Cork forward Paul Kerrigan has no problems in winning ugly if it means success.
The Rebels established themselves as nigh on the top team in the country last year as a mix of attacking flair and physical power saw them win National Football League Division Two and the Munster Championship, only to fall at the last hurdle when Kerry proved too much for them in the All-Ireland final.
In the semi-final prior to that they had shown no fear as they outmuscled the then Sam Maguire holders Tyrone – themselves considered among the hardest teams out there – and while that was a highly-praised performance, Sunday’s edged 3-13 to 3-12 win in their league Division One opener against Monaghan will not draw so many plaudits.
Cork grinded out the result having scored three early goals but finding themselves behind with ten minutes to go. Kerrigan, who had netted two of the goals, scored a key late point as that defict was overturned and the exciting attacker says he would accept the same again when the Rebels face Kerry for the first time since that fateful day in September this Saturday evening in Pairc Ui Rinn.
"We won ugly, that is the main thing,” Kerrigan, the son of Cork legend Jimmy, was quoted as saying by the Irish Examiner.
“That's one down now and hopefully one again next week. It doesn't matter who it is.
"We're up against all the big boys and we want to prove ourselves against them.
“This was a good way to start. Monaghan are no pushovers. They've showed that in the championship this last few years.
"A win is a win. We don't care in the league. If we have to win ugly, we have to win ugly. 3-13 is good scoring on a day like that but the win is the main thing. We're delighted with that, especially up there. We got nothing easy up there last year so it's great to get one back on them for losing last year."