Tipp are a different kettle of fish to Offaly
Tipp are a different kettle of fish to OffalyThere is no way back for this team
They got bate out the gate.
Nothing good to say about this performance.
They were lethargic from the off.
The effort of our no 6 for their 1st goal sums up everything that was wrong
It's hard to believe how good hurlers could perform like this
I'm baffled
They have credit in the bank at this level and should get another chance next year, even if they lose this year.This is very, very poor all over and Tipp are playing very well but surely now this management setup have a little bit of credit in the bank before lads start about them with the axe.
all of a sudden me hole, I have been saying this for the last few years despite the bandwagon to anoint him as heir in waitingA few of us had been warning here that this team was vulnerable despite winning the first three matches, but this was worse than I had feared. The whole defence was shredded - the inside line couldn't get tight enough, but part of the problem was runners coming through from deep, as for the second and third goals. O'Regan has been highlighted before as not being comfortable at 6, but I thought the whole hb line and the midfield were not holding up the man in possession or were not covering back quickly enough.
There is a really obvious problem also with defenders, especially half-backs, not catching high balls - it is one of the ways this team have become too predictable. Tipp's forwards did outfield their men on occasion, but they did way more damage by reading the breaks better and snapping up loose ball.
Healy, Leahy and Buckley were all very well contained, and Cork had very little punch elsewhere. In the first half O'Connell got on a lot of ball but his radar was off. I think Dwyer was Cork's top scorer from play, which speaks volumes. Adam O'Sullivan looked lively off the bench. Barry Walsh had a quiet game unfortunately. And while Cork did shoot a fair number of wides, they created far fewer scoring chances than they would have expected to.
One worrying thing was the way that some players were completely knocked off their game and rattled by the way the match went. Cillian Tobin can't be faulted for effort but he had to come off, otherwise he would certainly have picked up a second yellow. Buckley is normally very composed in possession and makes the right decision, but in the second half he got into space and took the wrong option on more than one occasion.
Cork have at least one more match, so they have the chance to bounce back, but that was the kind of defeat that can really shake a side's confidence. All of a sudden, too, there will be questions about whether Ben O'Connor is the right man for the senior job.
Also worth saying that Tipp were excellent: very well-organised, played a great brand of hurling with a ruthless streak when required. A far cry from last year when they looked v one-dimensional and Cummins was widely criticised in Tipp for forcing them to play an over-complicated game.
You're right that Cork can't finish top, so will be in a SF.Cork can't finish top now, tipp are joint top after tonight and take cork on head to head. Plus they still have a game to play.
If Clare beat Waterford and Tipp they'd be direct to final.
And cork Tipp semi final
If Tipp beat Clare in final round Tipp go directly to final , with a cork Clare semi
Myself and finbarrog could nearly have coached last years group to an all ireland they were that goodThey have credit in the bank at this level and should get another chance next year, even if they lose this year.
Spot on, but it’s probably even more important that our good youngsters get exposed to a different style of play that matches the seniors . In 2 or 3 years time they will be our seniorsAt senior level, however, I think we could without another coach who prioritises small, skilful players and a running game over more physical and hard-working players. We've spent the last 19 years with a near identical game plan and selection policy.
Me too if the management swallow their pride and let the players cut looseThis team has gone from looking very balanced at minor level and winning every game by 10 + points, to looking very one dimensional. I still think they could win an AI but they have to get more of a goal scoring threat.
In fairness to Ben, his record as coach/manager would stand up against most candidates in Cork at least. And I think last year's team were a bit more direct, the big difference being that they had Cunningham and, in early games at least, Colin Walsh alongside Healy as target men. So while a running game is clearly Ben's preference, he might be willing to cut his cloth a bit more than you suggest. But this year there's no doubt the team has become lop-sided in how they attack.all of a sudden me hole, I have been saying this for the last few years despite the bandwagon to anoint him as heir in waiting
Ben is a lovely guy and a very good coach but he is wedded to the running game. The last thing we need at senior is the return of the Harlem Globetrotters
I wonder where the gobshite ridiculing me on here last week over this is hiding? 3 out of 3 me ring
I have already said Ben is a great coach but he is the last thing we need at senior levelIn fairness to Ben, his record as coach/manager would stand up against most candidates in Cork at least. And I think last year's team were a bit more direct, the big difference being that they had Cunningham and, in early games at least, Colin Walsh alongside Healy as target men. So while a running game is clearly Ben's preference, he might be willing to cut his cloth a bit more than you suggest. But this year there's no doubt the team has become lop-sided in how they attack.
