KILLARNEY NOT ISSUE FOR CORK HERO DAVE
VENUE
CORK sporting legend Dave Barry understands why the Rebel management are determined to play Kerry at Pairc Ui Rinn – but the double All-ireland winner says he would have gone to Killarney.
Pairc Ui Chaoimh is unavailable due to works on the pitch following two Ed Sheeran concerts at the venue.
Cork rejected an attempt to move the game to Fitzgerald Stadium, with the offer of two home games against Kerry on the bounce. “Personally I’d have gone down to Killarney,” said Barry.
“Cork have a very young side. Keith Ricken has added under-21s and under-20 level players and tried to integrate them at senior. Keith won’t be there (tonight) unfortunately for health reasons. “Having played in Killarney, the experience you get going down there with the crowd and that, playing Championship games outside the county as well, I think that helps you.
“Especially this side, they are only developing. I think it would be a big call to beat Kerry.
“The experience going down there, and then two home games would have been beneficial to them.
“If I was a selector in my first year you want to take any benefit you can get and playing in a smaller ground, rather than going down to Kerry, would probably help the team.
“I don’t know did the players have much say in it.”
In many eyes Cork have put themselves under pressure to really perform this evening with a sell-out 11,000 crowd anticipated.
“All the talk in all the news was that it was the player’s call,” said Barry.
“I don’t know about that. If they are after making that call and wanted it in Pairc Ui Rinn, you better perform.
“They are after putting their head on the block and saying, ‘Look, we can take ‘em in Pairc Ui Rinn.’
“This is Championship football. You have to turn up on the day. Look, it’s a big ask – a young Cork side. We’ll all be down cheering them on.
“Kerry, this team have been developing for three or four years and haven’t really fulfilled their potential. “As the years go on, they are getting a bit more mature and I think they’ll be able to handle the pressure more.
“This Kerry team definitely could go all the way.”