Joe Deane has played down Cork's chances of winning the All-Ireland SHC title, claiming it may be a year too soon for them.

The three-time All-Ireland winner said at the launch of the 2017 GAA Health & Wellbeing Theme Day yesterday: "I know there is an awful lot of work going on at underage level in Cork. I'd be reasonably confident that over the next five, six or seven years we'd be in with a shout of winning the senior All-Ireland.

"Did I think it would happen this year? Absolutely not - particularly with the manner in which we bowed out of the championship last year against Wexford. It's been great, but I can't see it happening this year."

He added: "The new players that have come in have added to it. They have added a new player to every line, which has given everyone a lift.

"To be fair to the older lads, they have stepped up. After some poor performances in the last few years we are really seeing this team playing well."

A central figure in the titanic tussles between Cork and Waterford of a decade ago, Deane says the Deise will be gunning for revenge for their Munster SHC semi-final loss to the Rebels earlier in the summer.

"Success for them is winning an All-Ireland title, whereas Cork are in a different frame of mind, getting their performances right this year," the Killeagh man said.

"We've won a trophy but it's very hard to beat a team a second time. Waterford will be streets ahead of where they were in June. There has been as much talk about the teams they have beaten in the last three games - as opposed to what Cork have done."

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