Keith Ricken keeps Cork minors grounded ahead of All-Ireland final: 'It’s not about a perfect performance, it's about the best reactions'

Cork minor football manager Keith Ricken says his players are level-headed and focused leading into Sunday’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC final against Tyrone.

Cedral St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge is the venue with throw-in at 2pm. 

Cork are bidding for their first All-Ireland title at this grade since 2019, and while the county’s excitement has grown after their Munster success back in May, Ricken insists the group have kept their attention fixed on the game itself.

“We’ve had a couple of good sessions since the Derry game,” he says. 

“The lads are in good form, as you’d expect. It was easy enough to re-engage with them. They’re very focused.

There’s the occasion, and there’s the game. 

"You acknowledge that it’s a big thing for these lads, and it’s a big thing for their clubs and families. 

"But then we get back to the game, and that’s what we’re used to doing. That’s where we put our concentration.”

COMPOSURE 

Cork’s composed handling of the Derry challenge last time out impressed many observers, particularly the way the minors reacted after conceding two early goals. Ricken says that response was no accident.

“These are the things we rehearse in training,” he explains. 

“We’ll play games and after two minutes we’ll say you’ve conceded two goals, now this is what you have to do. So when it happens in a match, they’ve already worked through it.

“At half-time they could see from the stats board what they weren’t doing. They didn’t need any video. They tried to rectify it, and it took a few minutes in the second half, but when they did, they put in a good performance. 

"Some of the first half was quite good too, but conceding the two goals was disappointing. That’s part of the game.” 

Ricken stresses that perfection is never the target.

“It’s not about a perfect performance — that doesn’t happen,” he said. 

“It’s about the best reactions, and so far we’ve reacted well when it’s been put up to us.” 

Tyrone, the defending champions, will provide the sternest test yet. Cork though shouldn't have any fear.

“Tyrone are a good team,” he states. 

"They’re physically strong, they have pace, and they finish games well. They’re like ourselves in lots of ways. So it’s about matching that and making sure we can go up another level.” 

The build-up to an All-Ireland final brings its own noise, especially for teenagers still balancing a lot of things. Ricken doesn’t try to shield them from it — instead, he teaches them how to manage it.

“You can’t shut out all the noise. 

You accept the goodwill, because people want to show their support. You feed off the good part of it, but you don’t play off it. We control our own stuff.

“They’re players when they’re here, but when they go home they’re sons, friends, club members. They have to negotiate all of that. That’s real life.

“Any success gives people a boost. But this is their team and their story and their journey, and ultimately their responsibility.

GROUND WORK

“The future of Cork football isn’t on the shoulders of these young lads. It’s on the shoulders of all the people working hard on the ground — the clubs, the development squads, the coaches, the volunteers. 

"That’s the boost we really need, and I think we’re getting that.”