Cork must answer
BELIEVE in something and there is always a chance.
Don’t believe in it and you are unlikely to ever achieve it. Simple I know. Perhaps a little over simplistic to be fair, but if Cork’s players and management don’t believe they are capable of beating Limerick then they won’t.
If they don’t think they can win against Kerry in the provincial final then they won’t. If they believe they are in for a hiding then as sure as the sky is blue Cork will get one.
Belief is something that usually comes with winning and positive results and playing well but for Cork they are going to have to put the cart before the horse and get that belief before they can ever win the game.
Cork can’t lose to Limerick. Of that there is no doubt. If Cork lose to Limerick then the manager will likely be half way out the door before the teams have left Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night – with half the players not far behind so this weekend Cork have to believe they can win – really believe they will win and if they do then they will win.
Win Saturday then believe you can win the next one. One slip from that path and its curtains I presume. IT is sometimes hard to believe that people can question the passion and commitment of inter-county stars but from the terraces nothing is scared.
Cork’s footballers have been going through the ringer in recent years with their last provincial triumph coming all of seven years ago now but few if any of the paying customers that will spend their hard earned money following their team this year care one bit about that – and honestly why should they?
Cork need to get going this season and show the passion and drive that Cork teams have been known for over the years. Cork has rarely been able to call upon show-boaters for their squads, instead nearly always relying on hard work and passion to get them through and that is what is needed this time round again.
If Cork are to escape from this vicious cycle that prevails then everyone that dons the Blood and Bandage will need to show they deserve it, they want it. They have a passion for is. If Cork can get that passion back they have a chance. If players have that passion then perhaps it’s time to give someone else a go. MANAGER Ronan McCarthy has sounded all the right notes since taking up the posts as top man with the Cork senior football squad but this season people want actions and results to go with those positive vibes.
McCarthy has been loyal to his players and protected them as much as he could but this season the fans will want to see something to suggest that this oil tanker of a football county is starting to turn around.
McCarthy will need to be the off field captain of this ship and his decisions will need to make a difference as that is his job and if it doesn’t happen Cork will lose.
Cork football is at the precipice. Fans are looking elsewhere for their entertainment with the hurlers the obvious choice but if Cork football shows signs this year that improvement is coming then the fans will return, if they don’t then expect more empty seats – and there is one man that will always pay the price for that – and McCarthy knows that as much as the rest of us.
Positive vibes in the interviews are never a problem. We now need to see that on the line. Id rather go down swinging than just going down.