John Cleary looks to rewrite history as Cork face Kerry

Cork manager John Cleary knows better than most what awaits his side when they run out in Fitzgerald Stadium this Sunday for the Munster SFC final with throw-in at 1.45pm.

The Rebels haven’t lifted the provincial title since 2012, and their last championship win in Killarney dates all the way back to 1995.

Kerry’s lengthy injury list has been a talking point, but Cleary is having none of it. For him, the champions’ depth means they have plenty of options.

“We know Kerry are going to have a formidable team down there,” he said.

“You’re not All-Ireland champions, you don’t have the junior, intermediate and senior club titles in the bag, without having an abundance of players. 

"They could field five teams and there mightn’t be an awful lot of difference between a lot of them. They’re always extremely hard to beat.” 

Cleary’s respect for Kerry is rooted not just in their recent dominance but in a lifetime of memories. His earliest experiences of Killarney came long before he wore the Cork jersey.

“Going to Killarney were great days out when I was growing up,” he recalled.

“We always looked forward to it every second year. Maybe one year Cork won, but other than that maybe three or four years they were beaten.

“I was lucky enough to have three victories there as a player. It’s a lovely stadium, the crowd on top of the pitch. But then there were other days when we weren’t successful and Kerry in their pomp were so hard to beat.” 

For supporters, especially those travelling from West Cork, Sunday’s trip carries its own sense of occasion. A large Cork following is expected to make the journey over the county bounds.

Cork’s pre-season win over Kerry in Killarney in January has been referenced in some quarters, but Cleary dismissed any suggestion that it holds relevance now.

“It was two experimental teams, 30 minutes a side. You’d rather be winning than losing, but it’ll have no bearing on what happens in the final.

“It was nice though to win down there. We know that we can compete with Kerry. Last year was probably one we could have won. We got a couple of unfortunate decisions, but it was very close. Kerry just about got over the line.

“We could have won it, maybe not should have won it, and you’d be disappointed in that. What we’ve done in the past won’t have much relevance, but it gives a bit of credence that if we play well we mightn’t be that far away.” 

Cork’s season to date has been defined by steady progress. Promotion to Division 1 was the primary target, and securing it has given the group confidence and momentum.

Reaching the Munster final was the next step, and Cleary feels his panel is developing at the right pace.

“Our panel has been building slowly and getting stronger the last couple of years,” the Castlehaven clubman says.

“We’ve injuries — every team has injuries — but we’re in as good a position as we possibly could be.

“All games now are around the kick-outs and the breaking ball in midfield. And then if you get your chances, you have to take them. Our conversion rate has improved a lot this year, particularly against the top teams.” 

The growing public support has been one of the standout features of Cork’s season. Home crowds have grown, and even the long trip to Tyrone brought a sizeable travelling contingent.

This Munster final matters.

“We’re hoping as many people as possible can travel to Killarney because it could mean a lot coming down the home straight.

“We’ve put in a hard shift and this would be the ultimate reward. But we’re looking at it as just another game, 15 on 15. All we want to do now is concentrate on the game.”