Cork Hurlers - Part 2

[Corkonian1]

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.

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.

 

[Killyoursons]

Fair play to him for finding 60 that he thinks capable of playing IC hurling.

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.

 

[Killyoursons]

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.

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.)

 

[KolaKubes]

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.)

We really have to get over the hitting wides.

It’s preferable to the common recycling the ball, losing it, point the other way.

 

[Corkfan82]

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.

Agree with alot of that Corkonian1, in particular the AC, GM and COB points.

While JOC is a damn fine player, I think Cork would be much better served developing Ben Cunningham, Alan Walsh ( if an option) over JOC going forward.

Note - Honestly I would rate ROF( injuries et al) ahead of JOC at IC.

I'd have ROF challenging for a bench spot with JOC and LM not making the bench.

 

[KolaKubes]

Agree with alot of that Corkonian1, in particular the AC, GM and COB points.

While JOC is a damn fine player, I think Cork would be much better served developing Ben Cunningham, Alan Walsh ( if an option) over JOC going forward.

Note - Honestly I would rate ROF( injuries et al) ahead of JOC at IC.

I'd have ROF challenging for a bench spot with JOC and LM not making the bench.

I like JOC a lot but I don’t think he’s strong enough for IC.

 

[imigrant]

60 makes 3 squads of 20. Call them Christy, JBM and Brian C put RC in charge of 1 team , Terence in charge of next and Biganne in charge of the 3rd / with BOC to oversee. Play 5 round (weeks ) competition behind closed doors between now and Jan 1 with top 2 contesting the Canon O B. See how fellas perform in match circumstances but use selectors to create a genuine sense of competition between the players. There is no war like civil war.....

 

[StoneHouse]

I was told of 3 players from last years 36 who have been told already they're not involved next year, so hard to believe this story about 60 players training.

 

[Corkfan82]

60 makes 3 squads of 20. Call them Christy, JBM and Brian C put RC in charge of 1 team , Terence in charge of next and Biganne in charge of the 3rd / with BOC to oversee. Play 5 round (weeks ) competition behind closed doors between now and Jan 1 with top 2 contesting the Canon O B. See how fellas perform in match circumstances but use selectors to create a genuine sense of competition between the players. There is no war like civil war.....

Them games would be fascinating..

 

[Corkonian1]

StoneHouse

I also find it hard to believe, to me it's like trying to draw talent like drawing out of a lucky bag although if they go that road immigrant's method makes some sense.

Corkfan82 and KolaKubes

The issue regarding Jack O'Connor is that there aren't many real corner-forwards available with Hoggy gone if Power isn't fully right so the new management may be leaning towards including the likes of Jack and Robbie.