Big games for Cork teams
This weekend sees two games that will not define their season but matches that will shape how the next few weeks will evolve for John Cleary and Ben O’Connor.
All-Ireland Football Round 1
Cork v Meath on
Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 5.30pm
Familiar opposition in familiar surroundings for these two sides and in their meetings to date including last year there’s been very little between them as manager John Cleary explained. “We have met so often in the last few years we both know plenty about each other and almost every game has gone to the wire and I am sure this one will be no different.”
As for defeat in Killarney, John said it hurt but you have to move on. “Exactly and that is what we have done; very disappointed with some aspects of our play particularly in the 2nd half but look we reviewed it and then got back to business of preparing for this game.”
Injuries though will once again impact on team selection. “Unfortunately Brian (Hurley), Dara (Sheedy) and Sean (Brady) are out but that’s the nature of the season and hopefully they will be back soon.”
Saturday’s game is not knockout but the path to Croke Park and the last 8 will become that bit clearer. “Win and at the very least we are guaranteed two more games and lose and it’s all or nothing next time out.”
John is happy enough with their preparation and the two week gap is ideal. “Perfect really - even after a defeat it’s nice to get back at it quickly and that is what the lads have done.”
Meath have been nearly four weeks for this game and John is not sure will suit them. “It’s a long time but they’re an experienced squad and they will cope.”
Resilience is strong within the group. “We have had a few setbacks this year but they have bounced back quickly and I am sure they will do the same on Saturday if the reaction in training is any guide.”
He also well aware what Meath will bring: “As we know they are a good team with a nice blend of youth and experience and we will need to match that to get over the line.”
Playing in Páirc Uí Rinn is also an important factor. “It’s where we train and the lads are comfortable here and when we asked the board, there was no problem and we saw in the games against Kildare and Meath how important the support is and again on Monday night in the minor win how it helps.”
John is also hopeful that the despite the defeat in Killarney the supporters will turn out in big numbers.
“It would be great as it helps the team. There was huge support for the Munster Final and hopefully they will be there on Saturday.”
There is little doubt this is a good Meath team and they won’t fear coming to Páirc Uí Rinn, especially with players like James Conlon, Jack O’Connor, Ruairí Kinsella, Jordan Morris, Eoghan Freyne and Sean Brennan leading the challenge.
The Cork starting 15 is likely to be unchanged from the Munster Final and as a group they will know they underperformed and will want show they are a side capable of making an impact in the championship.
Daniel O’Mahony, Luke Fahy, Tommy Walsh and Brian O’Driscoll will anchor the defence.
Colm O’Callaghan and Ian Maguire have made been excellent in most games and will look to do so again, it will be crucial.
As a unit, the attack failed to function for long periods in Killarney, 1-2 in the 2nd half tells its own story.
Mark Cronin, Steven Sherlock and Chris Óg Jones will look to rectify that.
It’s a hard one to call, but playing at home and with a more consistent 70 plus minutes Cork should win.
The match is live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork v Clare in Super
Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday at 4pm
Last year Cork reached the final on 5 points, now with 6 and unbeaten they are not guaranteed a place in next month’s decider - that sums up the unpredictability and competitive nature of the Munster Championship! There are a few permutations around Sunday; the easy one is a win or a draw and Cork are in the final, even a loss by less than 5 points will also see them progress.
The expectation is also that Limerick will beat already eliminated Tipperary and that could see a repeat of the league final, only this time it will be in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
In fact the only pairing that will see the final played elsewhere is if it’s Cork v Clare, the venue then will be the Gaelic Grounds.
All that though is now on hold until Sunday afternoon.
Even though they are sure of hurling into June and hopefully longer, Ben is adamant they want to play in the final. “I know I’m repeating myself but we want to win every game and Sunday will be no different especially in front of our own supporters.”
Just like football boss John Cleary, Ben is frustrated with injuries Robbie O’Flynn and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon are out for Sunday, joining Ciarán Joyce and Rob Downey on the list.
“It’s disappointing for the lads and hopefully they, Ciarán apart, will be back for some part of the championship, but as I keep saying, that is what the panel is there for and those lads will be just as keen to play their part.”
Ben was impressed with Clare’s performance in the easy win over Tipperary. “Yeah they played very well; the way they set up their team dominated from start to finish and were comfortable all through.”
Our record against Clare in recent years has not been good, in the current format our last win was in 2018, while we did win in an All-Ireland qualifier in 2021.
“Not great but that is something we are not thinking about we cannot do anything about results in the past, all we can do is focus on what is next up and that is here next Sunday.”
The manager is happy with the progress to date and especially the manner in which they are winning. “Well with 3 from 3, you would have to be happy and we are winning games by grinding out results battling away to the end which is a good sign of any team.”
Winning in Walsh Park was pleasing. “It was a tough place to go and Waterford made it tough but we just kept at it got in front and then held our nerve to get the win we deserved on the night.”
Ben was fulsome in his praise for the Cork support: “Incredible and I know it will be huge again here on Sunday; the lads love playing here, as do most teams given the quality of the pitch, and it gives the team a huge lift and hopefully they will help us get over the line.”
Clare were poor in the loss to Limerick but the response was emphatic and will give them huge confidence for the trip to Leeside.
Eibhear Qulligan is a top class goalkeeper, John Conlon was outstanding, Diarmuid Stritch had a dream debut, Peter Duggan, Ian Galvin, Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell were all excellent in the demolition of the All-Ireland champions and will relish facing Cork on their home patch, knowing they have won here in the past.
What 15 will Ben pick now that they are without 3 All-Stars, 2 from the defence who of course were also absent for the Waterford game?
That would suggest the defence will be unchanged although even though named in defence Tommy O’Connell went to midfield but who will partner him now that Fitzgibbon is out?
Will Micheál Mullins come into the equation, while Barry Walsh surely will, while Diarmuid Healy could start and get another game under his belt after his injury.
One thing is sure: Niall O’Leary, Sean O’Donoghue, Eoin Downey and Mark Coleman are in top class form in defence.
Brian Hayes, William Buckley, Shane Barrett and Alan Connolly are all certain starters with the likes of Seamus Harnedy, Shane Kingston and Deccie Dalton entering the conversation before the team is revealed.
One question, were Clare that good or Tipperary that bad, whatever is has the makings on an intriguing encounter, remember last year’s thriller in Ennis that ended all square giving Cork a valuable point.
Despite the injuries and Clare have some as well, Cork are well equipped to win and in the process go some way to rectifying the poor record against the Banner County.
The match is live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Minor
On the back of the disappointing end to their Munster campaign, the Cork minor hurlers begin the All-Ireland phase when they play Wexford in a Preliminary Quarter-Final in Thurles on Saturday at 3pm.
Manager Donal Mulcahy will look for a huge improvement on their loss to Limerick and they certainly have the players to extend their season. This match is also live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Well done to Keith Ricken and his minor footballers on their great win over Kerry in difficult conditions on Monday night, in fact credit to both set of young players for their endeavours over close on 90 minutes. It also ended Kerry’s bid for 4 in a row, they now play the Leinster runners-up Meath or Kildare in the All-Ireland QF.
Special mention also to captain Joe Miskella for his wonderful acceptance speech as Gaelige.
Ladies football
The Munster Senior B Final between Cork and Clare will now go ahead on Sunday at 11.30am in Kilmallock, while in the All-Ireland Under 20 Championship Round 3, Cork play Galway in Tuam Stadium on Saturday at 2pm.