Sport

Wary Rebels' policy of containment not likely to hold sway

GAA SFC Cork v Kerry: THERE WILL presumably have to come a time when Cork's serial traumas against Kerry in the All-Ireland …

SEÁN MORAN GAA Correspondent
Sat Jul 05 2008 - 01:00

GAA SFC Cork v Kerry:THERE WILL presumably have to come a time when Cork's serial traumas against Kerry in the All-Ireland series will impact on their general competitiveness in Munster.

That moment seems to have arrived in the public consciousness with the marked reluctance to get worked up over this. Local radio featured running complaints about the restrictive size of the seats in Páirc Uí­ Chaoimh and one gloomy official said there was a danger of the Cork-Dublin hurling qualifier out-pulling tomorrow's provincial football final.

It will hardly come to that but the unreliability of the provincial form at the sharp end of the season isn't helping the sense of anticipation.

Last September was an outstanding opportunity for Cork football to redefine its relationship with Kerry - and the champions knew it. But in the nervy exchanges that characterised the opening phases of the All-Ireland final it was Kerry who appeared to appreciate better the urgency and possibilities of the situation.

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Since then, Cork have been through the winter of discontent and the late appointment of Conor Counihan as manager. Pragmatic and cautious, Counihan is likely to feel most strongly the imperative to prevent another meltdown and the selection reflects that.

Geared towards maximising possession around the middle and shutting off the sort of space between defenders in which Kerry have thrived, Cork's line-up doesn't look to be prioritising the accumulation of a winning total.

The full-forward line of Goulding, O'Connor and Hayes has its merits but they will carry a heavy burden given the outside line is so configured for ball-winning rather than shooting.

Pat O'Shea will be watching carefully to gauge the impact of the absence of his two best breaking ball operatives, suspended captain Paul Galvin and the injured Declan O'Sullivan.

There are a couple of reasons to favour Kerry in these circumstances: one, Bryan Sheehan's free taking is impressively reliable from up to around 40 metres and maybe beyond and two, their goal threat is potentially sizeable, even if Kieran Donaghy has had an unsettled start to the year, having been left off the team the last day, and Colm Cooper's revs counter isn't yet roaring.

Cork are expected to shore up the defence by dropping an extra man back to block up the spaces near goal and maybe freeing Graham Canty - who's expected to play despite the injury reports earlier in the week - to act as sweeper.

Derek Kavanagh is the likely choice, given his experience at full back - even if the encounter with Donaghy in the All-Ireland semi-final two years ago was a punishing afternoon.

Another concern for Cork is the new arrivals since last year are still unproven. Michael Shields' departure for Australia has deprived the side of a promising defender, and newcomers Diarmuid Duggan and Brian O'Regan have yet to acclimatise fully to championship demands.

CORK:A Quirke; D Duggan, G Canty, K O'Connor; B O'Regan, G Spillane, A Lynch; D Kavanagh, A O'Connor; N Murphy, P O'Neill, S O'Brien; D Goulding, D O'Connor, J Hayes. KERRY:D Murphy; M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; T Ó Sé, A O'Mahony, K Young; D Ó Sé, S Scanlon; D Walsh, E Brosnan, S O'Sullivan; C Cooper, K Donaghy, B Sheehan.

Referee:Derek Fahy (Longford)

GUIDELINES
In the last episode:Cork's shattering defeat in the All-Ireland final confirmed a trend that has seen the county completely outstripped by Kerry in the All-Ireland series despite perennially competitive encounters in Munster. Last year's provincial final was a tight win for Kerry and the year before it was a replay victory for Cork.

You bet:Cork are a lengthy 3-1 and Kerry a prohibitive 4-11, with the draw at 15-2. The handicap is a tight +3 with Cork 11-10 and Kerry (-3) 10-11.

On your marks:As ever, these past couple of years the big question is Kieran Donaghy. Will Cork stifle the flow of possession into the full forward or can an anticipated double act of Kavanagh and Canty go manos a mano with him on the edge of the square?

Gaining ground:Páirc Uí Chaoimh has hosted all Cork's - three - Munster title wins since 1995, although the last two have come after replays in Killarney (2002 and '06).

Just the ticket:Roll up, roll up. Tickets will be available on the approach roads to the ground tomorrow. Covered stand tickets (€35) are expected to be in limited supply but uncovered stand (€30) and terrace (€20) will also be available.

Crystal gazing:Given Kerry's problems on the half-forward line this is a match with prospects for Cork but it's hard to see them getting the necessary scores so the champions should still hold that status by tomorrow evening.