The 16th Man

DOWN AND CORK’S progress to the All-Ireland final has proven that football is not just a team game but a squad effort with 20 players on both sides usually playing a part over the course of 70 minutes. Both Down and Cork are also firm believers in a group ethic, where no man is greater than the team.
However, it remains the case that individual battles all across the pitch could help to shape the outcome of the game and there are more than a few potential encounters that are bound to catch the eye on Sunday.

MARTY CLARKE v GRAHAM CANTY
Marty Clarke has played progressively better with each passing game but faces his sternest test to date when he will be picked up by All-Star centre-half back Graham Canty.
The Bantry man has admittedly struggled since sustaining a hamstring injury in the semi-final victory over Dublin but such is his influence that if he is close to full fitness he is bound to be risked by Conor Counihan.  The Cork captain is a superb man marker and enjoys a height advantage over the An Ríocht forward. Canty’s aggressive no-nonsense style and his leadership is indicative of Cork’s entire team ethos.
But, in Clarke he faces a player who appears to be peaking at the right time. Clarke has been stealing headlines since Down have come to the attention of the national media but as the player himself is at pains to point out, he is ably assisted by his team-mates. Nevertheless his passing ability and vision keep Down ticking in an attacking sense and his running and overall industry are aspects of his game that go unnoticed. His accuracy from the dead ball means that Canty will be careful of conceding frees from within 50 metres of goal.
It promises to be the most intriguing tussle on the field but with doubts remaining over Canty’s fitness and Clarke in the full spring of youth the feeling may be that this is one battle that Down can win.

PETER FITZPATRICK v AIDAN WALSH
Winning midfield is an integral part of any victory. Although it looks increasingly likely that Ambrose Rodgers will not make the starting line-up Down have a superb deputy in Peter Fitzpatrick.
The Ballmartin man was superb against Kildare and fitted seamlessly into the side in Rodgers’ absence. His fielding is superb and he provides more of an attacking threat than his more defensive minded-midfield partner Kalum King.
Although Down have not played Cork at senior level competitively since 1994 the battle for midfield is a resumption of a previous dual from 2009.
Aidan Walsh, who has started in midfield for the Cork seniors every game this year despite serious competition, was part of the Under-21 Cork team who pipped Down to the All-Ireland title last year. Fitzpatrick and Walsh played out a humdinger of a game last year and both are evenly matched once again.
Walsh is strong in the air and strong in the tackle and is not afraid of venturing into opposition territory. He perhaps lacks Fitzpatrick’s confidence when shooting as evidenced by some long-range miscues against Dublin in the first half. With Walsh taking the honours last year Fitzpatrick will be hoping to get one over on his midfield counterpart by taking a senior medal home. 

KEVIN MCKERNAN V PEARSE O’NEILL
Standing six foot tall, Kevin McKernan could hardly be described as the most diminutive figure in football but he is positively dwarfed in stature when compared to Cork’s Pearse O’Neill who stands at 6’5’’ tall. In many ways this particular battle represents the one that Down team as a whole must face against Cork.
The Rebels are huge brawny men brimming with physicality whereas Down rely more on guile and a collective work-rate. McKernan epitomises the ethic Down possess just as O’Neill does for Cork. That is not to underestimate Pearse O’Neill as a footballer. He has an ability to find space and is more than capable of finding the net when allowed to roam.
The onus will be on McKernan to stick tight to his man and harry him incessantly whenever in possession. The Kildare game also showed that one of McKernan’s strengths is his ability to turn defence into attack. His passing and forward thinking mean he is a scoring threat. It may not exactly be David versus Goliath stuff but McKernan and Down will have to become giant killers of some sort if they are to claim Sam Maguire for a sixth time.

DAMIEN RAFFERTY v DANIEL GOULDING
Both men are consistent. Daniel Goulding consistently scores for Cork and Damien Rafferty consistently defends superbly for Down. Something’s got to give and it promises to be nip and tuck in the corner all afternoon.
Goulding is a dead ball expert and James McCartan will doubtlessly have warned Rafferty and his fellow defenders against conceding soft frees in scoreable areas with Goulding on the pitch.  He is not just a free-taker though. Goulding’s pace and movement are more than enough to keep most teams occupied.
Damien Rafferty though is a capable defender. His pace has been a huge asset in the Down defence and his ability to carry the ball out of danger means he is a pillar in the Down full-back line. Rafferty’s almost unnerving willingness to put his head in where many others wouldn’t put their feet is an indication of his dedication to the Down cause. There must be many like him if Down are to succeed on Sunday.

BENNY COULTER v NOEL O’LEARY
With just one month separating the two 28-year-olds this promises to be a tussle of two players at their peak.  Coulter has been played closer to the small square (or inside it) in recent matches but Noel O’Leary may pick the Mayobridge man up nonetheless.
O’Leary is a half-back by trade but may be asked to pick up the effervescent Coulter who has been sensational for Down over the last decade and during the current campaign.
Coulter is practically assured of his All-star this year but that will mean precious little to Down’s talisman if it is not accompanied by an All-Ireland winner’s medal. Coulter will have to get the better of the burly O’Leary or whoever marks him this Sunday if Down are to be the team celebrating by the final whistle.

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