IN Cork we are born with an inexplicable superiority complex fostered by a culture of sporting success. You’ll be glad to hear that football is the one sport where we have an inferiority complex. I can’t remember our last Sam and you might think I shouldn’t complain as I haven’t had to endure the torment of a Limerick GAA fan.
However this weekend we won’t take our eye off the ball like we did in last year’s Munster final. A Limerick man told me the other day that Cork’s biggest downfall was a surplus of good players. These are the same players who showed no respect to Limerick last year, but after this year’s Munster Final they will take a different approach.
We all know about the impact of captain Graham Canty and forward Daniel Goulding have on the Cork team. Conor Counihan is spoilt for choice when it comes to strong young players here are the two to watch out for at the Gaelic Grounds.
Aidan Walsh (Kanturk, Midfield) the 20 year-old who is one of Cork football’s brightest stars burst into the side during the successful league campaign this year. Capped off by a starring role in the League final against Mayo. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough, 21, Corner forward) so impressive was the captain of last year’s All-Ireland winning U-21 team he was drafted into the senior team for the All-Ireland Semi Final. The powerful forward made a big impact against Tyrone and earned his place for the All- Ireland Final.
To be honest I hope Limerick win on Saturday because I don’t want to endure the annual torrent of abuse I get from the Kerry lads when we eventually lose to them late in the summer. I come from football country (we don’t have the hurling pitches the closer you get to Kerry) and it pains me that we are now nearly men year after year.
This is the best group of Cork players since 1990 and they have All-Ireland pedigree, unfortunately there’s a slight problem, Kerry. After watching them fannying about on the pitch after Paul Galvin in Killarney there is no sign of this group shaking their Kerry complex in the near future. I’m convinced a Flatleyesque Galvin dances around in the Cork lad’s dreams juggling dusters and kicking points.
Despite consistent underage success; 20 years on from the only double in GAA history there will be no Munster title in either code in 2010 but hopefully we’ll pick up an All-Ireland somewhere.
