Why Cork's Munster Football Championship will shape their All-Ireland Series

THE Allianz National Football Leagues have reached their conclusion – at least for the counties that missed out on the opportunity to play in a league final. Looking back, it’s been a mixed campaign for the Rebels, but one where they have finished very strongly.

Four games undefeated. That’s not something anyone expected after the opening three rounds, but Cleary’s men have shown real character over the past few weeks to go on and achieve that.

IS IT RELEVANT?

How much can we really read into it though?

Like with every other league game – you’ve got take it with a pinch of salt, but the draw against Armagh on Saturday evening requires far more than just a pinch. Armagh made five changes from the team that drew with Donegal.

There wasn’t really a whole lot for either side to play for, but in Armagh’s case – they quite clearly had one eye on their upcoming league final with fellow Ulster opponents Donegal.

It was a good performance nonetheless, and the players deserve credit for that, especially given the fact they managed to avoid defeat against one of the top two teams in the division.

But to think this is a sure sign that Cork have got it all figured out ahead of championship will leave you disappointed in the summer.

The Rebels’ three victories came against Fermanagh, Kildare and Meath.

Only one of those teams competed in the group stages of the All-Ireland series last season, and they lost every single game in Division 2 this year.

Without being totally pessimistic, Cork finished fourth in the league last year, with three wins, three defeats and one draw. Identical record.

The narrow defeat to Dublin, the comprehensive win over Kildare, the hammering of Limerick – these were all big positives last season for a group that were clearly improving.

And yet, as soon as Championship rolled around, the same issues were on show for the entire county to observe. That defeat to Clare in the Munster quarter-final was pitiful to put it kindly, and made even worse given the league improvements made by Cleary’s side that year.

Granted, the team did recover with some impressive performances and results in the All-Ireland group stages, and that can’t be taken from them. There is at least some pride in the fact they lost to Derry, rather than a Meath or a Louth, even if the performance on the day was forgettable.

EXPECTATIONS 

What can we expect from the All-Ireland Championship?

Given how bleak the situation looked for Cork a month or two ago, it’s fair to feel confident at this stage of the year. But again, Cork found themselves in trouble from the kickouts, something that has really hindered their ability to carve out results this year.

The most noticeable improvement for me is Cork’s threat from play, something that has been absent against strong opponents in recent years. A weakened Armagh side, Meath and Kildare may not be on the level of Kerry or Dublin, but it has been a welcome change.

However, at the end of the day, Cork are still a Division 2 side.

That is why they finished midtable for the second consecutive year. They’re just not at the level of Armagh or Donegal. It’s why Cork are not in that league final.

The current Division 1 teams are clearly ahead of Cork at this point. The Rebels might have a chance against Monaghan, maybe even Roscommon again – but to expect anything beyond another All-Ireland quarter final feels like we’re asking for too much.

Still, a strong Munster campaign could set this team up for an even better All-Ireland series. Cork have shown in the league that when playing and shooting with confidence they can be a threat.

In the Munster Championship, Cork are obviously in a difficult position given that if they defeat Limerick, they’re into a semi-final with Kerry.

They have to be in that semi-final, and they have to compete.

A defeat to Limerick would be catastrophic for this group, and would undo all of the supposed progress they’ve made in this league campaign. While unlikely, it could happen.

That’s what separates Cork from the best teams in the country.

Assuming they can overcome Limerick at home, that semi-final against Kerry is a real test.

No doubt the Kingdom will see their old rivals as their biggest threat to securing a fourth consecutive Munster title – but the game gives Cleary an opportunity to test his side against the best in a high stakes game.

Only after the conclusion of the Munster Championship will we be able to determine if this team has truly progressed from last season.