Always destined to play a central role

Interview - Graham Canty: Seán Morantalks to Cork's outstanding full back about the challenges facing him on Sunday:

Of all Cork's injury woes going into big matches in recent years, Graham Canty's damaged cruciate ligament going into last season's All-Ireland semi-final was probably the most damaging.

His status in the game as a top defender and outstanding footballer had been underlined by the marking job he had done on Colm Cooper in the Munster final and replay before he sustained the fateful injury.

His loss also had to be judged in the alarming context of Kieran Donaghy's emergence after that Munster final as a raze-and-pillage full forward.

Canty's distinguished national service as an International Rules defender had included some extraordinary performances on big Australian forwards, principally Sydney's Barry Hall in the 2003 second test in Melbourne, and would have made him an obvious choice to mark the Kerryman.

Kerry avenged the Munster final loss that day, with Canty looking on. He's not inclined to get too frustrated over what happened and at the time stoically accepted the setback: "These things happen. You play sport, you're going to get injured."

The main problem for Cork with regard to Canty is that he hasn't been cloned. As an athlete and footballer he would make an undoubted impact farther out the field, but the team's need for him is greatest at full back.

"I wouldn't say it's his best position," says manager Billy Morgan, "he's equally adept at full back, centre back or midfield. He's played in so many positions.

"I'd love to play him at centre back or midfield but he's an excellent full back and we're well served in the middle with Nicholas (Murphy) and Derek (Kavanagh).

"He really shores it up, which gives confidence to the whole defence, and is well capable of getting forward."

But Morgan also points out that, unlike Kerry's Séamus Moynihan, who similarly sacrificed his game for a number of years to play full back, Canty is well experienced in the role.

"He played a lot of football at full back when he was an under-21 as well as at senior. He's not a manufactured full back. He's very strong in the air and very good on the ground, good at winning ball and surging in possession."

A year after the injury, Cork and Kerry are back in Croke Park for a fourth All-Ireland meeting in six seasons, but the first in a final and Kerry have yet to be beaten in any of the decade's episodes of relocated rivalry.

Once more Canty is expected to be a central influence, this time in his presence. There is speculation over whether he will stay with Donaghy, as he did for most of this year's Munster final defeat by Kerry, or pick up Cooper as last year.

Canty has been impressed by the Kerry full forward in what has been a tricky second season after winning Footballer of the Year for his scoring exploits in 2006.

"Kieran's an outstanding player. He's showed even more this year now that he's not just a big target man. You saw him against Dublin in the first half and the majority of ball he won was all played in front of him. He's comfortable laying it off and Kerry got scores from that. He can play it either way."

One aspect of Cork's matches since losing the Munster final is the suggested acceptance of the primacy of their traditional running, possession game in preference to the experiment of using newcomer Michael Cussen as a mark two Donaghy, big as a lighthouse on the opposition square. Cussen's best displays, however, have been when dropped back as an auxiliary centrefielder.

"The last couple of games we've brought Michael out now and again as well. When he's at full forward he takes the pressure off the lads out around the middle because they can leave direct ball into him and he's well able to win it. He also gives a bit of muscle around the middle when he's brought out and he's a good ball-winner from our kick-outs and the opposition's."

Whatever the tactical details, the historic first All-Ireland clash between the neighbouring rivals is compelling, although Canty doesn't feel it's a particular advantage to have the motivation of defeat earlier in the season, as Kerry did going into last year's semi-final.

"I don't think so. It's an All-Ireland final so there won't be any need for added motivation. I don't think Cork-Kerry matches need it either no matter if it's even a league game because you're going to have fire on both sides."

Graham Canty

Club: Bantry Blues

Height: 6ft 1in

Weight: 13st 11lb

Age: 27

Honours: Munster SFC 2002, 2006, Captain of Ireland 2003 International Rules