Not a very exciting selection, tbh. I think what's most disappointing is the conservatism - it looks like in almost every position where there was a choice to be made, management went with the more experienced option. Individually, each if these choices has something to be said for it: Cahalane was solid last year, Coleman is a terrific player whose passing range could be ideal if Waterford crowd the middle, ditto Lehane, while Harnedy and Hoggy are strong candidates in part because of the lack of established alternatives (with Dalton and O'Flynn being injured or only just back). But the overall package looks worryingly familiar. I'm not saying none of the players mentioned should be picked, but there is no curveball, nothing that looks significantly different to what Cork teams have been bringing for the past few years.
I'd be a little worried about how the FB line would cope if Waterford move Kiely inside and go with high ball. The forwards lack pace, which is ironic given the cliché of Cork teams as light and and fast. Barrett is the only one of the front six who is really quick. In some matches last year, especially in Ennis, the lack of pace in the inside forwards cost Cork, and I could see that happening again if (as I expect) Hoggy and Connolly end up inside.
The biggest worry is the middle eight. Waterford know exactly how to approach this match. The template is there from their game against Limerick, where they turned the middle of the pitch into a warzone, slowed down the delivery of good ball into the Limerick inside forwards, and got under their skin to the extent that Limerick could have had more than one red card. Cork need to move the ball quickly, spread the play and avoid being forced to run through the middle, but they will also have to be ready to work just as hard as Waterford to win ball, tackle their men and hold up runners, and break tackles themselves. On paper at least I think Waterford might have the edge here, particularly if it turns out that Cork's inside forwards can't get away from their men to secure good possession.
I would have preferred at least one player whose primary job would be to harry Waterford players and win breaking ball - my choice would have been Brian Roche, others might have preferred O'Mahony - and one quicker player inside along Connolly (I would have gone for Hayes here). Hopefully I'm wrong and the team picked does the job.
I'd be a little worried about how the FB line would cope if Waterford move Kiely inside and go with high ball. The forwards lack pace, which is ironic given the cliché of Cork teams as light and and fast. Barrett is the only one of the front six who is really quick. In some matches last year, especially in Ennis, the lack of pace in the inside forwards cost Cork, and I could see that happening again if (as I expect) Hoggy and Connolly end up inside.
The biggest worry is the middle eight. Waterford know exactly how to approach this match. The template is there from their game against Limerick, where they turned the middle of the pitch into a warzone, slowed down the delivery of good ball into the Limerick inside forwards, and got under their skin to the extent that Limerick could have had more than one red card. Cork need to move the ball quickly, spread the play and avoid being forced to run through the middle, but they will also have to be ready to work just as hard as Waterford to win ball, tackle their men and hold up runners, and break tackles themselves. On paper at least I think Waterford might have the edge here, particularly if it turns out that Cork's inside forwards can't get away from their men to secure good possession.
I would have preferred at least one player whose primary job would be to harry Waterford players and win breaking ball - my choice would have been Brian Roche, others might have preferred O'Mahony - and one quicker player inside along Connolly (I would have gone for Hayes here). Hopefully I'm wrong and the team picked does the job.
, we are going to set up like this?
