David Moran rises for the ball in last year’s league encounter with Cork in Tralee. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gavin O’Connor (who correctly predicted a two point win for Kerry last weekend) says Cork will be out for revenge this Sunday in the Allianz National League Round 4 game at Páirc Uí Rinn…
THE last time Kerry and Cork met, the Rebels were left licking their wounds as Kerry inflicted a devastating 12 point defeat to collect the Munster title once more.
Kerry had caught Cork on the hop, who maybe thought the old foe would be less of a handful after dispatching them with a 10 point victory in the final game of the National League.
You would expect Cork manager, Brian Cuthbert, will have his homework done this time around.
There’s only one change to the Kerry team since the win over Dublin – Barry John Keane regains his place in the full-forward line after impressing coming off the bench and kicking two scores last week.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice, has maintained the same defensive lineup for the league so far. Last week, there was some stand-out performers in Kerry’s rearguard, the unit noticeably moving up a few gears since that sluggish start to the campaign against Mayo a month ago.
The standout performers against Dublin were the now settled midfield pairing of David Moran and Anthony Maher who will be go up against Cork’s Fintan Goold and Eoin Cadogan, who has made the switch from defence to centre field.
Cuthbert took a lot of heat after the Munster Final for being tactically naive and not having his team hit the park with the required levels of intensity.
After such a disappointing championship campaign, Cork have made a solid start to league. Two wins, and one loss – the same as Kerry.
The only defeat came in a narrow one point loss to Donegal in Ballyshannon. If Cuthbert’s preparation was found to be lacking the last time they played Kerry, it can’t be said for the trip up north last week.
In what was a game marred by an abhorrent amount of hand-passes, they matched Donegal at their own shtick and nearly walked away with something out of a very tricky fixture.
So far, the current top-scorer in the league is Colm O’Neill, who has sustained not one, not two, but three cruciate ligament injuries in recent years.
It takes some spirit to keep bouncing back each time not to mind when he does he seems to pick up where he left off, playing fantastic football.
Looking at this game it’s as always a hard one to call. Cork were hurt badly after the drubbing they received last year. They are much closer to Kerry then 12 points and they will be gunning to set the record straight.
Having the drive is one thing, but along with some soul-searching on Leeside, they laid down plans which have made them a flexible side tactically, as is required in the age of blanket defence and heavy analysis.
Thankfully, Kerry’s games so far this year have been open affairs, but I think that may come to an end on Sunday. Surely lessons learned from last year will mean Cork will want to put the shackles on Kerry having honed a defensive style.
If it comes to that, Eamonn Fitzmaurice is well able to play that game also.
Verdict – Draw
Throw-in 2pm. Deferred coverage on TG4.
