Cork hold their form through the phases

ON THE premise that Cork are about to disrupt the Tyrone-Kerry dominance of Gaelic football this Sunday, a look at how they have learned to effectively divide their season into two separate blocks is required.

As Dublin seek a change in championship structures to combat their inability to peak twice during a summer-autumn campaign, Cork finally arrive into an All-Ireland semi-final as genuine contenders.

The Munster championship performances back in June covered phase one, but, unlike the Leinster champions, they now seem primed to replicate this form in August and into September.

It’s something only the aforementioned All-Ireland champions have managed since Armagh last broke the duopoly back in 2002.

Part one of the Cork season ended with the narrow, fortunate even, defeat of Limerick in the provincial final on June 5th. Part two began with the ruthless dismissal of Donegal (1-27 to 2-10) on August 2nd. It is the lull in matches that others have struggled to come to terms with.

Kerry, this season, and Tyrone, last season, have both been better served by the early loss and subsequent qualifier route.

“I suppose it is two parts,” said Cork manager Conor Counihan. “A lot of the performances in the early part of the year count for nothing now.”

So, where Dublin failed to regain peak form against Kerry, Cork managed to hit the ground running against Donegal in their quarter-final. Explain?

“We don’t know the true form of that really,” continued Counihan. “Donegal didn’t perform to their abilities on the day, so I don’t really know where our form is.”

There lies the crux of this conundrum. The way championship structures are laid out, with an adherence to the traditional provincial systems running parallel to the qualifiers, successful teams in June are forced to keep their powder dry for up to eight weeks in some instances.

Dublin have plainly struggled with this gap for the past two seasons – whether their preparations are at fault or mentally they struggle with the pressure knockout football brings.

Cork may have nurtured enough talent into maturity to combat the challenge of the current All-Ireland champions on Sunday. James Masters’ current isolation is proof of this assertion. For several seasons leading up to 2008, contain Masters and Cork’s scoring power tended to wilt.

The Nemo Rangers marksman did sustain a knee injury last week in training, but he was not used against Donegal with under-21 captain Colm O’Neill deemed more effective at full forward.

When Counihan shuffled the deck that day, Fintan Goold, Michael Cussen, John Hayes, Paudie Kissane and Fiachra Lynch all came in. “He is available to take part,” was all Counihan would state on the Masters matter.

Point is, Cork now possess a group of forwards sufficiently armed to rival Tyrone and Kerry (and this was already proved in the Munster semi-final).

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte can dip into his reservoir and produce Brian McGuigan amongst others.

Also, Cork appear – and this must be confirmed on Sunday – to be over the Croke Park issues of previous campaigns.

“I don’t know,” says an understandably cautious manager. “I suppose we went up last year with an attitude not too different to this year. Okay, we had won the National League (Division Two) this year, but I suppose every year we hope to build our confidence and this year is no different.”

The last time Cork and Tyrone met in the championship was the 1973 All-Ireland semi-final, so there is precious history between the current panels. No baggage to speak of.

“These two teams wouldn’t have met a whole pile. We’ve met in the National League, but, sure, this is a whole new ball game.”