Keith Ricken hails ‘positive step’ as Cork minors overpower Kerry in Tralee

Cork minor manager Keith Ricken said his side’s 10-point victory over Kerry in Tralee was a significant step forward, as the Rebels claimed a deserved 3-18 to 1-14 win at Austin Stack Park on Monday evening.

It was Cork’s first victory at this grade over their old rivals since 2023, and while Ricken was careful not to get carried away, he acknowledged the value of both the performance and the triumph. 

As a result of this victory in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC Phase 2 Round 2 clash, Cork advance to the final with a game to spare, with Waterford next up at Páirc Uí Rinn next Monday.

“We were beaten down here last year by about 10 points, but I thought we played very well last year in the two games against Kerry,” Ricken said post-match.

“It’s a lovely win. We played well enough. There were moments where we didn’t — we conceded a goal, which we don’t like doing — but overall the first half was excellent. We set out our style and they gave it their heart and soul.

“I thought our backs did well. We got some good tackles in, good half-blocks and blocks, and we put Kerry under pressure for shots in the first half. It was a great launching pad for our forwards — the backs were coming up with great ball.” 

What was most impressive was Cork’s team display. There was a nice spread of scorers and they weren’t relying on one player.

“Our players are trying to make each other look good, which is important,” the Cork boss said.

“At this age group, the world sometimes revolves around 16 and 17-year-olds, but we do a lot of work on awareness — that you’re part of a group and your job is to make everybody look good in our group.

“They’ve bought into that. They’re a very united bunch. There was a big Cork support here. It does take a village to rear a child. A lot of people are invested in a boy that gets to 16 or 17 years of age, no matter if he plays for the county or not. They tend to follow him and give him that support.

“When you’re a selector with an U20 team, you have 24 or 30 players. When you’re a selector or manager of a minor team, you have 35 players and 70 parents and God knows what else behind them. It’s a family thing and you’re trying to include everybody in that.” 

Ricken also pointed to the broader health of Cork football at underage level, referencing recent performances from the county’s development squads.

“There’s a lot of good work being done. I watched the U16s last week, the U15s the week before. There’s a lot of good stuff going on.

“But we’re not getting carried away. From our point of view, it’s two games. If you want to win an All-Ireland, you have seven games to win. If you want to win the Munster, you’ve the next two games to try to win.

“That’s tough — win next week against Waterford and try to win again the week after in the final.” 

For all the caution, though, Ricken recognises the value of momentum — not just for his players, but for Cork supporters eager for signs of progress.

“This is a positive step,” he said.

“Every time we get a team out and we perform, it’s a positive step. These guys want to play football for Cork — that’s a big part of it and that lifts people. They will be picking up the Examiner, picking up the Echo, listening to the radio, seeing a positive result. That lifts people.

“Please God, that will carry on to next weekend with the seniors in their final against Kerry. Hopefully at the end of the year, people will be positive that we’re going in the right direction in terms of Cork football.”