Cork Hurlers - Part 2

[St fachtna]

Sometimes a player is put into a position for the good of the team rather than being put into a position that may suit him best. Declan Dalton is imo played at wing forward for his strength and ball winning ability. By that I mean that even if he isn't winning clear possession, generally speaking neither is his marker.
I think at the very highest level when the ground is hard and hurling at it's fastest I think he lacks a yard of pace for the half forward line.
I think that he would provide a huge threat at full forward whereas Alan Connolly may be more dangerous with more space to play in because he is also a decent ball winner but is very very pacy.

I think that Hayes, Barrett , Harnedy, Connolly and Healy will all be hard to shift off the team next year. Unlike some on here I do really rate Alan Connolly highly and I think with a bit more freedom on the pitch he can be a huge player for us. Harnedy may not start every game , but maybe he will depending on form and fitness. Either way it is a difficult team to break into.


I notice one poster in particular constantly refer to the two points scored in the second half of the All Ireland final and I think it must be the only game he watched all season as anyone watching Cork this season will realise and accept this is a potent forward line that had an absolute nightmare against Tipp in spite of beating them comfortably twice before. The challenge for BOC is to make sure these collapses stop happening, we saw it earlier against Limerick as well . I thought the point made by Ciaran Carey was valid when he mentioned the lack of leadership on the team.

Orrevt 2 or 3 leaders are needed

 

[Come off the stage]

I half agree. Dalton brings a lot to the team in terms of workrate, physical presence, and scoring - when he's on his game. The problem is that when he's off he can be v flat (a bit like O'Mahony in that respect). There were few enough games last season where he really stood out.

I wouldn't hold the lack of pace against him, but he does seem to fade out of games in the second half. And he's not great at winning contested ball in the air. I wouldn't be calling for him to be dropped, but if (a big if) a couple of other options emerge at HF it might happen. I could also see him switched inside to 14 during games, but I am not sure about him starting there, for the reason Corkonian outlined.

The narrative around Dalton is funny. He'd a poor final. Show me a Cork player who didn't. The rest of his championship campaign was Sub against Clare where the 2nd half was a collapse. Started scored 1-5 man of the match against Tipp. Injured after 5 mins versus limerick missed the Waterford game and Munster Final. Scored 0-5 against Dublin and was praised for his performance so realistically in 2 of the 3 games he started and played the majority of he played well. Whether he starts in 2026 is a different discussion but he'd a better campaign off limited matches than people realise

 

[Killyoursons]

The narrative around Dalton is funny. He'd a poor final. Show me a Cork player who didn't. The rest of his championship campaign was Sub against Clare where the 2nd half was a collapse. Started scored 1-5 man of the match against Tipp. Injured after 5 mins versus limerick missed the Waterford game and Munster Final. Scored 0-5 against Dublin and was praised for his performance so realistically in 2 of the 3 games he started and played the majority of he played well. Whether he starts in 2026 is a different discussion but he'd a better campaign off limited matches than people realise

I wouldn't disagree with your assessments, except to point out that the two games in which he played well were cakewalks. Don't recall him making any impact v Clare - you could argue that a lot of Cork players didn't in that match but you'd be looking for a physically imposing forward coming in off the bench to stand up in that scenario, a bit like Harnedy did in the even greater meltdown that was the AI final.

 

[Corkfan82]

Completely agree with this, need to get back to basics and employ defenders who’s main focus is shutting down the oppositions main threats.

Personally I think Fitz going to centre forward and Mark Coleman going midfield with Tim should be looked at, Twomey and Tommy O Connell available for cover.

Joyce Rob Downey COB at halfback, also need cover at full back I like Eoin Downey a lot but he didn’t have the greatest year this year but I would fancy him to bounce back still a young lad and has learned a lot in the past 2 years, Mullins, Millerick and Damo available for cover but I think we need to develop some competition at full back if Moloney from Midelton got over his injury in time do people think he could get to IC level?

I like that wing back line, if anyone drops form or is in anyway injuried ( Cough Rob Downey) sub Mullins in.

I'd start TOC with TOM midfield with Coleman coming on down the stretch when the game opens up and I'd also start Mellerick either at full Back or corner.

The additions of Mellerick, COB, TOC should bring more grit and resilience to defense and midfield.

 

[Henrys Fonda]

Knowing BOC and his attitude to workrate, I doubt he will have Harnedy or Dalton featuring. If they do feature, it won't be starting. I'm a big fan of Dalton, love the aggression and devilment he brings, but the fact he is 27/28 and is incapable of playing 70+ minutes is not a good look for an IC player

 

[Megelus]

Knowing BOC and his attitude to workrate, I doubt he will have Harnedy or Dalton featuring. If they do feature, it won't be starting. I'm a big fan of Dalton, love the aggression and devilment he brings, but the fact he is 27/28 and is incapable of playing 70+ minutes is not a good look for an IC player

I know hes always taken off, but what's the reason? Is it fitness?

I remember the final last year he seemed incredibly pissed off at being subbed out.

All this talk of putting him at FF, if he was dominant under a high ball I'd put him at sweeper and let him knock points over from the half back line

 

[StoneHouse]

Dalton is ripped, he's all muscle. The reason he's taken off is because it's easier take him off than some bigger names.

 

[North Cork Star]

Completely agree with this, need to get back to basics and employ defenders who’s main focus is shutting down the oppositions main threats.

Personally I think Fitz going to centre forward and Mark Coleman going midfield with Tim should be looked at, Twomey and Tommy O Connell available for cover.

Joyce Rob Downey COB at halfback, also need cover at full back I like Eoin Downey a lot but he didn’t have the greatest year this year but I would fancy him to bounce back still a young lad and has learned a lot in the past 2 years, Mullins, Millerick and Damo available for cover but I think we need to develop some competition at full back if Moloney from Midelton got over his injury in time do people think he could get to IC level?

I was very impressed with Eoin Moloney at full back for Midleton this year. Only 25 too I think. Unfortunately, if reports are true that he ruptured his achilles, that is him 12-15 months on the sideline. But I agree, we need to look outside the box particularly for defenders. Someone like Cillian Roche from Sars might be worth a look, for example. Up the field, I would like to see Cian D'Arcy and Brian O' Sullivan called up. Hugh O' Connor from Newmarket is an interesting project. He may be a hidden gem or it won't work but worth a try based on his 2 performances I saw him for the U20s last year. Obviously up front, Alan Walsh should get a look at too. And Gavin Connolly and Paudie O' Sullivan as goalkeepers should get a look in.

 

[Matlock]

Knowing BOC and his attitude to workrate, I doubt he will have Harnedy or Dalton featuring. If they do feature, it won't be starting. I'm a big fan of Dalton, love the aggression and devilment he brings, but the fact he is 27/28 and is incapable of playing 70+ minutes is not a good look for an IC player

That's a great description of him!

 

[jimmym]

There was a time when Timmy Mc Always seemed to be the fella who was called ashore first, One tipp half back remarked
that when he saw Timmy go off after 50 mins or so he would breathe a sigh of relief, He said Timmy never gave him a moments peace,