CORK CON ARE not usually in the business of talking their chances down.
So having stormed into their fourth consecutive All-Ireland League final on the back of a campaign in which they ended 11 points clear of the chasing pack, they have every reason to be confident in the hunt for a sixth title this Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
Even a cursory look at the AIL tables shows an increase in attacking intent around Temple Hill, with 12 try-scoring bonus points to their name this season after racking up a grand total of 10 from the 36 games across the previous two years.
As he looks ahead to the AIL’s marquee match on a hard track of the Aviva Stadium, second row Brian Hayes pays a large portion of the credit for the final league position to the coaching of Paul Barr.
Con also have a wealth of back-line talent well worth going wide for, not least Ireland Sevens veteran Shane Daly and U20 Grand Slam-winner Sean French.
“To take Sean French as an example, you see Jacob Stockdale 2.0, really,” offers Hayes of the powerful back, who made crucial contributions from the centre for Ireland during the Six Nations.
French making a break during the semi-final win over Dublin University last weekend. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
“He’s the same. You give him the ball and you expect a try. That can be on our own 22 or it could be in their 22. Both feet, he has deft kicking. He can kick it along the touchline, he can kick it over people.”
Indeed, Cork Con’s fine form has meant another Grand Slam-winner in Jonathan Wren has struggled to nail down a place in the back three, but in Daly and Alex McHenry they are well-stocked for centre options alongside captain Niall Keneally.
“Alex, a fella who has had Sevens experience, you can see how that’s helped him. Give him a bit of space and he’s able to go. Then defensively, Shane as well, the impact the Sevens programme has had on their defence is unbelievable. The 13 channel when either of them are there is a lot safer and Niall inside. It really helps.”