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Cork and Kerry teams before last summer's Munster final INPHO/James Crombie
McGrath Cup

Gaffer Chat – 5 questions for Cork’s Brian Cuthbert and Kerry’s Eamonn Fitzmaurice

The Rebels and the Kingdom meet in tomorrow afternoon’s McGrath Cup final in Mallow.

1. Early thoughts on the black card rule?

Brian Cuthbert:
“Both the referees that we’ve had so far have used common sense and have been very consistent with their approach. We can’t afford to have different referees interpreting in different ways. As long as there’s a common sense approach, I’ve no problem.

“I’ve noticed as well that the referees are talking to the players more in the game. They let them know if the players are sailing close to the wind and could get a black card. That level of education and instruction is good.”

Eamonn Fitzmaurice.

“Everyone has to be patient. These rules are coming from the right place. I don’t think the amount of cynical fouling was massive, apart from a couple of a major incidents last summer. It’s not the plague it’s made out to be. I’d be a fan for the new rules but I imagine there will be a couple of initial frustrations.”

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Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

2. Views on the advantage rule?

BC: “It’s only been once or twice that it’s come into play in our games so far. On one occasion we were in on goal, the player lost control of the ball, it was brought back and the free was put over the bar. I’ve heard of instances of it not being used well. That goes back to consistency of approach.”

EF: “The advantage rule is going to get some getting used to. If the advantage doesn’t accrue, the call has to be made quickly to pull it back. I just felt in the two games we’ve played that there have been some inconsistencies applied in it.”

3. Has the McGrath Cup been devalued this year by a lack of inter-county teams?

BC: “That’s really something that is outside our control. You play against the teams you’re up against. We entered the competition with the aim of getting three games. It didn’t bother me who we played as long as we got the three. Two weeks out from the start of the league, all that helps us.”

EF: “We knew from the start this year that there’d be a lack of inter-county opponents. Still I think it’s worked out well for us. We’ve faced colleges sides who would be at a decent level of fitness at this time of the year. The big thing for us is that we’ve a week off before the start of the league whereas last year we were straight into it and were under pressure.”

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The Kerry footballers warm down after last Sunday’s win over CIT
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

4. Where is your panel selection at for the 2014 season?

BC: “We announced a winter training panel back in November. Guys have come and gone since. The league panel then will be announced the week after next. We’ve been without 20 players who were involved with colleges.

“Another few are injured. Then Ray Carey is getting ready for an All-Ireland club semi-final. But we’ll be keeping all this open-ended during the year.”

EF: “We’ll be tight enough with the panel going into the league. We’re down the Dr Crokes players and a few more who are injured. I’d be reluctant to use the U21′s as well. I’d prefer to leave them with Darragh (Ó Sé) and we’ll have a look at them after. We don’t want to burn fellas out and we’d be hoping last year’s experience will stand to the younger lads.”

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The Cork footballers make their way out for the clash with LIT
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

5. A Cork and Kerry game in January. What does that mean to you?

BC: “It’s a good test for us as we’ve only played college teams so far. We’ve a slightly strong team for the McGrath Cup but Kerry still have seven or eight players from their championship team. It should bring a bit of a crowd and hopefully it’ll be a good game.”

EF: “Last year was unusual in the sense, we only played Cork twice – once in league and once in championship. You’d be expecting more meetings. I think it’s going to be a big step up for us but it should be a decent game.”

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