JOHN O'KEEFFEassesses the Cork team ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland final against Down.
1 Alan Quirke (Valley Rovers)Age: 33. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 13st 10lb.
Occupation: Army officer.
Commanding presence and has the confidence of his backs when available as extra defender, but takes too many chances on the ball. Reliable kick-outs – no problem with distance and plenty of big men available.
2 Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
Age: 24. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 14st 2lb.
Occupation: Bórd Gáis Energy representative.
Benefited from being able to concentrate on football in the past few weeks. Physically strong, an in-your-face defender, but tends to over-do aggression. Semi-final proved him capable of being an excellent corner back.
3 Michael Shields (St Finbarr’s)
Age: 24. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Student, UCC.
Complete footballer with all the skills and is developing into a tighter marker. Although more suited to the half backs than the inside line, he steadied things in the semi-final when picking up Bernard Brogan.
4 Ray Carey (Clyda Rovers)
Age: 24. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 12st.
Occupation: Student, CIT.
Very pacey and a good marker, who is precise with his passing and rarely turns over ball. Vulnerable overhead and misjudgement under a high ball against Dublin was costly. Recovered well, but can be too adventurous.
5 Noel O’Leary (Cill na Martra)
Age: 28. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st 10lb.
Occupation: Tree surgeon.
Handled a pile of ball against Dublin partly because his marker was playing so deep. His use of possession could be better though. Kicking at times wayward and passing lateral or backwards, which slows attacks.
6 Graham Canty (c), (Bantry Blues)
Age: 30. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 13st 11lb.
Occupation: Engineer.
Leader of the team and an outstanding career to date. Cork at their best when he has room to attack. Needs to be fully fit to cope with the movement of the Down forwards. If not, a serious loss.
7 Paudie Kissane (Clyda Rovers)
Age: 30. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 13st 7lb.
Occupation: GAA Games development administrator.
Very athletic with good pace and capable of getting forward. Has the fitness to do a good marking job on Daniel Hughes, but in that case he’ll be less visible than previously when able to pick off scores.
8 Alan O’Connor (St Colum’s)
Age: 25. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 14st 5lb.
Occupation: Electrician.
Form not as good as last year. His main asset is his work rate, big engine and big heart. He’s a bit short on kicking skills, but has quick hands and the ability to pick out the right pass.
9 Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
Age: 20. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Student, CIT.
Despite a below-par semi-final, I’ve been impressed by him. Tall and rangy with an athletic presence. Covers ground really well. Shows his inexperience in reckless kicking from distance but work rate is outstanding.
10 Ciarán Sheehan (Éire Óg)
Age: 19. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Student, CIT.
Well able to win ball, beat his marker and score. I prefer him closer to goal where his scoring threat is heightened. Very few teams play three inside, but I’d leave him and move out Donncha O’Connor.
11 Pearse O’Neill (Aghada)
Age: 30. Height: 6ft 5in. Weight: 16st.
Occupation: Accountant.
Different type of forward. Has an explosive ability to take on defenders as well as provide a target. More likely to score goals than points, but knows limitations and lays off well to the finishers. Gives everything.
12 Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig)
Age: 25. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Teacher.
Huge engine and energy. Hardest worker and covers more ground than anyone – willing to track back but also to support attacks and be on hand to provide a scoring option. Important player and always dangerous.
13 Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg)
Age: 24. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Student, CIT.
Scoring returns tend to dip as the championship wears on and he needs to increase work-rate. Remains a potential match winner. Has difficulties losing his marker but supply to him not always great either.
14 Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
Age: 29. Height: 6ft. Weight: 12st.
Occupation: GAA development officer.
Has been generally disappointing from play, even if his free-taking has got Cork to the final. Doesn’t battle hard enough in the 50-50 situations and needs more of a killer instinct to complement his undoubted ability.
15 Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
Age: 23. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st 5lb.
Occupation: Student, CIT.
Wing forward is his best position and suits his instinct to take on defenders. Maybe he overdoes the soloing and should play the ball more quickly. Sometimes shooting is disappointing, but I like his ability to beat opponents.
