EirGrid All-Ireland U21 semi-final: Cork v Monaghan (today, 4.30pm, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, live on TG4)
IT doesn’t get much better for a Cork footballer, no matter what age or grade, than going down to Kerry for a Munster final and taking the scalp of their age-old rivals. A one-point victory courtesy of a dramatic late score deep into injury-time? Sounds just about perfect.
The flip side is, after such an incredible high, how do you scale those heights again just 10 days later?
That is the conundrum that has faced Cork U21 boss Sean Hayes since master-minding the Rebels’ glorious trip to Tralee on April 7, where substitute Cian Dorgan performed the final, thrilling act.
Of course they enjoyed getting one over on a Kingdom side tipped to go all the way, but the semi-final celebrations were barely under way before today’s tussle with Ulster champions Monaghan was given top priority.
“I suppose you have to enjoy that too – when you’re from Cork, beating Kerry down in Kerry in the Munster final doesn’t come around too often whether it’s senior, minor, U21 or whatever,” said the Nemo Rangers clubman.
“We had a very good first half and then they came back. There was a very strong wind and Kerry took over the second half, and when they went ahead we battled back and got the winning point and were unlucky not to get another one.
“It was our third game on the road – we had no match in Cork this year. We were in Clare, Waterford and Kerry to win our three games, so that makes it an extra special victory. What was most pleasing was that they were prepared to battle for the win and get it.
“It’s a great success and it must be enjoyed. But these guys understand that the next battle is the Monaghan game, we knew that after we played, and that they had to get back to earth pretty quickly.”
Quite apart from the quick turnaround from provincial decider to All-Ireland semi-final, a painful experience provides Hayes with another motivating factor.
Two years ago he took his Cork side to Portlaoise at the same stage not long after winning a fourth Munster title win in-a-row against Tipperary. Roscommon were their opponents.
Just as the Rebels did to Kerry less than a fortnight ago, the Rossies performed the perfect ambush at O’Moore Park, a brilliant free from Diarmuid Murtagh with the last kick of the game sending them into the final.
That memory has stayed with Hayes, and he hopes his players heed the warning.
“I think fellas will know you have to be up for this game as much as you are for the Kerry game,” he said.
“I know from watching Monaghan they will be strong and good so I have to make sure our players are ready for the battle.”
Peter Kelleher, who made a big impression with Peadar Healy’s senior footballers during the National League, could lead the Rebels’ attack today, but Hayes insists the current Cork U21 outfit is about much more than the talented Kilmichael forward.
He said: “No one man wins a game any more like.
“Without a doubt, it’s a help having a few experienced players. But it’s one to 15 really, you need your team and your panel because sometimes it’s the subs you bring on who can win the game for you.
“Hopefully we’ll see how strong we are on Saturday.”
