THE stats make grim reading for Cork supporters. The Rebels haven’t won a Munster senior football title since 2012. Their last victory over Kerry in a provincial decider came in 2008, while their most recent championship win in Killarney dates back to 1995.
History, then, is firmly against Cork as John Cleary’s side look to rewrite the narrative when they face the All-Ireland champions this Sunday (1.45pm) in Fitzgerald Stadium.
But this year’s provincial championships have already delivered shocks – and Cork will believe they can add their name to that list.
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Division 2 champions Meath were beaten by Westmeath. All-Ireland finalists Donegal were dispatched by Down. Even Dublin were pushed to the brink by Division 4 Wicklow.
The blueprint for an upset is there, and Cork have shown enough to suggest they can deliver one.
They pushed Kerry all the way in last year’s Munster semi-final, losing 3-21 to 1-25 after extra time in a game they could easily have won, but for decisive contributions from David Clifford and Joe O’Connor.
Their All-Ireland group-stage meeting ended in a 1-28 to 0-20 defeat, though Cork were competitive for long spells.
One key absentee from both of those games was Steven Sherlock. The St Finbarr’s forward has been in prolific form, scoring 0-62 in his last ten matches, and underlined his class with 0-16 for Barrs against Dingle in the Munster club final.
With his range and ability to convert two-pointers, Sherlock could be a crucial difference-maker.
The McGrath Cup may be pre-season fare, but Cork’s 0-16 to 0-15 win over Kerry in Killarney offered a valuable psychological boost – one that helped set the tone for a run of eight wins from their next ten games.
Kerry, meanwhile, could be without several key players through injury. Joe O’Connor, Seán O’Shea, Shane Ryan and Brian Ó Beaglaoich all missed the Kingdom’s win over Clare.
Cork have concerns of their own. Brian Hurley and Dara Sheedy are both unavailable, and their absence will be felt – Hurley’s experience off the bench and Sheedy’s direct running key assets.
However, Chris Óg Jones and Mark Cronin have the tools to trouble the Kerry defence, while Colm O’Callaghan’s aerial strength could give Cork a platform.
This could come down to the closing stages. If it does, Cork’s hunger to end their Munster drought might just tip the balance. We could see another shock on Sunday.
