Kerry v Cork: Bench press will be crucial in Killarney

You’ve probably heard the modern-day idiom that GAA teams are no longer 15-player teams. 

Nowadays, it is all about late substitutes, 'finishers' or 'game-changers' being the difference between winning and losing.

Barring late injury concerns, John Cleary and his management team will have settled on their starting 15 long before travelling over the border to face their Munster rivals. Yet, who comes off the bench, or more pertinently, when those Cork players come off the bench will be of equal importance to Cork’s manager.

The significance of Cork’s subs in helping cause what would be a major shock in Killarney cannot be overstated. 

To underline the point, one of Cork’s most famous championship victories of recent times required game-changers to turn the result in the Rebels’ favour.

June 18, 2023, saw Cork register 1-6 in the final quarter of their epic All-Ireland SFC Group 1 victory over Mayo at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

The final score showed Cork edging the Connacht side 1-14 to 1-11 but that doesn’t begin to tell half the story of what was a cracking finale.

There were three minutes to go and Kevin McStay’s side looked set for victory once Tommy Conroy goaled to edge Mayo six clear.

St Finbarr’s Steven Sherlock had been sprung from the bench to replace an injured Ruairí Deane after 41 minutes. Carbery Rangers’ John O’Rourke came on for Eoghan McSweeney ten minutes later. Iveleary’s Chris Óg Jones emerged from under the main TUS Gaelic Grounds’ stand to replace Seán Powter on 64 minutes. 

Killian O’Hanlon was replaced by Nemo Rangers’ Mark Cronin with two minutes of normal time remaining. Each of those replacements would play pivotal roles in turning what appeared to be a routine Mayo success into an unexpected Cork triumph.

Sherlock converted a penalty, free and 45 and finished with 1-5 in the short time he was on the pitch. Chris Óg Jones and John O’Rourke also raised white flags while Mark Cronin was an important link between defence and attack.

A previously limp Cork attack that had failed to score during the entire third quarter, utilised their bench to rack up 1-6 and leave Limerick with a morale-boosting win.

On Saturday, it will be 13 days since the Rebels outclassed Limerick and set up a provincial last-four meeting when Cork’s players walk out onto the Killarney pitch.

PONDER

Cleary won’t have learned much from that 3-13 to 0-11 win but has had plenty to ponder based on his National League Division 2 renaissance that delivered three wins and a draw in their last four outings.

This year’s National League provided the opportunity for many of the Rebels' fringe players to stake a claim for a championship start or appearance off the bench. Against Limerick, Ruairí Deane came off the bench and netted a fine goal. 

The experienced Bantry Blues player still has plenty to offer but may not earn a half-forward line starting berth considering how well Brian O’Driscoll, Seán Powter and Paul Walsh played against the Treaty county.

Steven Sherlock added a free after replacing Brian Hurley. It appears unlikely that the Barrs player will force his way into the starting full-forward line on Saturday.

That’s because Chris Óg Jones (1-2), Conor Corbett (0-1) and Brian Hurley (0-4) provided plenty of scores against Limerick and should get the nod. 

Yet, such a talented forward with Sherlock’s scoring abilities from frees and open play means the St Finbarr’s player is certain to see game time against the Kingdom. A repeat of his TUS Gaelic Grounds heroics would be most welcome.

Kevin Flahive and Tommy Walsh appear to have nailed down the two starting corner-back positions. Maurice Shanley’s ability to get forward and score from distance, as well as pop up with the odd important goal, suggests the Clonakilty defender would be a positive move off the bench against Kerry.

Nemo’s Mark Cronin was one of Cork’s in-form players during the early, difficult weeks of this year’s National League. 

A player capable of unlocking any defence with his kick-passing ability, Cronin could once again be utilised in the closing stages.

We won’t know who is on the Cork bench until John Cleary announces his starting 15. Irrespective of who wears the bibs during the warmups, Cork will need every one of their substitutes to impact if called upon against such a formidable opponent.