The players’
“Some are just having a go. There are those with good knowledge and understanding of the game. You mightn’t agree but you’ve got to make a judgement on it. Some analysis is fair, others just noise and people wanting to be heard. You’ve got to detach yourself from that.”
“I liken it to a father-in-law at a wedding, when not everyone wants to listen to him, but he’s going to have the mike at some stage. The same principle applies. Some put thought it into it. I look at these things and ask what solutions are these people providing? It’s easy to say this is wrong and that is wrong, but what solution are you providing and a lot of time it’s not anything.
“The advice to the players would be to stay off social media and if they follow that they won’t get too fazed either way, whether the comments are favourable or otherwise.”
Cork have home advantage this weekend (Páirc Uí Rinn) but recently Cork’s form has been more impressive away from Leeside, which is a little puzzling to the Douglas man. I wanted to play in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Obviously if we get over the semi, we are going to be
“I can’t answer the question why our results are better on the road. We’ve taken two points from fourteen at home and nine away from fourteen. Is there a reason for that? I don’t know. If there is an issue we’re going to have to try and work through it. There does seem to be a trend, but I don’t know why.
“Some could legitimately say it is an issued based on the last two years. Is it something I’m going to make a big deal of? No.
“Some people thought it was the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh but we’re well used to playing in Páirc Uí Rinn. I don’t believe we can get too focused on it because it will come right eventually.”
With the possibly that there is some underlying issue that McCarthy is unaware of regarding Cork’s inability to garner positive home results lately one might think that the manager would be delighted to be playing the game with Limerick at Páirc Uí Rinn, but McCarthy is far from pleased at the venue selection for this one.
“I wanted to play in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Obviously, if we get over the semi, we are going to be playing in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. They are only small advantages, but if they are there, you take them. If you asked me my preference, I would like us to play in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as much as we can.”
Regardless of venue, Cork will look to start their campaign in style this weekend with anything other than a solid win sure to heap more pressure on the already overburdened Rebels.