Conor Counihan isn't partaking of three-in-a-row talk.

Counihan's Cork are bidding for a third successive Division One title when they face Mayo in the final at Croke Park on Sunday, but the Rebels boss says the previous two successes are irrelevant as far as this weekend's match is concerned:

"It's not about three-in-a-row - it's about this one-in-a-row," he comments in Friday's Irish Times. "It's a national title, and we would love to win it.

"But there were stages during the league where we did start poorly. Maybe the last game or two things have improved in that area.

"The reality for us is that our performances haven't been consistent from game to game. We tend to get on top and then sit back. We need to drive on once we get on top, keep the momentum for as long as possible."

Counihan adds that the revised 2012 national football league format - with four semi-final places available - has been a resounding success:

"I think overall the league has been interesting. We tried to use as many players as possible, while still keeping one eye on qualifying. All teams had an opportunity to try more players because you knew there were two extra spots there to keep you in contention.

"From an outside point of view the last round of games everyone was hanging in - some on the basis of being relegated, others for making the last four, so everybody was interested. So whether it worked by accident or design this year it has been very successful in keeping people interested and involved." Tweet

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