Still no sign of our starting fifteen for Sunday but Cork have this evening named their team for our NFL Division One clash at McHale Park (throw-in 2.30pm). Here it is:
Cork (NFL Division One v Mayo, 3/4/2011): Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown); Ray Carey (Clyda Rovers), Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown), Michael Shields ( St. Finbarr’s); Sean Kiely (Macroom), Noel O’Leary (Cill na Martra), Eoin Cadogan (Douglas); Alan O’Connor (St. Colum’s), James Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers); Fintan Goold (Macroom), Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig), Pearse O’Neill (Aghada); Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg), Fiachra Lynch (Valley Rovers), Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond).
This line-out shows four changes from the one which eked out that narrow win over Galway in their most recent NFL outing the weekend before last. Into the team for Sunday come Jamie O’Sullivan, Sean Kiely, James Fitzpatrick and Fiachra Lynch while out go Paudie Kissane, Denis O’Sullivan, Nicholas Murphy and the injured Colm O’Neill. There are also a few positional switches from the last day, notably amongst the backs.
This is still a Cork team that’ll arrive in Castlebar with plenty of Celtic crosses jangling in their pockets as nine of Sunday’s team also started against Down in Croke Park last September. It’s also a team that has nine survivors (not the same nine as played in the All-Ireland but close enough) from the side that thrashed us in last year’s league final, while only three of the shadow Cork team we beat down at Páirc Uí Chaoimh to qualify for that decider make it onto the teamsheet for Sunday. It would appear, then, that with this selection Conor Counihan isn’t giving us the free pass he tossed in our direction down by the Lee last year.
I think we have agood chance againt this Cork team. I was encouraged by the fightback the last day againt Dublin. If the team can get a result against Cork it could do wonders for their confidence so ts all to play for.
One thing that has struck with me from the last day was is that our backs are playing too nice.
Shipping goals have cost us big time so far in the League so all appropriate action to make them more difficult to get is the only option that our FB line has to take.
If a big FF gets the ball and turns with a chance to shoot for a goal then the right thing to do is take him out and possibly sacrifice a penalty. Penalties in Gaelic are not the same as in soccer. The ball is a lot harder. Its further out and the goal is a lot smaller than its soccer conterpart.
If we concede the penalty so be it but make them fight tooth and nail to get that ball into the net.
That probably won’t be the Cork starting team – Patrick Kelly and Donnacha O’Connor will probably be out injured, with two of Kerrigan, Kieran O’Driscoll or David Goold coming in.
Any idea of ticket price on the gate?
Dunno – I think it’s twelve or thirteen for the stand, a tenner for the concrete seating but I’m not 100% sure on that.
Cheers WJ – hope to get down tomorrow.
usually €10 for the terrace and €13 for the stand, although i think its only the stand thats open? (more cash to be collected on the day;-)