Paul Kerrigan believes the Cork footballers are in a great place as they head to Killarney to face Kerry

THREE National League titles, three Munster SFC successes and one famous All-Ireland SFC medal, Paul Kerrigan has been there, done that in a Rebels jersey.

The Nemo Rangers stalwart was part of successful and some not so successful inter-county setups during a 12-year playing career.

So, Kerrigan is well placed to assess his county’s chances of improving on a positive 2024 National League campaign and Munster SFC quarter-final win over Limerick. 

Ahead of another showdown with the old enemy from across the border, the secondary school teacher is thankful Cork possess such an experienced manager and backroom team.

“Cork are lucky to have some great fellas involved with them,” Kerrigan said.

“I would have had John Cleary (as manager) when I played U21. I would have played alongside James Loughrey and know Mícheál Ó Cróinín very well. They are all really good people.

“The thing to remember is, Cork have been to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals over the last couple of years.

“When I first started playing for the Cork seniors, those quarter-finals would have been held on the August Bank Holiday weekend. That was when the business end of the season would have started.

“So for me, this year, I think reaching the All-Ireland quarter-finals would be a minimum target and what Cork should be aiming for. It is where they have been the last couple of years.” 

A positive provincial championship run and evolving their attacking endeavours are two elements Paul Kerrigan believes the Cork management team has correctly targeted this year.

Irrespective of how the Munster SFC pans out, becoming a better team in transition from defence to attack will help the Rebels’ chances of making an impact later in the summer.

“Regardless of how this year’s Munster SFC goes, I think winning a provincial championship is something that’s a real target for Cork as well as going down to Killarney and putting it up to Kerry,” the Nemo Rangers player commented.

“On the field, Cork have looked quite good without the ball, both this year and last year. Things didn’t go well at start of the National League but they worked hard and look quite good heading into the championship.

“In transition (from defence to attack), Cork have tried to get forward that bit more, use more pace in attack and just get more bodies forward.

“James Masters was brought into the senior setup to help with Cork’s kicking game too. I’d like to see our attack evolve, just to add a few more strings to their bows.

“My Nemo Rangers team mate Mark Cronin was brought in, a kicking player and stationed around the half-forward line, which was a good idea to help Cork’s attack. 

"I would have coached Mark in school and so I’m delighted to see him get a run.

“Conor Corbett, in my opinion, is Cork’s most talented forward. He is in there now as well so we don’t lack for attacking options.

“I just think, if Cork wants to push on past the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals, they have to continue evolving and to keep improving. 

"Last year we had a couple of big championship wins so, in 2024, I’d be hoping, at a minimum, to reach the quarter-finals again. I’d actually be hopeful of Cork reaching the semi-finals.

“Before all of that, I think Cork will give Kerry a right good go down in Killarney in the Munster SFC semi-finals.” 

At the opposite end of the pitch, Paul Kerrigan believes there is room for improvement when it comes to Cork obtaining primary possession.

John Cleary’s kick out strategy went under the microscope during Cork’s opening three National League defeats.

Since then, a variation in their restart options has led to marked improvement when gathering possession in and around the middle third. Kerrigan hopes the trend continues as the provincial and All-Ireland championships progress.

“I know Cork’s kick outs are something that have been much maligned and talked about a lot this year,” the former All-Ireland SFC winner said.

“I’d like to see that strategy evolve too and I think it will during the championship.

“Teams are going to continue putting pressure on those long kick outs to the side-line. So, maybe a bit of variation in the short restarts and things like that will help Cork improve.” 

Keep evolving, keep improving, that’s Paul Kerrigan’s message to the Cork senior footballers as the 2024 championship hots up.