‘It won’t define us’: Ray Keane keeps Cork U20s grounded before Kerry battle

Cork U20 football manager Ray Keane says his side will “put the head down and see where it takes us” as they play a crucial Munster Phase 2 Round 2 game with Kerry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening (7pm).

The Rebels were forced to dig deep against Clare in Quilty last Thursday to salvage a 1-10 apiece result — a point that could prove important when all is said and done.

Cork will know, however, that improvement is required, even if the turnaround from the Clare outing has been tight.

“We went for recovery then a light session, and then it was just focusing on the next challenge, but it’s the same for every team — that’s the way the competition is run off,” Keane says.

“That’s probably the great thing about it: it’s week after week after week. It’s what people want. They want games, they want to be getting out and enjoying their games, going watching games. There’s nothing worse than long breaks.” 

Reflecting on the draw with Clare now the dust has settled, Keane believes the contest will stand to his players heading into the battle with the Kingdom.

“I think the Clare game will bring us on a bit, to be fair — a good bit,” he said.

“You can’t beat the competitive nature of anything. That was Clare’s fourth game in 26 or 27 days or something like that. You could see they had a bit more rhythm about their play compared to us, and that only comes from having games.

“There’s no doubt we will have to improve. I’d like to see just a bit more rhythm about us. I thought we competed well and made a few mistakes. We left a bit after us on the scoreboard at times. But we could easily have lost that game too.

“But look, each game takes on a life of its own — different conditions, different environment. Who knows what the weather will be like for the Kerry game, but you’ll definitely have a good surface.” 

Despite the short turnaround and the challenge posed by a Kerry side buoyed by their thrashing of Waterford, Keane remains clear about Cork’s objective.

“The plan here, simple as this, was to get out of the group and get into a Munster final,” the Éire Óg clubman states.

“That is still within our own hands and our own grasp as we speak, so we’ll keep the focus on that.

“Kerry will be a good barometer, but I wouldn’t be saying we’re going to win an All-Ireland if we win it, and if we lose it, I wouldn’t say we’re finished. It’s just about getting into a Munster final and seeing where we go from there if we can get there — doing whatever it takes.” 

Cork’s recent record against Kerry at underage and senior level has been bleak, but Keane refuses to let that narrative seep into his dressing room.

“I would never read too much into history, to be straight with you. It depends on the nature of the person — if you’re glass half-full or glass half-empty. The fact is we have to play a game against Kerry, it’s 15 v 15, and we’ll see where it takes us. It won’t define us whether we win or lose, I can guarantee you that.” 

It is well-documented that Keane hails from Cahersiveen in Kerry, and while it may feel unusual to face his native county, he brushes aside any personal sentiment.

“I take nothing of it, to be straight. I’ve been living in Cork since 2000. My wife is from Ovens, my two kids are Cork people and go to school in Ovens. They support Cork, and rightly so. I’ve trained various teams in Cork and will train various teams in time.

“You just do your best with them and try to mould them into a productive unit that will be successful.

“Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. The opposition never really bothers me. We’ll try to get our own house in order. We’ll put the head down and see where it takes us.”