DANIEL GOULDING ADMITS that Cork must deliver three big performances if they’re to maintain their Division 1 status in the Allianz Football League.
The Rebels, who are playing in the top flight for the eighth consecutive season, began their campaign positively with an impressive nine-point win against Mayo.
However, their campaign has since turned sour by virtue of three defeats on the trot against Donegal, Roscommon and Dublin.
The 18-point home defeat to Roscommon was a particularly significant setback for Peadar Healy’s side, and although they came away from Croke Park empty-handed last weekend, Cork restored a measure of pride despite going down to All-Ireland champions Dublin by four points.
“The positives were that we put in a good performance and that we played how we wanted to play. It was still disappointing that we didn’t win the game,” Cork forward Goulding told The42.
“We had chances to win it and probably should have closed it out but the Dubs finished the game stronger than we did. It was a big improvement on the Roscommon game anyway, which was required… obviously.”
Cork led for the vast majority of their encounter with Dublin — at one stage in the first half they were eight points up — but a strong finish from the Dubs denied the Leesiders what would have been a very valuable win.
Nevertheless, there were signs over the course of the 70 minutes that Cork could be capable of competing with the best teams in the country when they produce their best football.
Goulding: “As a group, we know what we’re capable of but it’s very disappointing that we don’t produce it often enough. We need to become more consistent in our attitude and our work-rate.
“There’s an onus on everyone, as individuals, to look after their own performance and do their own job. That’s what happened last Saturday night, to be fair. Everyone did their own job. The whole thing comes together then as a team.
“If you don’t have the right attitude individually — obviously it’s never done intentionally — and if you’re not really up for these games then they’re very difficult to win.”
With their League campaign now hanging in the balance, things could go either way for Cork. A win against Monaghan at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday could keep them in the hunt for a semi-final place. A defeat, however, will bring them a step closer to relegation.
“With the way this League is going, it’s very tight and there’s probably four or five teams who could be involved in the relegation battle or getting to a semi-final. You need every win that you can get so when there’s a chance to win one of these big games and you pass it up, that’s very disappointing,” Goulding explained.
“The only good thing is that we have a chance on Sunday to rectify it again. We need big performances in these last three games. At this level, without a big performance every time, you just won’t win the games, simple as.
“We’re not talking about relegation but it’s there in black and white if you look at the table. Our set-up is no different to any other. You don’t want to lose any game, but especially four in a row. There’s a big desire now to get a performance but that has to show itself with points on the board as well.
“If we don’t win, we’re sucked right into that relegation battle. If we do, there’s a chance of making it to a semi-final. It’s very up in the air in terms of results but we want to prove that we can perform consistently so a big performance on Sunday is needed for that.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Some pure nonsence selections by both your pundits. Out of position or based on one performance. They both need to do their homework if they want to be taken seriously as high quality commentators. Neither Crowley nor Itoje warrent selection in any dream team this season. The English second-row, Martin, gave a real demonstration of the position in his two games against Ireland and France.
I’m particularly surprised at Murray’s nominations
@Des Lamont: Yeah, really surpassed by the selections too not very realistic and not based across the five weekends. Aki, Lowe, Sheehan and Beirne. Martin a definite.
@Des Lamont: Some of those offloads were delicious. Release yourself from the tribal trappings Des! As they say in curling, deliver the stone… lol
@Con Cussed: You can’t really complain about the selections not being based across the 5 games, and then nominate a guy who played only 2
@Des Lamont: be honest you just want to give out about Crowley, rugby pundits probably do abit of homework tbf.
@Con Cussed: You can’t really complain about the selections not being based across the 5 weeks and then say Martin is a definite when he only played in 2 games
@Des Lamont: how is Van Der Merwe not in that team, would have made more sense to accomodate Lowe and himself rather than sticking an italian centre on the wing..
@Owen ODonoghue: 1 game with 3 moments is all he had. He was anonymous for the rest of that game and the championship with the exception of 2 other moments and several defensive lapses. VdM will struggle to make the Lions squad. He definitely won’t make the test match 23.
