Cork Hurlers - Part 2

[Hill Street Blue]

Some big calls to make but thats not the worst problem to have in fairness. Joyce needs to get back playing soon as his wing back spot is under serious threat from young Downey. I hear he still might be looked at for full back but time is running out surely. Midfield is looking like Tim and Tommy; neither of the lads last night are likely to start. Then the last call is Deccie; didn’t score last night and left 2 goals behind him ( arguably the only 2 goal chances we had). I suppose if we are going to go with 2 inside, Deccie loses out to Buckley who is more suited to a roving role anyway. Some big decisions ahead.

 

[smurfay]

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

The difference between Eoghan popping over long range frees with ease last night and our our efforts from distance was fairly frightening. We don't seem to have anyone with the range outside of Dalton. Ben Cunningham is totally unproven at the level and I don't really see him as a bolter given the competition on half forward line either.

Dalton when on his day is phenomenal and would love to see him find consistency, however it seems quite obvious early on in games sometimes when it's not going to be his day. Last night was one of them.

Alan Connolly's free taking was impressive last night and he seemed to come into it from play a lot more after slotting one mid way through the first half.

 

[DougMM]

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

Coleman is a great hurler, but so are the two Downeys and Joyce. In the half-back line, it becomes a question of who will be targeted more in the air on puckouts. You often hear about teams targeting Coleman’s wing on puck-outs, so I’d prefer him in midfield or as the free man if we play two up top.

I think playing two in the full-forward line is the right move, as it opens up more space for the likes of Hayes and Connolly. That extra free man could be Coleman, operating as a link player. You could then have the two Downeys and Joyce in the half-back line, attacking every sliotar, knowing that Coleman is covering behind them.

 

[The Long Puck Home]

I will most definitely hold my hand up. I didn’t think Dáire O’Leary would be good enough. I genuinely must say that last night he was miles better. So much improved. Eoin Downey is definitely more comfortable at wing back too. Ben definitely likes Fitzy in the half forward line and he was the outstanding player on the pitch last night. And to everyone - trust me when I say I’ve been obsessed with Cork hurling since I could walk, but I still call out things when I feel it’s needed. Would people agree or disagree that like Clare in the final two years ago (after 18 minutes or so when Cork were 7 up) & Tipp (obviously particularly in the second half when Cork started 6 up) both got a grip. Basically Clare & Tipp clearly raised their intensity, work rate & tackling. It is the only way to upset Cork. Closing down the space. Just like the final in 06 against Kilkenny. But I am actually hopeful that under Ben Cork are warned. Everyone on the street knows the Cork panel is outstanding. We have the hurlers, the skill, the pace etc. But from what I’ve witnessed so far, we most definitely seem tougher. I’d say the first game against Tipp in Thurles in April will be a cracker with both teams going full throttle. Cork sort of had to win last night but it didn’t really bother Tipp. There was something inevitable about it - but still glad to win it!

 

[Coach and Six]

The difference between Eoghan popping over long range frees with ease last night and our our efforts from distance was fairly frightening. We don't seem to have anyone with the range outside of Dalton. Ben Cunningham is totally unproven at the level and I don't really see him as a bolter given the competition on half forward line either.

Dalton when on his day is phenomenal and would love to see him find consistency, however it seems quite obvious early on in games sometimes when it's not going to be his day. Last night was one of them.

Alan Connolly's free taking was impressive last night and he seemed to come into it from play a lot more after slotting one mid way through the first half.

Dalton has been quite fired up in our games so far. How many times has he given an opposition player a push in the chest in all those off the ball melees?

Free takers need to be a bit more zen to help their consistency. Coleman, Fitzy, Hoggie etc aren't easily fired up. If you're not fully focussed and you're thinking "who does that cunt think he is?" while you're lining up your free, it's not helping.

 

[Random boi]

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

Could Collins take the frees inside Corks 65? He’d have the distance for anything outside his own 45

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

You're well tough with the elderly Id say.

Imagine bragging about trying to intimidate some old lad.

A real hard man.

Jesus wept.

 

[red&blue]

Dalton has been quite fired up in our games so far. How many times has he given an opposition player a push in the chest in all those off the ball melees?

Free takers need to be a bit more zen to help their consistency. Coleman, Fitzy, Hoggie etc aren't easily fired up. If you're not fully focussed and you're thinking "who does that cunt think he is?" while you're lining up your free, it's not helping.

in all fairness how do you know what Deccie, or anyone else for that matter, is thinking when they are over a free?

They all have a set routine and in Daltons case it mostly works

We will struggle to win an all ireland without a 90% free taker

 

[red&blue]

Could Collins take the frees inside Corks 65? He’d have the distance for anything outside his own 45

He would be worth a look at i suppose, but Mark would be the man for me if Deccie isnt on the pitch

 

[leeside_rebel]

Daire O'Leary played very well last night I thought. It will be interesting now to see if he's playing v Kilkenny, if so I reckon he's a cert to start there in championship. If the management have any other plan in their minds it will surely be tried in next game.

As others have said long range free taking is an issue. They are hugely important as you could pick up 3 or 4 points there during a game, could be the difference between winning or losing. Of the players who are guaranteed to start I think Mark Coleman could be the best option to hit them.