Ó Sé and Kerry brace for 'tricky' All-Ireland semi-final after cruising past Cork
For Tomás Ó Sé, mission number one is accomplished. A fourth Munster U20 title on the trot is packed away. Now comes the tricky business of going one step further and capturing an All-Ireland title.
They will face the Ulster champions, Donegal or Tyrone, who clash on Wednesday, in their semi-final as they bid to atone for last year's final defeat to the Red Hand County.
'The aim at the start of the year was to retain a Munster title, which we have,' said Ó Sé.
'Now, the second part of it, which becomes a lot more tricky when you're facing into whoever comes out of Ulster.
'We know all about the lads from the North. They socked it to us really last year. They were a way better team, and they have a good amount of those players back again.
'I don't know who's going to come out of there, is it Donegal or Tyrone, but at the same time, what we played here tonight I don't think will carry you through against a team (like that).
'Every game they've had above is a fierce, intense battle. Whoever comes out of Ulster will be finely tuned and ready to go.
'In terms of the competitiveness of the game, we would have loved to have the intensity that maybe other teams have. I have a feeling we'll get plenty of it down the road.'
Having missed this final, star forward Cormac Dillon gains an extra fortnight to work his way back to fitness.
'We'll do everything we can to make sure that he has an opportunity. Whether he will be able to make that or not, I can't give a definitive answer,' said Ó Sé.
'He's back training but he's not in contact or anything like that. We'll have to see what the boys say about that.'
Ó Sé was pleased how his team put the shackles on Cork for 54 minutes. The late revival to trim the lead from 15 to eight left 'a sour taste in your mouth', he added.
'We were expecting a tough battle from Cork. We knew they'd have players back but I'd say looking at the players, I'm not sure were they fully right.
'They were battling that all year long, which was tough on them, but we still had to prepare. The lads worked very hard in the first half, won a lot of possession, and used it well. We missed a couple of chances up front.
'In the second half, for some reason, it happened in Tralee as well, we lost a bit of shape, made a couple of mistakes. There was a couple of silly wides, silly turnovers.
'Look, we've been down this track before and we know that won't do us going forward. So delighted with the win, but at the same time, work to do if we want to stay in the competition.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘You can forget his age' – Huw Lawlor pays glowing tribute to TJ Reid as he reveals what ‘drives on' Kilkenny legend
HUW LAWLOR heaped praise upon TJ Reid after the Kilkenny forward claimed his 14th Leinster SHC title on Sunday. Lawlor and Reid starred at 2 HUw Lawlor paid glowing tribute to TJ Reid Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 2 TJ Reid scored 1-4 as Kilkenny won the Leinster SHC final Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile Reid, 37, fired 1-4 while full-back Lawlor halted constant Tribesmen attacks and limited hitman Brian Concannon to just a goal. But O'Loughlin Gaels man Lawlor saved his praise for Reid's performance up top for the Noresiders. He said: 'TJ is a class apart. Do you know what I mean? 'You can forget about his age or whatever. Read More on GAA 'The example he sets there in terms of work rate and stuff like that is phenomenal. 'He's such a professional in terms of the way he sets up and the way he goes at it. 'He's a super player. His attitude and his work rate is top class. 'I think that's what drives it on for him.' Most read in GAA Hurling Lawlor — a two-time All-Star — looks destined for a third after turning in another commanding display on the edge of the square to shut down Galway at Reid's attacking prowess helped the Cats surge 13 points clear in the second half. Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick But there was a spirited Galway revival late in the second period as Concannon's goal helped get them back within four. However, Mossy Keoghan's second green flag dashed any chance of a successful comeback. But Lawlor, 29, is yet to win a senior All- Ireland with the men in black and amber having made his SHC debut in 2019. Kilkenny are without Liam MacCarthy glory since 2015. However, they are strong contenders to claim glory this year. And in-form Lawlor knows how important the next four weeks are as they prepare for their All-Ireland semi-final on July 6. He said: 'Form comes in fits and starts. You can go through in form and out of form and stuff. There were times we were under pressure on Sunday. 'But the forwards were working very hard and limited the ball that was coming in. 'They got the scores and we got the interceptions that we needed to get over the line. 'We're just trying to get through the 70 minutes in the full-back line to try and stop them from scoring. 'And if we can set up our own scores as well, then we'll be happy enough. 'It's been a very busy six, seven, eight weeks there so we've a good chance to get training and for different lads to get into the team. We're glad of it now.'
