CORK AND GALWAY go face to face in the Cadbury’s All-Ireland U21 football final on Saturday night in the Gaelic Grounds.
Between them the two counties have claimed four of the last eight titles.
Here’s the thoughts of Cork boss John Cleary and Galway manager Alan Flynn.
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JOHN CLEARY (CORK)
5. Three of your players started Cork’ s first two senior league games but since then they have focused on U21 matters. How important is it to have that exclusive access?
“I’ve a very good relationship with Conor (Counihan) and we’ve a system in place that’s worked very well. At the start of every year, we sit down and plan ahead. He lists what he requires and I try to fall in behind that.
“I know other counties try to mix it up by their players being involved in senior and U21. But it’s a huge help to have them exclusively. They’ve so much else going on between club U21 and Sigerson games. Conor is able to reap the rewards at a later stage.”
4. Hanging on for a one point win against Cavan in the All-Ireland semi-final was similar to Cork’s Munster first round tie against Kerry. Any concern about those nervy finishes?
“The two games were very similar with the way the momentum swung against us. The goal changed everything against Cavan while Kerry got their period of dominance late on.
“With our backs against the wall, on both occasions we worked up the ball up the field. We’ve got to work on firing it home when we get into a position for a victory. I think the longer we have gone we have improved as players get more used to playing with each other in a championship mode.”
3. With five players (Tomas Clancy, Jamie Wall, John O’Rourke, Dan McEoin and Conor O’Sullivan) in college in Limerick and Brian Hurley based in Carlow, how difficult is it to get the players together?
“We do a lot of the training in Mallow which isn’t far from Limerick and we did just one night a week in the early parts of the the year. Tuesday night was our dedicated night and we focused on fitness.
“The Limerick based lads have been very committed and Brian comes down from Carlow as well. Since the Munster final we’ve been doing two nights a week. We keep fellas fresh and try to be sensible in our approach.”
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
2. In your six years as U21 manager, you’ve claimed to date four Munster titles and one All-Ireland. What’s underpinned that run of success?
“First of all the players are there. They’re committed and they’re talented. With the playing numbers and resources that are there, Cork should have a good U21 team every year.
“Secondly we’re pretty well organised as we’ve been there involved for a few years. We know the schedule very well, know the problems that could cut across us and are not surprised by anything.
1. Did you get a chance to have a look at Galway’s semi-final against Kildare?
“I watched the first 20/25 minutes of the first-half but then I had to focus on our game with Cavan. I’ve looked at the full match on DVD since then.
“We’ve played them over the years and they’ve always been good football teams. I don’t think our players will be found wanting on determination and will to win but they’ll need to perform.”
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Galway manager Alan Flynn
INPHO/James Crombie
ALAN FLYNN (GALWAY)
5. Managing the Galway U21’s and being selector for the senior side must make for a hectic schedule?
“It’s very busy at the moment but there is a bit of leeway. We only have three players – Fiontain Ó Curraoin, Tom Flynn and Shane Walsh – involved with the senior squad.
“I was U21 selector in 2010 and 2011, and then came on board with Alan (Mulholland) in the senior side last year. This is my first season in charge of the U21’s then.”
4. You’ve roped in a few well-known Galway All-Ireland senior winners in Declan Meehan and Paul Clancy as part of the management setup. How have they fitted in?
“They give a great example. They’re not the type of characters who talk about their own achievements in winning All-Ireland’s as they’ll remind the players that they’ll go through bad days as well. The players obviously look up to them.
“Declan has been involved a good bit with Galway underage teams at U14 and U16 level. Paul then was involved with the Dublin IT Fresher and Sigerson sides, and Garrycastle. He got relocated with work which enabled him to get involved with us.”
3. Peadar Óg Gríofa tearing his cruciate was an injury setback but Tom Flynn’s return must have been a boost?
“For Peadar Óg it was a big personal blow because he missed a lot of the senior campaign last year through injury as well. He did the cruciate before the start of this year’s U21 campaign but he has a good attitude and will bounce back.
“Tom was coming right by the time we played the Connacht final after a nasty cartilage injury which took nearly 8 months to recover from. He came on against Roscommon and then started against Kildare. He’s worked really hard and after being part of the team that won in 2011, it’s a big boost to have him back.”
Galway’s Tomas Flynn in action in the 2011 All-Ireland U21 final.
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
2. Players in the Galway squad are based in colleges around the country. Does that make it difficult to prepare?
“We’ve about a third of the squad away from home between colleges in Dublin, a few in IT Sligo and one in Carow IT. We’re in a far better position than other counties in that a lot of our lads go to the Galway colleges, NUIG and GMIT.
“We train in Loughgeorge near Claregalway but we’d be smart and wouldn’t put as much pressure on the lads early in the season. As the year goes on, we try to get them back down to us once a week for training.”
1. Two years ago Galway shocked a fancied Cork side. What do you make of the latest Rebel representatives?
“Cork have a habit of producing very strong U21 teams. They’ve a very experienced manager that has been there for a long time. A lot of their players have been through the mill as well so it’s going to be a huge test.
“They’ve a very strong forward line and five players who have won three Munster titles. They’ve a few very strong options off the bench as well. But we’re really looking forward to it.”
