John Cleary: We're capable of better, disappointed by the way we played

Cork manager John Cleary said there was no hiding the disappointment after Cork’s 1-23 to 1-15 defeat to Kerry in the Munster SFC final at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

A huge crowd turned up for the decider between the old rivals and, despite holding a three-point lead at half-time, the Rebels managed only 1-2 in the second half.

When the game was there to be won, Cork were unable to take their chance. Cleary felt his side were capable of more and that the manner of the display, rather than the scoreline, was the most frustrating aspect of the afternoon.

“Looking back on the whole game, I think we’re definitely disappointed,” he said post-match.

“Disappointed by the way we played. I think we’re capable of better than that. Kerry deserved their win on the day. They played the more efficient football. We had too many turnovers, too many poor shot selections, and at this level it comes back to haunt you.

“In fairness, we fought to the bitter end, but there were times when we took the wrong option and the next thing it goes down the field and Kerry score. We’re disappointed with that. We’re capable of playing better and that’s the disappointing thing for us today.” 

Cork had started brightly, but Cleary said the wind meant they needed a far bigger interval cushion than three points.

“There was a strong wind there. I don’t think Kerry got any two-pointers in the first half. We probably needed a six- or seven-point cushion at half-time because we knew Kerry were going to come at us.

“We needed to be more ahead at half-time and we weren’t. That came back to haunt us. Kerry soaked it up, and then a couple of balls into the goalie’s hands, a couple of turnovers, and the next thing they go down the field and get their goal and five or six fabulous points. That’s what’s going to happen when you’re trying to force it.” 

Cork did rally late on, with Brian O’Driscoll’s goal giving them a lifeline. 

“We got a great goal and I think Conor Corbett had a shot for a two-pointer which would have levelled it with about five and a half minutes to go. Whether we deserved it or not, we would have been level and who knows what might have happened coming down the straight.

“It was disappointing in that we had enough of the ball and we didn’t make use of it. We turned it over, poor shot selection, and that’s the disappointing thing about it. But that’s what these games are about. You learn an awful lot. If you have the ball and you get your opportunities, you’ve got to take them.

“If you have cheap turnovers against the top teams, you get punished.” 

Despite the quick turnaround to the All-Ireland series, Cleary said he has no concerns about lifting the players.

“I don’t think it will be hard. We’ve just got to get back at it. This competition is finished today. We would have loved to have won it. We didn’t, but we’ll think about the Meath game tomorrow and during the week. They’re a resilient bunch.” 

Attention now turns to Meath in the first round of the All-Ireland on Saturday week at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“We were focused on this game. At inter-county level all you can do is concentrate on the next game. Meath had a good look at us today and they have three, four, maybe five weeks fully preparing for the game against us. From our point of view, we’ll look at the Meath game from tomorrow on.” 

On the chances of Brian Hurley or Dara Sheehy returning, Cleary said it remains uncertain.

“It’s 50-50. We’ll see how they go in training. They tried for today but they weren’t ready. We’ll leave it to the medics.”