Footballers put it all on the line against Donegal
Cork v Donegal
FOR those of you that believe winning is everything then you will be delighted with Cork’s senior footballers bagging their first competitive league win of the season over Tipperary two weekends ago.
The Lee-siders have come in for unprecedented levels of criticism in recent months with all in sundry calling for a root and branch overhaul of a setup that few could argue has been firing on all cylinders.
The three-point win over a Tipperary side that would have fancied their chances of all but relegating the Rebels to Division 3 is far from what many would call a turning point however a win is a win is a win and Cork are, thanks to the most recent success, back in the hunt to retain their place in Division 2 – something that really did look unlikely just seven days ago.
Of course, there are difficulties in the Cork camp, if there wasn’t then they wouldn’t be where they are right now, but sometimes in sport it appears that regardless of what you try you just can’t break a negative cycle.
For Cork, the win over Tipp may well be a seminal moment but one moment on its own won’t be enough to sort this current slump out – that said every revival needs a spark, something to light the fire of belief and instil confidence and maybe, just maybe, that came in the most unlikely of places for this once mighty football county.
The win over the Premier County may well mean nothing at the end of this season or it may mean everything come the end of the year. Cork need to build on the win and that opportunity comes this Saturday.
Cork supporters will hope that their side is getting back on something like the right road however they will need to step it up another level this weekend if they are to bag something from what will be a huge test for the men in red.
At the start of this campaign Donegal would have been seen as the favourites to bag promotion from the second tier however circumstances, and some poor performances, has meant that the Ulster Championship side currently sit just third in the table, but despite not firing on all cylinders they are still just two points behind Fermanagh and Meath who currently occupy the promotion places.
Donegal need a win at Páirc Uí Rinn this Saturday if they are to stay in touch with the league leaders with a loss likely to end their promotion ambitions for another year.
Donegal had to go deep two weeks ago to see off an Armagh side that came to dig in and while the men in orange looked well on their way to a very competitive challenge Donegal would ultimately take the spoils thanks in the main to their star man Michael Murphy, who came in off the bench to score an
all-important 1-2.
Murphy will likely start in Páirc Uí Rinn as he gets prepared for the latter stages of the league and the early exchanges of Championship football. The roving forward will cause problems for Cork and will likely test the best of what the Rebels have in their defensive setup.
Michael Langan, Niall O’Donnell and Ciarán Thompson may also have a part to play with Caolan McGonagle, Oisín Gallen and Jamie Brennan another trio with something to prove.
Hugh McFadden and Jason McGee may well hold court in the middle third with James Morgan, Caolan Ward and Aaron McKay others likely to make an impact. For the home side Ian Maguire will again feature in the middle with the chances of Killian O’Hanlon joining him good.
Mark Collins, Luke Connolly and Ruairí Deane will bring plenty to the half-forward line, while Michael and Brian Hurley favourites to join Paul Kerrigan on the front line.
At the back, Ronan McCarthy seems to have plenty faith in Mallow’s Mattie Taylor after some really good displays this season with Tomás Clancy (Fermoy) and Kieran Crowley good options at half-back.
Looking at the potential starting 15 for Cork it really is hard to see where it has all gone wrong up to now with seriously talented stars scattered all over the camp. This Saturday another 20 players will face up to Donegal from the first throw in with star man Seán Powter sure to make a significant impact either from the bench or from a starting berth.
Powter is the name on most people’s lips since getting injured back in January 18 and, while we have got a few glimpses to whet the appetite this season, most football fans can’t wait to see what the former contender for young footballer of the year can bring to this particular party.
Heading into a crunch match like the one facing Cork this weekend it would be easy to say that the Rebels need a quick start, they need to hit the ground running, they need to show the visiting side who’s boss however
Powter is the name on most people’s list since getting injured back in Jaunary 18
the reality of how to win this tie is much more complicated than that.
Cork may have won against Tipp, but they still aren’t anywhere close to what McCarthy would have been looking for. Donegal will bring much more to this game than Cork have faced all season and Cork will need to react. Confidence is always key, but if Cork are to win this one it will be more about hanging in there than powering past.
Cork need to stay in touch until well after the break, they need to limit Murphy’s chances and they need to keep their own side of the scoreboard ticking over. Cork need to be adventurous without being reckless. They need to get Ian Maguire on the ball running from deep and they need him to link well with the goal getters.
If Cork are to win this one they will need at least two goals – of that I have little doubt. Donegal will likely outscore the home side on the scoring chances side and even though they are away from home they are probably going to have more of the ball. Territory could easily be shared with plenty activity in the middle of the field guaranteed.
All signs point to another bad day at the office for Cork, but something in me says Cork by two. If Cork can keep it tight, use their subs well and get their forwards moving I can see them win a close-run thing. If they fall behind early I see a long day at the office for a side that could do with some spring time cheer right about now.
Verdict: Cork