@Kevin Ryan: He played three games, started two but a fair call Kevin. He’s only 22 years old and 6’6”.
Aki is a little overrated. There are times when he trucks it up when the ball should go wide. His defence is poor. He missed a simple tackle on McDowall on Saturday; his attempted tackle on Earl was abysmal when Earl scored at Twickenham; he was smoked by Fatima-Waboso on 79m 30s down the touchline which should’ve been his friend. If he had nailed that tackle, Ireland win; wrong choice, when Chessum knocked him into touch.
Crowley is media hyped. The only time he needed to kick was v England blitz defence and he didn’t do so once. The odd dink over the top would’ve kept them honest. In every other game, his kicks were either inappropriate, went dead or blocked. His much loaded defence is suspect. He needed to go for the tap tackle for the English 1sr try. He goes high rather than low.
@Brian O’Connor: Wree you even watching?. He did kick over the blitz defense several times and watch again and see some great tackles he made. You’re making so many general statements without a lot to back it up.
@Brian O’Connor: I’m just really worried about the people who read this and decided to give you a thumbs up!!
@John Ludgate: the statistics show that Crowley did not kick once against England. Perhaps influenced by his poor kicking in the previous three games. His attempted tackle for England first try was poor. Look at the game on video again please. He is a brave defender, but his tackling technique needs work.
I referenced three missed tackles by Aki which are fact not general statements. I happen to think that Henshaw and Ringrose are the better partnership. That is a general statement and a matter of opinion.
I still think Aki and Crowley are excellent by the way.
@Brian O’Connor:
@Paul Ennis: I take a passing interest in these articles, and there is a trend with certain BTL commentators. Most are civilised and friendly. This is not Twitter. Some like to provoke. I rarely comment and I certainly never criticise, either directly or by implication. We are all entitled to our opinions. Your name features from time to time in comments, I have nothing to say other it’s probably best to stick to the old adage, if you have nothing good to say, then say nothing.
Tommy Reffell would crush in a better team. Just sayin
@Thesaltyurchin: great shout! Machine of a player…
@Thesaltyurchin: it’s a bit odd that if lions team was picked now we’d not expect to have an Irish man in the starting back row., unless Pete captained them but that’s unlikely
@Ciaran Kennedy: Lol! *fire emoji
Crowley had a great first six nations by he wasn’t the standout 10. That would have to go to Ramos, perhaps Ford in second place. Keenan didn’t see enough game time at 15. Winnett (15) of Wales was one of the few Welsh players to make a difference to the team.
@Con Cussed: Crowley is being seriously underestimated. Some of the tries he created were sublime. His awareness of his support runners. His freeing his hands in contact. Sure he made mistakes but an outstanding playmaker.
@Cu Chulainn: and for he’s first run out in a test level series he was a class act, were blessed to have a 10 like him so soon after sexton.
@Con Cussed: Ramos is way overrated
@Con Cussed: and Ramos only played 2 games at 10. Ford for me
@Con Cussed: Winnet was brutal v Italy, knocked into his 10 trying to catch the ball at one stage
@Con Cussed: keenan- 3 matches as the most outstanding 15 isnt good enough? You would rather insert Winnett and his wooden spoon? Definitely a player for the future but I comparable to Keenan!
@Con Cussed: Ramos played 1 game at 10. I would give him the 15 shirt based on the fact he can cover 10, but he doesn’t deserve the 10 shirt based on 1 game. Crowley had 2 excellent games, 2 good and 1 average. He ranks higher than every other 10.
@Con Cussed: sorry, but you don’t get to play 10 in a team that should have lost to both Italy and Scotland and get to be player of the tournament.
Murray’s back five must be an error. 4. Itoje 5. Beirne 6. Martin 7. Lamaro 8. Earl. Surely one of Itoje or Beirne is meant to be at 6 and Martin as 2nd row.
How George Ford made it in here we’ll never know, i’d say Huw Jones or VDF would have been better shouts