THE EXTRAORDINARY run of fixtures between these counties continues with an 18th meeting in 10 years taking place in Cork this evening. Both teams carry scars from the drawn match in Killarney six days ago.
Cork blew a commanding position, having done more than enough to win the match against opponents who looked there for the taking.
Kerry, on the other hand, have to temper the psychological lift of an undeserved reprieve with the likely loss of Tommy Walsh, who although named to start is believed unlikely to have recovered from the ankle injury that forced his early withdrawal last weekend.
Manager Jack O’Connor has responded with urgency by bringing in three players (with Walsh still to be replaced) and making a number of positional switches. Darragh Ó Sé, in his 15th season, showed he’s still capable of raising his game when the need is greatest and the complete turnover at centrefield re-unites him with Tommy Griffin, the partner with whom he has always seemed most comfortable down the years.
This enables the switch of Tadhg Kennelly to wing forward where he made hay for a while last week.
The failure to snuff out that tactic as soon as Kerry began popping kick-outs down on the contrasting reach of Kennelly and Kieran O’Connor was one aspect of the match that will have left Cork manager Conor Counihan a bit frustrated.
Another would be the change in direction brought about by replacing James Masters with Michael Cussen after just 25 minutes. Masters was experiencing familiar problems getting his hands on the ball but was using what he did get efficiently.
Cussen, who is not long back in action after an injury lay-off, didn’t manage to replicate his previous successes under the high ball and the team looked uncertain as to the most effective combination of low, raking ball and aerial bombardment.
The big Glanmire man was also ill-at-ease in the role he normally performs seamlessly, switching from full forward to centrefield to shore up the ball-winning capacity around the middle. Still the re-balanced attack did get manage to get Cork into a winning position.
Some very poor finishing completed the defending champions’ woes and a critical question this evening will be how much more change they can expect to get out of Kerry’s full backs.
Few expect Cork to line out unchanged, as announced, and there is speculation that Kerry may replace Walsh with his brother, Barry John.
One way or the other the pressure on Cork is considerably eased by the injuries to Walsh and Kieran Donaghy, the vaunted Twin Peaks of last year.
The impact of Donaghy’s loss is a vivid reminder of how crucial he has become to the county since his landmark switch from centrefield to full forward during O’Connor’s previous tour of duty.
The fact that Colm Cooper had a more fitful day than usual is surely a reflection of the lack of target men as well as the absence of Donaghy’s dexterity in possession when it comes to setting up scoring opportunities.
CORK:A Quirke; K O'Connor, M Shields, A Lynch; J Miskella, G Canty, G Spillane; A O'Connor, N Murphy; P Kelly, P O'Neill, P Kerrigan; D Goulding, J Masters, D O'Connor.
KERRY:D Murphy; M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; T Ó Sé, A O'Mahony, K Young; D Ó Sé, T Griffin; P Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan, T Kennelly; C Cooper, T Walsh, B Sheehan.
Referee:Pat McEnaney (Monaghan).
In the last episode:Last year's trend of Cork mounting comic-book escapes from large deficits was bucked last week when they squandered a five-point lead in the last 15 minutes.
You bet:Cork are marginal outsiders at 5-4, with Kerry 9-10 and the draw 7-1.
On your marks:Hard to know where the starting line is for this. Last year for the All-Ireland semi-final replay the teams between them managed five changes to their announced selections. More expected this evening.
Gaining ground:This will be the third Munster replay that Páirc Uí Chaoimh has hosted in eight years. The previous two, in 2002 and '06, were finals and both were won by Cork, who have lost just one of the previous four meetings at their home venue.
Just the ticket:Tickets will be available on the approach roads to the ground tomorrow. Covered stand (€25) and uncovered stand (€20) tickets include a €5 reduction for the replay. Terrace are available at €20 and the usual other reductions will apply.
Crystal gazing:Kerry have the advantage of having played their first match last week and escaping with a poor performance. Jack O'Connor has, however, been forced into a radical team revision, with injuries to key players. Steadier Cork can finish the job.
Cork v Kerry:Venue: Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Throw In:5.0 Saturday
On TV:TV3
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