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Rebel

Cork's JBM on relegation, dummy teams and Darren Sweetnam's rugby career

Jimmy Barry-Murphy takes his charges into action against Clare in next Sunday’s Munster semi-final in the Gaelic Grounds.

1. Injuries to key players

“It’s very disappointing for the three players. I always make the point about injuries that you can’t do anything about them. They’re very good players but we won’t be hanging our heads. You can talk until the cows come home but you have to get on with it.

“We left a number of players go from last year’s panel and we’re developing the panel again this year. We hope we’ve done the right thing and I hope the Clare game proves that.”

2. Suffering league relegation

“Nobody likes to be relegated. You could do without that because there’s a certain tag that goes with it. I’ve been there before and I know what it’s like to have to build up again from that.

“We played quite well in the league, though you could argue there were certain games we should have closed out. Dungarvan was one and Nowlan Park being another. We learned quite a lot from it but it was clouded over by being relegated.

“Our fitness levels would be a lot higher now than they were in the national league. Last year we felt we were at a much higher level of fitness during the league, but this year we’re tapering it better for the championship.

“Being relegated doesn’t worry me because it can give you breathing space to build up with young players in a less pressurised environment.”

Cork’s Patrick Horgan and Cathal Naughton tackle Brendan Bugler of Clare
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

3. The challenge posed by Clare

“What’s impressed me about Clare the three times I’ve seen them is that they’ve finished their games very strongly, which is always a great sign of a team. They’re quite young, very well coached. I’m not going to over-praise them because people will think I’m hyping them up. I’m not.

“They’ve been very good and they’ve built on their U21 victory of last year. Against Waterford they showed great resolve, great willpower to show they’re going to see out games. That’s a great credit to them.”

4. Gaelic Grounds as a venue

“I liked it myself as a player and a coach, though Cork people aren’t as fond of it as they are of Thurles for historical reasons. It’s closer to Clare and they’ll have a big following.

“I hope we’ll have a big following but the Cork public, let’s be honest, are probably a bit sceptical about our chances. That often impinges on the crowd travelling, but that’s nothing to do with us. We’ll give it a right go.”

Cork boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

5. Limerick’s shock win over Tipperary

“They’ve blown it wide open. We’re not looking past the Clare game but for us, Clare and Limerick there’s a new path to Croke Park, put it that way. I didn’t see that coming. I thought Tipperary would have too much for them but I got it wrong.

“Limerick showed the power of the occasion, and players rising to the occasion, and what that can do for a team. Limerick were fantastic in the way they approached the Tipp game and their substitutions were vital. Fair play to John Allen and the lads on the line, they got that right.”

6. Dummy team selections

“I’m not getting hung up on that. From a media point of view I don’t know how you get on getting teams from various camps. You go to a Champions League final or FA Cup final you get a beautiful programme with the squad in the middle of it. I wouldn’t see any problem with doing that.

“What Liam Dunne did he’s entitled to, I don’t think it makes a difference personally but I suppose traditionally people like to chat about the teams during the week. Equally I feel people are sceptical about the teams they get during the week.”

Ireland’s Darren Sweetnam goes over for a try against Fiji.
Pic: INPHO/Michel Renac

7. Darren Sweetnam pursuing a rugby career

“He’s not the only one we’d like to have there on Sunday, there are two or three others. He got two fantastic tries (for the Ireland U20′s in the World Cup), he’s done great and it’s tough to lose a player like that.

“It’s a great career move for him, he looked to have huge potential for us and it’s disappointing, but that’s life.”

Here’s what the GAA schedule looks like this week

McLoughlin joins Cronin on Cork hurling injury list for Munster semi-final

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