Hope so
Hope soI hear Ben and co will bring in 60 to start with
Fair play to him for finding 60 that he thinks capable of playing IC hurling.I hear Ben and co will bring in 60 to start with
Why give more opportunities to JOC, it hasn't worked at IC level over the past few years. Others from Sars like Cian Darcy deserve a run.It was interesting to hear Myler say that his year involved b4 taking on the job himself was a great help in preparing him. Obviously, we can't always arrange it this way but it's a steep learning curve for Ben and his team.
I expect he'll use the league to see who might be added to the squad. Pat Ryan looked at a lot of options so I can't see too many new faces. Maybe Barry Walsh and Brian Cunningham - Leahy was dominated by Damo in Barrs v Imokilly but he'll get his chance too. Power should be close and Jack O Connor will surely get a go.
60 players is far too much, Ben and his selectors should have a keener eye in discerning 35 to 40 players close to inter-county standard. There is simply not enough game time to look at every player even including the Cannon O'Brien Cup and Waterford Crystal unless players are judged on 10/15 minutes of game time.Fair play to him for finding 60 that he thinks capable of playing IC hurling.
Lookit, would I have any confidence in JOC winning a 50 50 ball against an IC defender? not really. Pace only goes so far when its a glorified wrestling match in big games where he gets pushed off the ball quite easily.60 players is far too much, Ben and his selectors should have a keener eye in discerning 35 to 40 players close to inter-county standard. There is simply not enough game time to look at every player even including the Cannon O'Brien Cup and Waterford Crystal unless players are judged on 10/15 minutes of game time.
Corkfan82
Jack has improved in the last year and was key to Sars winning the Munster Club, his work rate and accuracy have improved. IMO Pat Ryan dropped him at the wrong time, I would have Jack ahead of Robbie O'Flynn and if Paudie Power isn't ready then he could become invaluable, if 60 is the squad all 3 will very likely be involved. Cian Darcy has great workrate and pace but needs to work on his hurling big time, maybe Ben could improve him in this regard but it would be a tall order for the new management. Cian would be a fresh face with deadly drive and it would be great if he could improve his hurling for the top level.
I also wouldn't consider Jack deadly at inter-county but he was years involved contributing on and off and when he matured and improved then he got axed.Lookit, would I have any confidence in JOC winning a 50 50 ball against an IC defender? not really. Pace only goes so far when its a glorified wrestling match in big games.
Would I classify him as a constant deadly finisher at IC, not really.
Our Current forwards are full of hurling, we don't need more hurling, we need animals who can win the ball and pop simply passes to our finishers. Darcy is miles ahead of JOC in this regard.
They'll have to cut down to a squad of 36 (I think) for the league. What they might do is bring in a batch of players who might make the grade but who for one reason or another haven't been exposed to senior intercounty yet, and play them in some in-house and challenge matches, just looking for two or three to stand out. Realistically quite a few of the names which have been thrown around here in the past couple of months fit into this category - players who have shown up well with their clubs, in Fitzgibbon or underage with Cork but where there are still question marks.Fair play to him for finding 60 that he thinks capable of playing IC hurling.
O'Connor had a fine season with Sars last year but I am not sure if his overall game has improved all that much. He still shot a share of wides (still has a tendency to land the hard shots and miss easier ones), was fortunate not to walk after a stupid swipe in the AI club SF, and made v little impression in the league vs Tipp. With Sars he's a leader and plays with confidence, and his pace means that unless he is on an outstanding marker he will get on a lot of ball. At intercounty level he hasn't shown anything like that since 2021. I think he'll make the league panel but he'll have to show serious form to get game time,and barring something extraordinary the best he's lookitat is a role off the bench come championship. (Which, to be clear, he could be v effective at - but a lot will have to go right for him to get that chance imo.)Jack has improved in the last year and was key to Sars winning the Munster Club, his work rate and accuracy have improved. IMO Pat Ryan dropped him at the wrong time, I would have Jack ahead of Robbie O'Flynn and if Paudie Power isn't ready then he could become invaluable, if 60 is the squad all 3 will very likely be involved. Cian Darcy has great workrate and pace but needs to work on his hurling big time, maybe Ben could improve him in this regard but it would be a tall order for the new management. Cian would be a fresh face with deadly drive and it would be great if he could improve his hurling for the top level.
We really have to get over the hitting wides.O'Connor had a fine season with Sars last year but I am not sure if his overall game has improved all that much. He still shot a share of wides (still has a tendency to land the hard shots and miss easier ones), was fortunate not to walk after a stupid swipe in the AI club SF, and made v little impression in the league vs Tipp. With Sars he's a leader and plays with confidence, and his pace means that unless he is on an outstanding marker he will get on a lot of ball. At intercounty level he hasn't shown anything like that since 2021. I think he'll make the league panel but he'll have to show serious form to get game time,and barring something extraordinary the best he's lookitat is a role off the bench come championship. (Which, to be clear, he could be v effective at - but a lot will have to go right for him to get that chance imo.)
Agree with alot of that Corkonian1, in particular the AC, GM and COB points.I also wouldn't consider Jack deadly at inter-county but he was years involved contributing on and off and when he matured and improved then he got axed.
The Cork forwards need to improve without the ball full stop, even Seamie Harnedy needs to cut out giving away silly frees and also cut out the wides. Alan Connolly could tackle last Sunday for Blackrock but fouls way too much for Cork.
I think Darcy is similar to JOC more than you think but the former is stronger and the latter is a better hurler, if neither had speed they wouldn't have near enough to offer. I think Darcy needs another string or 2 to his bow, he is not good in the air either but if he is called up he may get the required coaching to improve those areas of his game. I'm not too keen on 'pop passes' and would prefer longer stick passes to guys who can win ball in the air.
Regarding new players Eoin Moloney, Cillian Roche and Cillian Tobin need to come into the fray as the Cork defence needs a shake up, guys who have proven they can defend like Ger Millerick and Cormac O'Brien should be mainstays.