The Irish Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Kildare footballers and hurlers set for Newbridge double after Tailteann Cup quarter-final and All-Ireland SHC draw
KILDARE'S All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final against Dublin and Tailteann Cup last-eight tie against Offaly will form a Newbridge double-header. The Lilywhites' 2 Kildare have been drawn against Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 2 The footballers will meet Offaly in the Tailteann Cup Credit: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile The bonus prize awaiting Brian Dowling's men is a home clash with the Dubs in the race for Liam MacCarthy. And it will start the bill on a bumper Saturday evening of action at St Conleth's Park. Kildare's footballers were drawn to host the Faithful in the quarter- finals of the tier two Championship . Elsewhere in the Tailteann draw, Fermanagh's home clash with Read More on Tailteann Cup NFL Division 4 final. Laois' All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final clash with Tipperary will also be played as part of a Saturday double-header at O'Moore Park. Roscommon's All-Ireland SFC final-round showdown with Most read in GAA Football SATURDAY, JUNE 14 — ALL-IRELAND SHC PRELIMINARY QUARTER-FINALS : TAILTEANN CUP QUARTER-FINALS : Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick SUNDAY JUNE 15 — TAILTEANN CUP QUARTER-FINALS : Wicklow v Westmeath, Aughrim, 1.15pm, Live on GAA+;
The Irish Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Conor Lehane revelling in ‘best feeling in the world' after taking rare chance to inspire Cork to Munster hurling glory
SATURDAY'S Munster title glory meant sweet redemption for Cork's Conor Lehane. Experienced forward Lehane turns 33 next month but has bided his time with Pat Ryan's men lately. Advertisement 2 Conor Lehane has had to bide his time to make an impression for Cork Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 He suffered a dislocated shoulder in the league game against Limerick back in February Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile He has not started a game for the Rebels since their All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final win over Lehane then suffered a dislocated shoulder three minutes after coming off the bench in the NHL draw with And that kept him out until a late scoring cameo in the Munster SHC round-robin win over Between injuries and a lack of game time, he has fallen down the pecking order as younger forwards Shane Barrett, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes became mainstays. Advertisement Read More on GAA But Lehane — who was omitted for the 2021 season — sucked it up and vowed to be ready to go if and when he was called upon. The Midleton ace got that chance in Saturday's epic provincial showpiece with Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds and he grasped it with both hands. Cork won a shootout 3-2 to seal their It was a fourth Munster crown for the team's one-time golden boy — and his sweetest yet after a frustrating year. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Lehane said: 'That's the nature of the game. You wouldn't be involved unless you didn't know that going into it. 'With the talent that's there representing Cork the best way they know how, they've done themselves justice. Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick 'It's healthy competition. You just try to stay as patient as you can and avoid injury if possible. 'When the chances come, be as tuned in as you can and try to make some sort of an impact. Advertisement 'You want to make whatever the impact is, whether it be scoring, tackling or whatever the case is. 'You want to make a positive impact for everyone and you want to have some impact for yourself. 'In the overall scheme of things, this is where it matters. Just seeing the crowd and the reaction is worth everything. 'It's the best feeling in the world, especially the way it went. Advertisement 'It wasn't just like a one-sided game or anything, it went down to the wire in the best way possible. 'You'd rather not be in too many of those situations. But when it comes out the better end for you, it's the best feeling in the world.' ZEROES TO HEROES Cork have gone from the floor to an All-Ireland SHC semi-final in the space of three weeks. Advertisement And Lehane says keeping calm and carrying on was vital in their road to redemption as they booked a last-four spot on July 5. He said: 'If there is an unbelievable win that we had or a horrific loss, you have to go back to the base and just drive on again. 'I think it's about not getting too carried away. It's your job as a team and a panel to keep the head. 'You can't get carried away because it'll affect you day-to-day if you do. You just have to keep the head, know where things went wrong, highlight them and then make sure it doesn't happen again and hope it works out. Advertisement 'You'd nearly rather be out a bit sooner for the semi-final but it's the best way to be after winning a cup. We couldn't be happier.' 'You just hope that when you do get that impact that you're recognised and you might be lucky enough to start the next day." Lehane's fellow sub Shane Kingston also delivered the goods. The Douglas man lit up the Gaelic Grounds with 0-3 and also scored in the shootout. A goalscoring starter in the 2021 All-Ireland final loss to the Treaty, Kingston, 27, is another who struggles to start these days and, whether he likes it or not, is more known as an impact sub. Advertisement But Lehane hailed that impact on Saturday, saying: 'Shane was unbelievable. 'He's lethal. Sometimes the ball will go for you and other times, the donkey work someone might do that you mightn't see has a huge impact on the game.' And Kingston was quick to repay the compliment. The duo helped Cork win back-to-back Munster titles in 2018 but ending the county's seven-year wait for another one was special. Advertisement Kingston said: 'Lehane came on the last day as well and got a lovely point. He was lifting us there when he came on. 'He's been showing that in training as well. It's nice to get recognition having trained well over the last couple of weeks. 'Obviously nobody wants to grow up and not be in the starting 15. 'You just hope that when you do get that impact that you're recognised and you might be lucky enough to start the next day. Advertisement 'When you win two Munsters, that's nearly your expectation. 'But as your career goes on, I suppose you realise that these days are to be cherished and you're very fortunate to be in the position. I'm obviously delighted.'
