I have read most of the posts on here since last Sunday and to be honest I agree with relatively little of what has been said.
From the suggestion that because Ciaran Joyce was ready for inter county championship that others would be too to the suggestion that because Gerald Mac was ready as a teenager over fifty year ago that others may be even though it is barely recognisable as the same sport and the body shape and size of players has changed enormously.
The introduction last week of Michael Mullins last Sunday shows how much physical development is needed for powerful under 20 players before they are ready for senior.
Just a few years ago the 2023 under 20 players would be contcentating on under age hurling again in 2024 at under 21 level.
Regarding the 2024 senior hurling championship team I think it will be only at the end of the league and with Fitzgibbon cup gone that we will see the core of the championship team develop.
I do think however that PR and his management team have already most of their 2024 team in their collective mind, form and injuries allowing. Otherwise they will have learned very little from last year.
I think if you want to know the template for what it will be then go back to the last championship game at the gaelic grounds.
There are three players back from injury and a couple of younger players that will be given their chance to show they are ready.
I think that Collins will be our goalkeeper in 2024.
I think that Cahalane, Millerick, O Donoghue, Joyce and Downey are likely to start in the backs.
I think Dalton,if fit, Barrett, ROF, Horgan,Connolly and Harnedy , Fitzgibbon(maybe) are all likely starters and a huge challenge for younger players to get past.
Midfield was not settled last year so I have no thoughts on those likely to start but we know the contenders .
I haven't mentioned Mark Coleman because he didn't play last season there is no clue what management have in mind for him and of course Dara Fitzgibbon could easily start in midfield again as could TOM , TOC, B Roche, Ethan Twomey or Luke Meade.
I think that E Roche , Sean Twomey are probably the two younger players that may push hardest for inclusion.
I suppose I would also be curious to see if Daire O Leary is getting back to the level he played at when under age and can Robbie Cotter transfer club form to the inter county scene, he certainly looked physically strong enough when he came on last Sunday.
So , I think change from last year will be minimal, the structure of the preferred team already known.
Young players like Twomey, Roches, TOC and others have to show they are better what was their last year.
This is a positive thing as the better the young players joining the group are then that raises the standard for everyone.
The challenge then falls back to management to get team selection and tactics right. They are probably trying some new things this year and we must allow them the space to do this.
We can't be calling for Cork not to trying to slavishly copy what other counties are doing and then complain when they do something new.
