“We’ve served our time at school of hard knocks”

Cork selector John Corcoran

13 September 2007

Having endured more than their fair share of disappointment in recent years, Cork have finally made it back to the All-Ireland football final and they are determined to make the most of the opportunity as selector John Corcoran explains to Randal Scally.

There’s a refreshing honestly about Cork selector John Corcoran when he talks about the county’s first appearance in the All-Ireland football final since 1999. Unlike many of his peers, he doesn’t beat about the bush and certainly doesn’t go out of his way to play down his team’s chances. He says it as he sees it.

Corcoran has acted as spokesman for the Cork team this year and it’s easy to see why. He talks a lot of sense and knows the Cork football scene inside out. Off the top of his head, he could tell you any score from any game of significance that was played in the county in the recent past. You could say he’s an expert in Cork football.

The St. Mary’s, Ballineen clubman is clearly revelling in the build-up to the Sam Maguire Cup decider and can think of no better position to be in as our so-called summer makes way for autumn. “This is what it’s all about, preparing for an All-Ireland final. It’s what you dream of and there are 30 other counties who’d love to be in the same position as we’re in at the moment,” he says.

Corcoran is immensely proud of the Cork players, something which only comes from having shared in the highs and lows over the past three years. Having lost successive semi-finals to old rivals Kerry in 2005 and 2006, it was a case of third time lucky in their recent clash with Meath when they produced a dominant display to win by 10 points and move within 70 minutes of a first All-Ireland success in 17 years.

Huge question marks had hung over Cork’s All-Ireland credentials before the meeting with the Royals after they had failed to sparkle in earlier rounds against Louth and Sligo, but their five-star performance left nobody in any doubt that they will be serious contenders for the Sam Maguire on September 16.

“After losing the two previous semi-finals, it’s marvellous to be finally here. The players were subjected to a lot of negative comment after the two previous rounds, and it was very satisfying to see them answer their critics in the manner that they did against Meath. I was delighted for them – they are the most dedicated bunch I’ve ever come across.

“We did what we had to do against Louth and Sligo, and then upped it for the Meath game. I was very happy with the performance.”

John believes there is a maturity about the Cork team that may have been lacking in previous years. “We’re beginning to come of age as a team and what you’re seeing now is the culmination of three or four years’ hard work. We weren’t that far off the mark last year when you consider we won the Munster title and reached the All-Ireland semi-final where we were without Graham Canty and also lost Michael Shiels through injury during the game.

“These lads have served their time at the school of hard knocks and they want it bad. Cork have played in the last two All-Ireland under 21 finals as well and you’re beginning to see fellas from those teams now starting to make their mark at senior level.

“There is also a reserve of fitness there now and you could see that in the closing stages of the Meath game when the players were still full of running. We were much fitter than Meath and some of the points that were fisted over (five in all) could have been goals if we really needed them.”

Prior to the All-Ireland semi-final, the Cork forwards had come in for much criticism but in the absence of leading scorer James Masters, they stepped up to the plate and all but four points of their 1-16 tally came from play.

“Our forwards showed what they are capable of the last day and even with James missing, I was always confident they would do the business. They’ve been putting up big scores all year and did so again against Meath. This is a team game and it doesn’t matter where the scores come from so long as they come.”

Corcoran reveals that the Rebels had their sights set on All-Ireland glory at the start of the year and while they were disappointed to lose the Munster final to Kerry, they got over it quickly.

“We have a strong panel and our aim starting out this year was to win the All-Ireland by whatever means. Obviously, we were very disappointed to lose to Kerry – we were unlucky in that Derek Kavanagh should have been awarded a penalty in the dying minutes after we had come from six points down to draw level.

“But once it was over, we knew we were still in the All-Ireland race and were just one round of the championship behind Kerry. We knuckled down and have got ourselves back on track as far as the All-Ireland is concerned.”

John is confident that Cork can put two big performances together and that they can bring the Sam Maguire Cup back to Leeside for the first time since 1990.

“I’ve no doubt in my mind that there is another big performance in this team. It doesn’t matter to us whether we’re favourites or underdogs. The lads are mature enough and level-headed enough to deal with any situation.

We’ll be saying to the lads before they go out the same thing as we’ve been saying to them all year – stick to your game-plan and keep your discipline. They’ve done everything that has been asked of them up until now and I can’t see that changing for the final.”

Corcoran explains that since he and the rest of the management team of Billy Morgan, Ted Owens, Ger O’Sullivan and Jim Nolan took charge in 2004, they have been working towards this goal.

“It has been very heartening to see the improvement in the team in that time. Yes, there have been setbacks along the way, but to have suffered is the best medicine any team could get. It’s a great feeling to be preparing for an All-Ireland final and we can’t wait for the ball to be thrown in at this stage.

“I wouldn’t have any worries about the lads being fazed by the occasion. If anything, I think it will inspire them.”

John concludes by saying: “We’ve left no stone unturned and we certainly believe we can win this All-Ireland. The players are in peak condition, are full of confidence and I honestly don’t think we’ll get a better chance to bring Sam back to Cork.”