The Cork minor football team is gearing up for a crucial Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Championship (MFC) quarter-final against Tyrone. The match is set for tomorrow at Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise, with the throw-in scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Despite being considered underdogs against the Ulster champions, the Cork camp exudes confidence.

Ricken’s Perspective: Faith in the Team

Cork minor football manager Keith Ricken, of St.Vincent’s club, remains unfazed by the underdog status. He emphasizes the importance of internal belief over external opinions.

Well look, I think it was bob paisley who said one time that if you listen to the fans you’ll become one.

ricken stresses the need to trust in the team’s capabilities. You have to kind of believe in your own team and I would and we’ve played Tyrone already this year. I went up and saw them in the Ulster final against Cavan. They’re a good side, I mean, they’ve won the Ulster league and they’ve won the Ulster championship.

Confidence Despite Munster Final loss

Despite a nine-point defeat to Kerry in the Munster final two weeks prior, Ricken maintains a positive outlook. He believes the team performed well, even tho they lacked the same level of quality as their opponents.He is optimistic about their chances against Tyrone.

But I’d be very confident going into this game. I’m not saying that now becuase this is the thing to say to the press or this is what I want to say to the players, I genuinely would be confident. The lads are playing well. If we go by the stats, if we can sort out our conversion rate a bit, which the lads are trying to, then I think we’ll have a very good chance of winning at the weekend.

Previous Encounter and Northern Teams

Cork and tyrone have faced each other earlier in the year, providing Cork with valuable insight into their opponents. We played Tyrone earlier in the year, we played them above in Dublin, it was a very good game. We might have won by a few points, if my memory recalls.We’re looking forward to the game, its a big challenge, of course, Tyrone are good, but cork have a good record against northern teams.

Positive Team Spirit

ricken emphasizes the team’s resilience and positive attitude following the Munster final loss. He notes that the players are enthusiastic and eager to compete.

When we came back to training a few days after the Kerry game, you would have thought we won the Munster. The players were really buzzing. They’re a great bunch, you know, great admiration for the players and their parents and their clubs, really enthusiastic bunch. There’s a great energy about the place, couldn’t ask for a better bunch that way.

Focus on Enjoyment and Advancement

Ricken is keen to ensure the players enjoy the experience and avoid unnecessary pressure. He believes the focus should be on the senior and U20 teams to carry the weight of Cork football.

These young fellas have all been playing football as a young age. they’ve dreamed about days like playing in an All-Ireland quarter-final. The attitude is great and training has been very good, the lads have put in a big shift. It all comes down to what happens on the day. I know it’s an old adage, like, but it is the fact that all matches come down to the day of the game.We have prepared very well.

Regardless of the result, I think the weight of Cork football is on the shoulders of the seniors and U20s. We shouldn’t be putting our hopes on adolescents to go up to Portlaoise and put the weight of the world on top of them. These are adolescents, they’re playing for the enjoyment of it, the fun of it. The minors do what minors do, go out and enjoy life and enjoy the football and see what it brings.