Cork Hurlers - Part 2

[Blood and Bandage]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020250637985087808

After the pain we endured since the AI final, this is such a breath of fresh air.

 

[Crusty Ring]

We need to show respect to the players also. Yellow cards are routinely issued for innocuous events. Two yellows will get a player sent off, as Eoin Downey found on the biggest stage of all. Referees should only a yellow card when necessary…. That’s what BOC is addressing, and laying the blame at Croke Park.

I agree but at least with a yellow you’ve been warned and know to watch yourself.

Incorrect sending offs happen in every sport including those that have billions invested in them and video replays, do we want to see that in hurling? I don’t anyway

an amateur sport with 8 more players on the field wielding ash sticks is another story.

 

[Bronxrebel]

It’s harsh on some guys who are playing well in the half-forward line, but we need a reliable free-taker, particularly from distance if we’re going to play a short game. Because of that, I think one of Dalton or Cunningham has to start — free-taking is just too important.

My half-back line would be the two Downeys and Joyce. I’d have O’Mahony and Fitzgibbon in midfield, with a half-forward line of Healy, Barrett and Dalton. Harnedy and Cunningham coming off the bench.

Any team without Coleman starting is silly. I do agree with the sentiment that we may have a free taking issue.

 

[Bronxrebel]

the earlier black card changef the game, Tipp were more dominant up to then but we made hay with the extra man

You should check the score before and after the black card. Not sure we made hay.

 

[Rt1001]

Any team without Coleman starting is silly. I do agree with the sentiment that we may have a free taking issue.

Our best free taker is probably Dalton. But will struggle to start unfortunately

 

[Hallbopping]

Dalton is very much a hot-and-cold player. On his day he can look top class (the Limerick game in Croke Park being the obvious example), but when he’s off it, he tends to fade into being fairly average.

Unfortunately, he’s also shown that he rarely sees out a game when starting, and I’m not convinced he offers enough to be a genuine impact option off the bench either.

 

[red&blue]

I agree that halfback line is probably nailed on. Noticeable today that Rob Downey held his position and didn’t follow Ormond out the field. In fact, Rob positioned just in front of full back line, and I don’t think Tipp got any goal chance. Tip employed a sweeper in first half, and Coleman was our free man.. and was very effective.

Coleman was right in front of me for the first half, he was marking a man and only became a free man when Tipp were down to 14 for 10 minutes for a black card

 

[red&blue]

Dalton is very much a hot-and-cold player. On his day he can look top class (the Limerick game in Croke Park being the obvious example), but when he’s off it, he tends to fade into being fairly average.

In fairness you could say that about alot of our players

Unfortunately, he’s also shown that he rarely sees out a game when starting, and I’m not convinced he offers enough to be a genuine impact option off the bench either.

Two reasons why he rarely finishes games

1 he does srruggle a bit with his fitness especially at thhis time of the year and has admitted why himself

2 the amount of work Declan put in wing foward for the last few years was phenomenal, and critical to the way we played, so critical that in last years final Cahill set up a sweeper on his side of the pitch to allow Willie Connors follow him everywhere and close down our system

I cant see Declan starting v Tipp in championship either because Ben likes mobile fast half fowards and Declan is not really suited to playing in a 2 man full foward line

But he will play a big part in our championship season

 

[Jonaldinho]

A nice workout last night. And both teams will probably feel that but nothing more. After what happened in July it was vital Cork started this year strong and we've done that. Our big players are looking sharp and now its about managing them in the lead up to the big day in Thurles on April 19th. That game will be absolutely ravenous that day and its the one everyone will be looking forward to. Ive been very impressed by Ben O Connor. I actually think the way hes doing his interviews etc is to take the spotlight off the lads on the field and let them get on with it. But hes definitely added something to this team so far on the field too and I am really looking forward to seeing it come more to fruition in the coming weeks and months.

The next question is who is Corks best hand currently. For me, based on the 3 games so far, its really hard to sway too much from last years 15 but there may be a few changes:
Collins - nailed on at this stage for the 1 jersey.
Donoghue - One of the best corner backs in the country at this stage.
Daire O Leary - has the jersey at the moment. Looks to be growing into the role in every game. Will have his tough days but looks calm and well able for it.
Niall O Leary - Like SOD, one of the best out there at present. (Mellerick unlucky here but a great option, Eoin Roche can offer something too)
Joyce - Obviously not seen this season but based on last year hes a guarantee. Outstanding player.
Downey - Has his moments where he can struggle a bit (who doesnt) but he is a tower at CB and right now I cant see anyone dislodging him there.
Coleman - looks to be really hurling well these days and defending well also. Invaluable to this team on the ball too. (Cormac O Brien can probably feel unlucky and wouldnt fear him swapping in for any of the 3, Eoin Downey looks better out here too and could force his way in somewhere)
Tim O Mahony - still top class operator and nailed on.
Tommy O Connell - Id have him in here. A real workhorse and tough but a lovely hurler too. Reminds me a bit of Willie Connors for Tipp.
Darragh Fitz - the best player in the country currently (and probably the last 2 seasons). Could play him anywhere but I love him at wing forward. Still may end up as midfield which is ok too.
Shane Barrett - this guy is a class act. Unlucky to be picked out for that sending off last night. His running causes huge issues for teams but hes brilliant in tight spaces too.
Healy - impressed everytime i watch this lad. Has a serious turn of pace and is tough out. Constantly improving too which is very exiciting.
Buckley - Cant wait to see this fella in the hard ground in the summer. Lightening feet. Always feared his size might go against him but he has looked brilliant in the 2 games hes played so far.
Connolly - He always looks like a guy who can explode to life. First instinct is nearly always to go for goal but can pop them over from all angles too.
Hayes - No explanation needed. Class act who is only getting better I feel.

Feel a bit mad leaving out Harnedy whos still class so he may be in there instead of Tommy O connell with Fitz in midfield which is ok too. Fellas will disagree with all that but my opinion based on so far. Ask me again before the team is named for April 19th and it may be different again but who knows. I cant wait for the next few weeks and months to come watching this lot play.

 

[red&blue]

Our best free taker is probably Dalton. But will struggle to start unfortunately

This is my concern, the one guy we know will nail 90% of the long frees will probably be sitting on the bench come championship

I much prefer a free taker who drills the ball rather than floating it, especially on the long range ones and for that reason id be giving Mark Coleman all the frees outside the 65 if Dalton isnt on the pitch