Darragh Fitzgibbon and his Cork teammates know the challenge they face on July 7th in Croke Park as they try to topple Limerick for the second time this championship in an All-Ireland semi-final.
Speaking at the PwC Player of the Month awards, the Rebels midfielder admits his side has been rusty in their wins against Offaly and Dublin and needs to up the gears for the Treaty clash.
Interesting, the PwC hurler of the month for May told print reporters that the Cork team were dealing with an illness in camp that hampered preparations for the game last Saturday.
“There was a bug in our camp and obviously Rob [Downey] couldn’t play. But there were a couple of other guys in the dressing room who were actually getting sick before the match. A couple of guys had been up all night as well.
“It was testament to the players who were able to play and who stepped in and did a job to the best of their abilities. That made the result pleasing as well because it was just a matter of trying to win the game and get on to the next one.
“Alan [Connolly] was feeling unwell too. Alan was probably feeling unwell even before the Offaly game. He’s had a bit of a rough run of it. A lot has been made by some people of Alan’s last couple of performances but it won’t affect him. He’s another guy who leaves outside noise on the outside. He backs himself and we all back him. We know he’ll be fit and firing come Sunday week.
On the whole, the Charleville club player feels Cork are building nicely for what will surely be an epic test.
“I suppose we had a four-week break before the Offaly game, which was a long enough break, so there was a bit of rust. We were coming up against a county that is on a real high and has done a lot of work, and you can see that they are not far away from competing at Liam McCarthy,” Fitzgibbon said.
“And against Dublin, after losing the first two games, there was going to be a reaction, and they're a really good side, as Offaly was. We were happy to win both games, and we’ve a lot to work on going into a big game.
“We are fully aware that there are areas where we need to improve. We have yet to match the intensity we displayed in the Tipperary and Limerick games. However, we understand the importance of bringing this level of play to the All-Ireland semi-final if we are to stand a chance of achieving a positive result.
“No, Limerick are such a good side and can adapt to what you can do, so we know if we bring what we brought the last time, it won't be good enough. We simply have to bring more and tweak a couple of things so were well aware of that and the challenge that is ahead of us Sunday week.
“You look at their players from one to fifteen; even the ones coming in are all essential players. Their ability to adjust to changes you're trying to bring against them mid-game is very tough. You need everything to go right in the 70 minutes to have any chance against them. You can see over the last few years that they have answered every challenge put to them. They are just an incredible side.
“We’ve won four championship games in a row, and we can take huge momentum going into this.”
Limerick await in what is certain to be a classic.
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27 June 2024; PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for May in hurling, Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork, with his award at PwC offices in Cork. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile.
First Game in Croke Park In Three Years
Despite not having a game in Croke Park since the 2021 All-Ireland hammering against Limerick, Fitzgibbon doesn’t believe that will be a factor when playing Limerick as that’s where players want to be and how they are telling the younger players to embrace the experience as it might not come around again next season.
“An important point that we make to the young players is that many guys are on the panel in their first and second year. You can often get to Croke Park and say we will get back there again and build on it for next year. But that’s what we are saying to the young players: you don’t get these opportunities and have to take them when you get them, Fitzgibbon said.
“The last time we were in Croke Park was the All-Ireland final in 2021, and you will probably be inside the dressing room after saying it was a disappointing day, but you build on it. But it's been three years since we’ve been in Croke Park, so that’s one thing we are ensuring to young lads: whatever role they're playing, we have to play to the best of our ability because we might not get these opportunities again,
“No, I don’t think so. I think every young fella growing up wants to play in Croke Park. If there's pressures and nerves, you have to embrace them. That’s where everyone wants to be. It’s a sign that the work is paying off and your actions are right. Personally myself, when I started playing in Croke Park, I didn’t feel any nerves. I never felt it was a daunting challenge. It was something that I looked forward to. It’s a goal for every team to get there as it means you are in the business end of the season, and that’s where we are,
It’s a completely different team and backroom team; We’re just looking forward to returning to Croke Park. Obviously, we didn’t perform well on the last day; I think Limerick was exceptional that day, and whatever team they met that day would have had a similar result. We're looking forward to returning and playing in Croke Park, where everyone wants to be.”
