Gut feeling says Cork want to win it more

FOOTBALL ANALYST: IT IS hard not to be impressed by Cork so far this year. Clearly learning from past weaknesses, we are seeing a consistency of performance with, crucially, players used regularly in one position. A prime example being midfielder Nicholas Murphy.

This also sees them strengthening their defence with Michael Shields at full back,

Ger Spillane moving to wing back and Graham Canty completing a solid structure at centre back. Canty has the required athleticism and, most importantly, football brain, that tells him when to move forward and when to mind the house.

Another huge motivation is Father Time creeping up on men like Anthony Lynch and Canty; great stalwarts for Cork football who realise they are running out of chances to achieve the ultimate accolade.

Their forwards are gelling better as well. The introduction of Paul Kerrigan provides valuable power and pace on the wing.

Michael Cussen at full forward made them

too one-dimensional with an over-use of the high, speculative ball. Cussen remains a second-half option due to his height advantage over Tom O’Sullivan.

Kieran Donaghy is such a significant loss for Kerry, not just for his aerial threat but his almost telepathic understanding with Colm Cooper. Tommy Walsh is a formidable target man, but needs to be slicker with passing and decision making to provide Cooper with the time and space he requires to destroy teams.

Of course, Cork will attempt to restrict the quality ball inside with Lynch doing the essential man-marking job, I suspect, on Cooper.

The new Kerry midfield formula remains a concern. This is not a slight on the partnership. It’s just that throughout the league campaign Jack O’Connor interchanged four players: Micheál Quirke, Séamus Scanlon, Anthony Maher and David Moran, allowing them to sustain their intensity for 70 minutes. The unavailability of Maher and Scanlon left me surprised that Moran didn’t get a start.

If Kerry are to win this All-Ireland, Tadhg Kennelly will need to have a major influence.

I don’t understand why he didn’t get more game time during the league. He is a fluent, free-running athlete, who covers acres of ground with ease. Certainly a midfielder or half-forward, but not a full back, as some have suggested, as he doesn’t have that explosive speed off the mark.

It will be interesting to see how he fares alongside Quirke, but there is no doubting his temperament on the biggest stage as shown in the Grand Final, when he was magnificent. He has high skill levels, allied by quick and accurate hand passing. I expect him to nail down his place.

Darragh Ó Sé is not fit enough so their options are restricted, but I expect to see him in the second half. Sitting on the bench after a glorious career may not rest well with Darragh. Provided he is in the right frame of mind he could be a driving force late on. Attitude is everything here after being a leader on the field for so long.

The loss of Donaghy and Darragh’s lack of fitness are joined by a third concern – defence. Tommy Griffin at centre back and Aidan O’Mahony moving to the wing doesn’t seem right. The full-back line is strengthened by the return of Marc Ó Sé, but they have been found wanting throughout the league.

I find it interesting not one of All-Ireland winning Cork under-21s could make the starting team. This augurs well for the depth of quality being held in reserve by Conor Counihan. Fintan Goold for one and the Cussen option.

Kerry used to launch the live-wire Darren O’Sullivan into the fray in the final quarter, but he is captain now and deservedly starts.

It means they will look to the returning Eoin Brosnan and Seán O’Sullivan for that injection of pace late on.

It all adds up to an intriguing encounter. My gut feeling tells me Cork want to win it more than Kerry. In the long run, who does this suit more?

I applaud Dublin manager Pat Gilroy for making eight changes to the team defeated by Tyrone. They just can’t keep recycling the same players if they are to win the All-Ireland title. Those showing consistent form throughout the league are being rewarded. It is undoubtedly a risk to drop Ciarán Whelan, Shane Ryan, Jason Sherlock and Bryan Cullen, but one worth taking, especially if it means these men are forced into fighting for their intercounty careers.

Meath will give a spirited performance, no doubt, but they have not really impressed me. They do have that cuteness in conjuring up scores that Dublin haven’t shown for a long while.

I have one hope for Dublin this year – if they want to improve they must move the ball unselfishly and quickly. Minimise the solo run and head up at all times. Their most gifted forwards, the Brogans, are particularly guilty of this. A selfish footballer will never deliver the ultimate victory.