny.
Will this have any bearing? Unlikely but then a Cork vs Tipp meeting in a final carries an appeal of its own. This group of players are pretty familiar with one another, have regularly met in big games in recent years.
The Munster minor semi-final, and subsequent replay in 2017, and twice last year when Cork won the Munster Under 21 final with Tipperary reversing that result with a late goal in the All-Ireland Final.
Both sides eased into this final, Cork with wins over Limerick and Clare, Tipperary hammering Waterford.
Jake Morris, Conor Browne, Paddy Caddell, Mick Purcell, Joe Fogarty and Jerome Cahill are key players on the Tipperary team and they will be anxious to keep their winning run against the Rebels going.
Impressive and all that Cork have been, I feel there is still more in the team.There is quality all over the field such as Ger Mellerick, Robert Downey, Sean O’Leary Hayes, Daire Connery, Shane O’Regan and the highly talented Brian Turnbull.
The fact that both teams advance to the All-Ireland series should not lessen the appeal or desire to win, the likelihood is that they could very well meet again later this year.
Cork’s attack has yet to fire on all cylinders, if they do they could very well retain the provincial title.
Camogie and Ladies Football
A clash of fixtures has once again been avoided thanks to the Camogie Association, not for the first time, facilitating a change from Saturday to Sunday.
Both sides are already safe in the knowledge that their place in the play-off stage of the championship is secure.
To be fair Waterford have shown a commendable improvement in the last number of years with Beth Carton and Niamh Rockett outstanding players. That said, Cork should, and probably will win.
In the ladies football, Cork begin the group phase of the All-Ireland Championship with a trip to Mullingar for a meeting with Cavan.
Cork are the reigning league champions and it’s difficult to see the girls from the Breffini County getting anything out of this game.