Cork GAA Discussion Thread

Looking forward to both games today and tomorrow.

Today we obviously go more in hope as Killarney a tough place to go and get a win. Realistically if we can keep it tight until near the end and not lose by more than 6, I think we will be doing well. Getting hammered and it feels like we are back to square one again. We are very inconsistent so its hard to know what will happen.

For tomorrow we are on the other side almost where I expect us to win. Waterford have a good team picked and are at home but they have one big problem. Its name is Davy. His weird gameplan will either work really well or fail miserably. Even if it works well, I think we will have more than enough to counteract it near the end. Having Connolly and Coleman back this year is like having 2 new players who you know are good.

Interesting to read that Pat Ryan brought in Ian Jones as S&C coach straight away after being knocked out last year and he has earmarked goals this year. Feels like he learned a lot from last year as he said he got it wrong last year before the Tipp game. They trained rather than having a break which might have been better. All lessons learned that should help things this year.

The home games are key for all counties and thats why I feel the pressure is on Waterford and Davy. If we can get a good start, they will get disheartened with Davy and his antics and then the home advantage becomes a burden. If they start fine, it will still be there if we get on top later. Our bench has some great options and this is where the game will be won for us. I don't think Waterford will be able to keep us out and if we get a few goals early they are in big trouble.

If you have not guessed by now, I don't think much of Davy and his tactics. Waterford should have got rid of him already but as was seen last year, he is likely to win one game so we have to make sure it is not us! Waterford have to be respected though as they have very good players.

If we can get this win on the board it will set us up nicely for the home games. Once we don't gift them opportunities and easy scores that will give them confidence, we will be ok. I hope to see us pulling away near the end and this is what I see happening.

Great to have Championship back on although don't get me started about GAAGO as that really annoys me!!

Cork 1-7 Kerry 0-9 HT. Started really well but Ķerry came into the game as it went on

Ladies football leading Waterford 1-5 to 03 at HT

Ladies football win 1-10 to 0-11

Kerry 0-15 Cork 1-11 59 minutes gone.

Second half went as expected really. We still don't have the squad depth to get over the line against Kerry. We literally ran out of steam.

In saying that the Ref in particular was very poor giving Kerry a good few frees that were just collisions. One where Clifford ran into a Cork defender and somehow got a free was the pick of them. You could actually argue he was the difference as we only lost by 3. He gave every 50-50 to Kerry. The free count was 17 to 9 in Kerrys favour

You would have to say we kept it within 6 points as I hoped so that was a good thing. It felt like that game will bring us on further as we know whats needed. Just a bit more squad depth of quality and we are nearly there.

All in all, not too bad and at least we gave them a good game and had a go. Encouraging signs at least.

These moral victories are no good lads. Fcuk that. How many times have we done this in the past v Kerry we can get so close but yet so far. Look at it for example Cork had a top team from 1989-92 and yet a poor Kerry team of 1991 and 1992 beat us. No excuses we aren't good enough and still continue to be the bridesmaids v Kerry.

That's why we don't win, because some people are happy in Cork to be within 3 points of Kerry. Cork have plenty of clubs and plenty of players more so than other counties. We should be beating Kerry more regularly with our player pool. The moral victories attitude needs to go, it's useless and Cork football will never progress if we don't ask the questions why we came up short against Kerry last two years.

Sorry but what are you talking about? You act as if someone isn't doing something they should be doing, all the time. Like someone didn't tell the lads to win the match. What questions need to be asked? We got hammered before and now we are competitive. The next step is to get over the line. Its about incremental steps to get there not a magic bullet.

No doubt you have the post ready for the hurlers when they get beaten too. This wailing as if someone isn't doing something is pathetic. You remind me of a guy I used to know, who would tell me I was useless all the time and then when I won something, was telling people that he always believed in me! There is one of these fellas everywhere, first to say things are crap and then first to claim credit as if they did something.

I actually said this to myself after the game. When will Seadin post his tantrum? Its about as regular as clockwork. Same old whinging as if people are happy to lose and you are the only one upset by it. You brought up teams from 1989 ffs Thats a lifetime ago. It is about the here and now.

Anyway I am looking forward to the hurling tomorrow as watching the football is nowhere near as good!

Sure if it was just about population areas of Dublin would be beating the rest of the counties...lack of hurling in Kerry helps to focus on football but it's alot more complex,, Kerry have a few exceptional players at the moment but that seems to be the norm, there's no simple answers,a big county creates problems, players from the west have to have a serious commitment to be involved ,the pool of players with higher abilities is narrowed by sport preference and location,funds, infrastructure etc.the list goes on.

It's a mental block too Shamo, they can't get over the line because it's the green and gold mentality. They certainly were good enough for large stages today and then they throw it away in the last 10 mins of the game when it REALLY matters. I look at Kerry's 1991 team that beat Corks best team ever and that Kerry team were bang average back then but they turned up and beat Cork on the day.

I'm trying to say it without you getting defensive is we have to stop these moral victories talk and start beating Kerry especially if they can stay with them for 60-65 mins.

If we can stay that long with them, then why can't we find what's needed to win? That's more important than being competitive.

...

I agree with you but beating Kerry and winning a Munster title might be a good start for this team.

As for the hurlers Im not expecting any miracles so will just watch and support them and hope for the best. Waterford will be difficult tomorrow to beat no doubt.

Getting the right people involved too is whats needed. McGuinness with Donegal is a leader and a winner with a very strong psychology background, who instils confidence into his players. We haven't had anyone like that in Cork ever I would say bar Billy Morgan. If we did we would have won more. I do think if Cork can turn this around they need to be getting up to division 1 as soon as possible.

I agree Cork don't produce enough top class forwards. I look at Kerry and no matter the circumstances they always produce outstanding forwards in any decade. To me that goes down to coaching at a young age and any players that have potential are coached properly there and it always shows.

With regards the hurling, In 2013 we could have stolen that All Ireland off yourselves (first game) but to be honest Clare were the better team on the two days and deserved the win. As for 2017 and 2018, cahalane sending off in 2017 didnt help but like I said before Cork too slow to make changes and paid the price. 2018 hurts the most. Having a 6 point lead against Limerick with ,9 mins to go and to fall apart like that definitely brought Cork hurling back a few years. If we had got to the final that year there was no guarantee we beat Galway but you have a chance when you are there.

2021 wasn't a great team especially when they left Kilkenny bring the semi final game to extra time after having the game almost won. Limerick destroyed us in the final. It was hard to see a bright future with Cork hurling after that defeat. So 2024 will be no different we will go in with hope but I won't be surprised if they don't make headway this year either. Not being negative like a certain poster described me but realistic with our chances.

Like being stuck in a time warp with Harnedy, Lehane and Horgan.