Keith Ricken: Unstoppable mantra drove Cork minors to success

Cork manager Keith Ricken praised the character and composure of his young side after they ended the county’s four-year wait for an Electric Ireland Munster MFC title with a 1-13 to 0-14 extra-time victory over Kerry in the final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday.

The scenes after the game said it all on what was a night to remember on Leeside.

Ricken said the win was a reward for the work the group has put in all year and for the resilience they showed when the game turned against them at different stages.

“These are the things you live for, these games, whether you’ve won or lost," he said post-match.

"There was a moment there in the second half of normal time when we were creeping back into the game and I said to myself, 'I’m really proud of this crowd'. They worked so hard and they believed in themselves. They’re a very lovely group.

“We have a saying among us, 'If it’s unstoppable or unbeatable, which one do we want to pick?' And they always say unstoppable. Everyone can be beaten, but you can’t be stopped. That’s the mantra with this group.” 

Ricken praised the maturity shown by a panel made up largely of 16 and 17-year-olds, especially in a contest where momentum, decisions and emotion all fluctuated.

“They’re a very mature bunch," he says.

"You saw the way they played tonight. We didn’t play particularly well, a lot of decisions went against us. But we stuck to our task.

“In the second half of extra time we were on top, we were all over them. We were beating them hands down. We knew we were spending every bit of energy we had. Loads of wides, a bit of rashness, but that’s young lads, that’s minors, that’s a lack of fear. 

"I’d much rather they do that and lose than be afraid to try and kick a shot. Great credit to Kerry also. It was a fantastic turnaround over the space of two weeks. They really put it up to us. It was a great game of football by 22 or 23 players from Cork and the same with Kerry."

The Cork manager admitted the team needed a searching test after a relatively comfortable run through the group stage.

“We’ve had loads of games this year and in the championship we won three games at a canter," the St Vincent's clubman states.

"We needed to be asked questions. One of the lads said during the week, ‘We haven’t been pushed yet — what happens if we get pushed?’ Well, the proof is in the pudding now.

“There was a turning point there, Éanna Lynch had a fantastic diving block. That almost flipped the switch in us. We got up, got going, moved the ball, and got a score or two.

“The only thing I was really irked with was we had a lot of yellow cards tonight. We haven’t had a yellow card all season. Maybe lads were over excited, maybe it was interpretation. We’ll have to look at the video.

“They don’t get the hump or get sulky if they’re brought off or given out to. They just get on with it.” 

Ricken said the group had been challenged from the start of the year to show maturity beyond their age.

“At the start of the year we asked them to be 19 years of age. They’re very young — 16, 17 — that’s a big ask. But we asked them to be mature, to take responsibility. They’re doing that all year in training. Their confidence is up, their attitude is up. 

"They’re better at home, better citizens really at the end of the day.” 

Asked about the wider significance for Cork football, Ricken was careful not to place any burden on the minors.

“I don’t put that responsibility on the shoulders of young boys. We wouldn’t do that in anything else in life, so we’re not going to do it in football. It’s just a lovely time to be that age.

"Seeing the lads all singing inside the dressing room… that’s what they’ll remember. Young men having the time of their life.

“This success is great for people who are genuinely interested in Cork football. Our U20s were brilliant this year. The seniors have had a good year so far. There’s always been a good spirit in Cork football — it just needs results to go the right way.”