CORK DEFENDER STEPHEN Cronin believes that former manager Brian Cuthbert took much of the blame after they crashed out of the All-Ireland championship at the hands of Kildare last summer.
Cork manager Brian Cuthbert stepped down after last year's championship. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Cronin has spoken about how the Cork players need to take responsibility for their poor performances, echoing sentiments expressed by team captain Paul Kerrigan after that exit.
Nemo Rangers club man Cronin, who captains Cork in the upcoming EirGrid Munster U21 football final against Kerry, made his senior breakthrough last summer for Cork.
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“A lot of fellas would say he (Cuthbert) prepared us the best they’ve been prepared. Even when they won the All-Ireland, they said the most they were prepared was for last year’s Munster final.
“We’d a very good gameplan put in place for the Munster final. We went into the replay in the same mode and basically we were drained by the end of the second game.
Stephen Cronin (right) in action for Cork in last year's drawn Munster final Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“In a way he’s taken a lot of blame that he shouldn’t have taken. It was all down to the players when it came down to it. He prepared us right, he did everything right.
“From the word go from my time in there, it was spot on. Even actually my first year minors, he was our minor manager as well and everything is done completely brilliant.
“I’ve nothing but praise for the man. He gave me a go at minor and at senior as well. I’ve a lot to thank him for.”
After sustaining a broken leg in a club game last August, Cronin has been focusing on U21 games since his comeback this spring but is set to be a key part of new manager Peadar Healy’s championship plans.
Stephen Cronin (left) at an EirGrid U21 football media event yesterday. Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“We’ve a new management in. We’re getting all the chances we need, all the resources we need. All the training has been done.
“The National league has had a lot of ups and downs, probably stereotypical of Cork football at the moment. The lads are working very hard to try and get it right.
“They’re looking at Down now Sunday. They’ve put a good win on the board (against Monaghan). They need to follow it up with another one, then see where it goes I suppose.
“The main thing they’re building towards championship the whole time.”
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'He's taken a lot of blame that he shouldn't have taken' - in defence of ex Cork football boss
CORK DEFENDER STEPHEN Cronin believes that former manager Brian Cuthbert took much of the blame after they crashed out of the All-Ireland championship at the hands of Kildare last summer.
Cronin has spoken about how the Cork players need to take responsibility for their poor performances, echoing sentiments expressed by team captain Paul Kerrigan after that exit.
Nemo Rangers club man Cronin, who captains Cork in the upcoming EirGrid Munster U21 football final against Kerry, made his senior breakthrough last summer for Cork.
“A lot of fellas would say he (Cuthbert) prepared us the best they’ve been prepared. Even when they won the All-Ireland, they said the most they were prepared was for last year’s Munster final.
“We’d a very good gameplan put in place for the Munster final. We went into the replay in the same mode and basically we were drained by the end of the second game.
“In a way he’s taken a lot of blame that he shouldn’t have taken. It was all down to the players when it came down to it. He prepared us right, he did everything right.
“From the word go from my time in there, it was spot on. Even actually my first year minors, he was our minor manager as well and everything is done completely brilliant.
“I’ve nothing but praise for the man. He gave me a go at minor and at senior as well. I’ve a lot to thank him for.”
After sustaining a broken leg in a club game last August, Cronin has been focusing on U21 games since his comeback this spring but is set to be a key part of new manager Peadar Healy’s championship plans.
“We’ve a new management in. We’re getting all the chances we need, all the resources we need. All the training has been done.
“The National league has had a lot of ups and downs, probably stereotypical of Cork football at the moment. The lads are working very hard to try and get it right.
“They’re looking at Down now Sunday. They’ve put a good win on the board (against Monaghan). They need to follow it up with another one, then see where it goes I suppose.
“The main thing they’re building towards championship the whole time.”
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