Cork Footballers

I was speaking with work colleague yesterday and he can't believe how poorly conditioned Cork seem to be. His take was, Cork were more than well in it v Kerry, completely gassed with 10-15 mins to go. Donegal, on the ropes near the end. Tyrone dropped off with 10 to go again.
I tried to say that this was due to the effort put in to get to 60 mins and be still in the game, he didn't agree.
There’s nothing wrong with the conditioning now. It has improved vastly in a short period of time.

We didn’t run out of steam against Kerry and Tyrone because of conditioning. Both teams formed a defensive block and we got ragged trying to find ways to break it down. We just don’t have the shooters to punish a defensive system and this is my fear against Louth on Sunday.

That said, playing Division 1 would help align our conditioning with that of the top teams even better. A bit of an issue is that when we start Walsh, Maguire and O’Callaghan in the same team we are limited with options to give fresh legs to that area of the team which is crucial.
 
There’s nothing wrong with the conditioning now. It has improved vastly in a short period of time.
Nirl
We didn’t run out of steam against Kerry and Tyrone because of conditioning. Both teams formed a defensive block and we got ragged trying to find ways to break it down. We just don’t have the shooters to punish a defensive system and this is my fear against Louth on Sunday.

That said, playing Division 1 would help align our conditioning with that of the top teams even better. A bit of an issue is that when we start Walsh, Maguire and O’Callaghan in the same team we are limited with options to give fresh legs to that area of the team which is crucial.
Daniel O Connell is flying it again with Kanturk after some very bad injuries.I dont see why he couldnt have been brought into the training panel at the least to see how he goes.Id like to see powter back to 5 and Meehan come into half back line he has never let cork down.Tommy walsh back into the corner with Mahony and I dont know why Kevin O Donovan is not there also.He would have been a good option to put on McCurry the last day.
 
Daniel O Connell is flying it again with Kanturk after some very bad injuries.I dont see why he couldnt have been brought into the training panel at the least to see how he goes.Id like to see powter back to 5 and Meehan come into half back line he has never let cork down.Tommy walsh back into the corner with Mahony and I dont know why Kevin O Donovan is not there also.He would have been a good option to put on McCurry the last day.
I think O’Donovan is injured or was injured anyway. I honestly think the management have their ears to the ground when it comes to players in form around the county and are willing to give players a chance. O’Connell would have a lot to prove yet to be drafted into the matchday panel. He’s better off with his club at the moment.

On Sunday I think we need to opt for another shooter at the expense of some graft. For that reason I would start Hurley(if fit) in place of Paul Walsh. Could maybe do with a bigger attacking threat than Shanley at wing back too.
 
Just a few points about recent commentary.
Why are we talking about bringing lads into the panel at a preliminary quarter final stage, there is a panel of 30 players there. It is nonsense at this stage of the season bringing in players who are not au fait with the style of play, calls, etc. I agree some of the names mentioned here like O' Connell, Dano & Phelan could still offer us something but next season is the time for that.
I would argue utilizing the bench that is there more and in good time would be a greater asset, we needed fresh legs on after 10 mins of the second half v Tyrone.
2 subs made prior to 65 mins, 3 then from there to full time when chasing the game.
Their fitness levels are excellent, the style of football Cork play requires this. We are not a kicking team. The fitness shown v Donegal in extreme heat were outstanding. End of argument.
I beated the drum about taking Powter out of centre forward during the league ( and castigated for it), its not his best or most natural position, they need to look at someone else for this role going forward, it will be a brave call, I would like to see Hurley there if fit or O' Hanlon who is an excellent kicker. Powter has come off in the majority of games possibly because he just does nt have 70 mins in his legs because of his study commitments. Would it be an idea to bring him on for last 20 mins and he could really hurt teams?
Our team now are very well structured with an obvious game plan, except for our forward line who are completely unstructured, they lack shape and depth against a mass defence.
That is what will separate the teams left in Sam and where the gains are going to be made in the knockout stages, this requires alot of work, coaching and time.
If nothing else was done this week and after if we qualify for the proper q finals it will give us a fighting chance.
Best of luck to al involved on Sunday. Rebels abu.
 
I don’t believe that’s down to physical conditioning at all. Cork have won plenty of games with strong finishes over the last two years.

I suspect though that there are two things at play, one is the fact that from nearly 10 years out of division one the mental effort and concentration required to live with the best teams for 70 minutes is a factor.

The other and probably more pertinent factor is we don’t have the strength in depth of some of the top teams. A lot of our subs are great lads who are game out but have been knocking around a long time and weren’t quite at the races at the highest level when they were in their mid 20s starting games let alone now.
 
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