Cork selector Martin Bowen has dismissed suggestions that Cork are "fixated" with depriving Kilkenny of a possible three-in-a-row of All-Ireland hurling titles. The Rebels were the last team to achieve such a feat in the late 1970s and are aiming to thwart Kilkenny's historic bid in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park. "It's all the same to us if Kilkenny are going for the three-in-a-row or the 10-in-a-row of All-Irelands," Bowen said. "As far as we're concerned, Kilkenny are the obstacle in the way of our aim to reach the All-Ireland final, and that's the only issue. "I know there's a lot of talk about Kilkenny chasing the three-in-a-row, but preventing them doing that is not something that bothers us, or that we have focussed on in our preparations. "We know that Kilkenny are the standard-bearers, and further proof of that is this year they've completed the clean sweep in Leinster, winning the provincial minor, under 21 and intermediate titles, to go with the senior title." While admitting that Kilkenny are favourites to progress to an All-Ireland final meeting with either Tipperary or Waterford, Bowen says Cork have taken a lot of hope from their wins over Galway and Clare. "The lads did very well to come through in both cases, and one thing we can be sure of is that they won't fail on Sunday because of lack of spirit, effort or commitment." Tweet

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