CORK'S all rounder Brian Corcoran has a special mission to fulfil in Sunday's National Football League final against Kerry at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. He is keen on matching up his league hurling medal with its football equivalent.

Corcoran (24) yesterday talked of Cork's resolve to redress the bitter disappointment of last year's Munster final and of his in built personal ambition in Sunday's clash.

After figuring in five closely fought Munster championship ties against Kerry the Erin's Own dual player says that this league decider will be no different.

"There's never been more than two or three points between us. Last year's defeat in the Munster final was the most disappointing of all in my experience. It was close with about three minutes to go and Kerry got two quick points to pull ahead."

Corcoran added: "It's going to be a big test for us on Sunday. For the last couple of matches our defence has been playing well but we have been struggling up front.

Corcoran makes no bones about what is most needed from the Cork attack of which he is a key member, selected to play on the left wing. "We will have to do better if we want to win."

He feels that the attacking performance produced in the first half of the quarter finals against Louth would be a welcome relief.

"I don't think either team are too worried about the championship at this stage. Obviously both teams would like to win the league. You don't get to a league final very often and when you do get there you want to win it. We won't be thinking about the championship anyway."

And his appraisal of Maurice Fitzgerald, the man on whom Kerry supporters place so much onus to set the their forwards alight? "A class footballer. He brings the rest of the forwards into the game. He is going to be a big threat to us.

"O Cinneide (Darn) is another fine player. He is lethal really and will have to be watched closely," observes Corcoran.

"To match their potential our forwards will definitely have to improve on the last couple of performances. Time will tell whether we can or not," he said.

Perhaps no other Cork player has figured in so many positions, excepting goal of course, than the Cork star since his prolific early success with the county in both hurling and football All Ireland minor championships.

With the hurling league now stretching into the summer, it is going to be a busy time for the dual player but "highly interesting," he says.

Larry Tompkins facility to switch players around at an overwhelming rate during any given match often leaves some guessing about their eventual roles.

The order of names between the semicolons on the team sheet, more often than not, counts for little.

Reading from the right, the half forward went; 15, 12, 7. In the semi final against Kildare and the full forward line read 14, 11, 13.

The big question this time round concerns the eventual shape of the Cork full back line. My information is that it will be switched around just before the throw in to allow selected full back Mark O'Connor police Maurice Fitzgerald.

Tompkins is non committal at this stage but 28 year old Army officer O'Connor is the name on the grapevine for the onerous task of watching the St Mary's wizard. O'Connor has been assigned to deal with other key forwards in his time, not least Eoin "Bomber" Liston and Dublin's Jason Sherlock.

Meanwhile, Dublin and Down managers Micky Whelan and Pete McGrath will be hoping for something encouraging to emerge from a senior football challenge between the county's at the Clanna Gael ground in Ringsend on Sunday.

They both have important opening round championship dates with Meath and Tyrone, All Ireland semi finalists last August.

At this stage, McGrath is slightly the more apprehensive about championship prospects. "Don't mention it," he says as he peruses through a list Down of stars who figured in last year's Ulster final but who are now unavailable through emigration retirement and injuries.

Meath manager Sean Boylan was given reason to feel more secure with his pool of players this week following the news that Stephen Carolan has incurred the minimum suspension arising from his sending off in a club match.

This means that wing back Carolan will be eligible to play in the All Ireland under 21 final against Derry on Sunday week.