Keith Ricken challenges Cork minors to play with freedom and belief in All‑Ireland semi‑final

A few hours before Cork’s final training session in MTU Cork ahead of their big game, Keith Ricken is exactly as he has been all season — steady, honest, and fully tuned into the young players around him.

The Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC semi-final against Derry is coming fast, 4pm on Saturday in Parnell Park, and the last session before a knockout game always carries its own weight. The hard work is nearly done.

“It’s always a tough evening, the last training before a match,” Ricken says.

“We’re in the business of promoting people, showing them their strengths, showing them what they bring. And then you still have to pick a team. There’s no sugar-coating that.

“It’s tough on the parents. They travel from everywhere — from Youghal, from Charleville, from Castletownbere, from Barryroe. We have that full spectrum and they’re travelling all the time.

“The parents all love to see their son wearing the jersey and they’d all love to see their son represent Cork, but it is elite sport… albeit underage elite sport, right, and I’m very conscious of that.

“Picking the team is always the toughest part. The players are all 100 percent enthusiastic. They all put up their hands. That’s what makes it difficult, but that’s what makes it good too.” 

Cork’s win over Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final was more one-sided than many expected, but Ricken doesn’t dwell on the scoreline. He focuses on how his team reacted to moments within the game.

“It’s not the perfect performance you’re looking for, it’s the perfect reaction,” the Cork boss said.

“The players reacted very well the last day. They’ve done that all year. Even in the Munster final against Kerry, when they didn’t play to their own high standards, they worked hard and tried to adapt.

“All the players feel they can contribute. There’s a great buzz around the camp and there has been all year.” 

The next challenge is Derry. They have been on Cork’s radar for months. Ricken and his selectors have seen them three times. They’ve studied them closely.

“Derry have some very, very good players,” Ricken states.

“Some very big men. They’ll match us physically, which is good. It’ll be something different to what we’ve played so far.

“These are knockout games. You get one chance at it. It’s a lovely thing to have. It’s pressure, but it’s a nice pressure.

“We are taking it day by day, wall by wall. Derry is our focus now and that’s all that matters. That’s the job. If you’re looking too far ahead, you’ll miss the ball in front of you.

“This is our All-Ireland final for now. It’s the next game because if we don’t beat Derry, we won’t get to the All-Ireland final.” 

Ricken has always been quick to point out the work happening across Cork football. He sees the seniors train. He sees the U20s train. He sees the younger development squads in action. He knows the hours being put in.

“Sometimes the results don’t show. There’s been an awful lot of work done in Cork football over the last number of years. Very good people involved. Very good people giving their time.

“It’s great results are coming together now. The minors got a great kick out of the seniors beating Donegal last weekend. The U20s had a strong season and their work feeds into the next group.

“Every Cork football team gains confidence out of each other’s results. Everybody celebrates it, but everyone is committed whether they win or lose.

“Cork football is in a good place in terms of commitment. It’s nice to see the results going well, but there’s no All-Ireland won yet. The seniors won’t settle after beating Donegal. The minors won’t settle either. Our focus is on Derry."