Optimistic Morgan looking to turn the tide

National Football League, Division One A: Cork football hit rock bottom on July 17th, 2004. Fermanagh had just knocked them out of the championship, in the qualifiers, leaving the summer record as played two, lost two by a combined total of 15 points.

Being beaten out the gate by Fermanagh seemed disastrous at the time but the subsequent Charlie Mulgrew-inspired revolution at least showed Cork were outclassed by a quality footballing side. Still, while the hurling faction welcomed their old friend Liam McCarthy, a football crisis erupted.

Those Cork journalists who listened to Billy Morgan that evening, deep under the Cusack Stand, could at least send home some consolidation: one of their finest was in the trenches with them.

Morgan spoke sensibly about dusting off the old drawing board and redeveloping the game in Cork before it falls too far behind. Now into the last year of his second stint as manager he's hoping to engineer a return to the level they always expect to be at, alongside the likes of Kerry, Armagh and Tyrone.

The first step was preparation. Here, attitudes needed to change. Those not up to the pace of inter-county fare were discarded, while bringing in the UCD director of high performance Lisa Regan as a strength and conditioning coach showed a steely intent to turn the tide. They are looking to develop the brawn of Ulster sides but explosiveness and endurance are just as high up the list. Nutrition is a key factor.

"Lisa is top class," said Morgan. "She was away with the Canadian weight-lifting team for the Sydney Olympics so she has the pedigree. Also, the lads seem to get on with her."

Regan's résumé as a sports science and biochemistry expert is impressive, with several top American and Canadian track and field athletes, along with NHL and NFL players benefiting under her tutelage.

This is the same high performance centre that Saturday's opponents Dublin would be utilising if Brian Mullins had been given the managers job before Christmas. To Morgan though they seem to be coping just fine under Paul Caffrey.

"I don't know what Dublin are doing but they seem to be okay. In regard to conditioning they have Brian Talty there who knows plenty about that sort of thing so they won't be found wanting in that department. They have plenty of experience also."

Defeating their high flying visitors at Páirc Uí Rinn would transform an ailing league campaign but more importantly it would be a prized scalp. Something they crave right now after Tyrone and Mayo were ran within two and three points respectively.

Moral victories. They did beat Kerry but draws with Offaly and Westmeath mean any aspirations for the play-offs are dependent on victory this weekend.

"We were unlucky against Tyrone and Mayo," continues Morgan. "Tyrone were All-Ireland champions two years ago and Mayo, although beaten heavily, were in last year's decider so they have the experience. We have a young team who are yet to develop that knack of winning the tight games.

"The players in our squad have a very good attitude to our approach. The older fellas required an injection of confidence. They have been down for so long it is bound to effect their confidence but just one breakthrough will see that all change."

A team is slowly shaping with Derek Kavanagh moving from midfield to full back and Martin Ó Croinín back in his preferred half back role. Anthony Lynch returns to centre back, while Colin Corkery's absence from the panel sees Brendan Jer O'Sullivan playing his football from the square's edge.

Saturday is also a chance for Morgan to see some old friends, especially Jimmy Keavney who celebrated his 60th birthday recently, but it is also a continuation of Cork football's healing process.

"I'm only looking at this year as it is the last of my current contract. I have already done two years so whether I'm there or not after this year is up to the county board.

"I have not thought of anything after this year but I would like to put certain structures in place before I leave."