Cork V Dublin: Harden Your Hearts

8th Jul 2008

CORK Vs DUBLIN: HARDEN YOUR HEARTS
Finbarr Barry

No mercy must be shown.

We need Rebels to march to the Pairc on Saturday evening to roar on the hurlers once again and we know you will answer the call. This is more than just a game against a weak but potentially dangerous Dublin side. This will be a statement of intent designed to warn the rest of the country that Cork is still the best sporting county with the best supporters.

Dublin will come to Cork with nothing to lose but no Cork fan of any code could deny enjoying the prospect of another annual humiliation of the Dubs. Their county is inferior in every sense but, it is important to reassure ourselves of this regularly lest we fall into some lazy apathy about the Greatness our own birthplace.

SHOW NO MERCY
Like the emperor at a gladiator battle we must not show mercy to those we hold under our sword. When Cork go into the lead there must be no let up. There must be no sympathy for embattled Dublin hurlers or consideration for the plight of the game outside the Rebel County.

Like Kilkenny's demolition of Wexford (who as it happens beat Dublin) last Sunday we must get used to feeling nothing when we see hurlers of other counties with tears running from their eyes after being slaughtered by Captain Gardiner and Company. Like executioners we must become cold to hurling massacres and instead revel in our awesome victories.

Once or twice every year the beautiful game serves as a vivid public manifestation of Dublin's widespread failings, its spiritual emptiness and vast wrongness. It is an unpleasant place unfit for any Corkman.

COLD HEARTS
Let's be honest with ourselves and shed the frustrating sporting diplomacy: a whitewash of any Dublin team is something that every Corkman wants to be part of.

The very thought of our dear hurlers defeating Dublin makes us giddy but we must not let that positive excitement drift into anything resembling sympathy when the defendants have been found guilty and sentenced to a sporting death. We must roar on the Rebels to deliver our opponents unto ultimate defeat.

Harden yourselves for the sight of the execution because any murmur of a hurling heart beat in Dublin must be crushed with the coldness of a gladiator standing over a helpless grounded opponent.

Come join us on Saturday at 5pm in Pairc Úi Chaoimh and witness this great battle.

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