Cork Hurlers - Part 2

[Crankycorner]

I said here during the week that Offaly were a joke. And if Wexford are a serious test for a full strength Cork the next day then we can write off this year too and let the famine continue

The famine will very likely continue in any case. Can’t see anyone beating Limerick in Croke Park. Wexford have has a really decent league, they tend to. A win up there would be a great end to the league for Cork.

 

[Rebelsforsam1]

Yes!

 

[Sir Shadow]

League will be much more enjoyable next year with just Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Cork, Clare, Galway & Wexford and no meeting of 1B teams in semi’s putting real fear of relegation.

 

[North Cork]

A long drive up but not quite so long on the way back I felt.

First of all I think it needs to be repeated again that playing young lads until they are physically ready just does not work. Offaly were mauled today and just were not even close physically to a Cork team that didn't need to hit top gear.

A worthwhile exercise for Cork and the biggest boost was seeing Dalton, Connolly, Fitzgibbon and TOM on the pitch.

Nobody is getting fooled by this win , but every win is welcome and the game next weekend takes on added significance after today.

I haven't seen anyone saying that Cork are the finished article but in my opinion those on here already dismissing Cork this year are idiots.

To the game.
Niall O Leary looked like a man with a point
to prove and he did so albeit in a total mismatch physically with young Screeney.

Damien Cahalane had possibly the easiest inter county game of his career.

Eoin Downey, did well, is certainly in the thinking as a starter but was lucky that a couple of wayward passes were not punished.

R.Downey, outstanding, clear motm.

TOM, played well but I don't think he is a defender, he takes too many risks and will be punished by better teams. He does bring a lot of physicality and drive and I would like to see him get a go at midfield.

Midfield... I thought Brian Roche was the better of the pair in the first half when the game was more competitive and Luke Meade had a much bigger role in the second half when it wasn't. Either way I don't think this pair can start championship.

In the forwards Dalton looked sharp on his first game back , Connolly showed what we already knew, that he is a serious talent.
Jack O Connor did well but given the opposition I don't know if he did well enough . Still a serious threat with his pace and eye for goal.

I thought Barrett played well throughout and certainly has the physical presence we need. Harnedy the same and great to see him looking fit and well.

I thought Patrick Collins was tester more by the Cork backs than the Offaly forwards and I thought he was delaying his puckouts too much for my liking.

I still continue to believe that Conor Lehane is not bringing enough to the game to merit his inclusion in every game, today was no different. I think he will struggle even more as the games get more competitive.

Great to see the bench emptied with everybody looking fit and well.

 

[red&blue]

Before I post in detail I just want to remind everyone that a) this is only the league, b) we only beat Offaly, c) the pitch was shocking and d) there was a serious lack of physicality in that game

Now having said all that we were impressive today.and you can see guys improving all the time. If we can cut out the silly sideways 10 yard passes in our own half backline/midfield and start feeding the fowards faster ball we will be on the right road

Patick Collins done well even if he was hardly tested, he was assured on the ball throughout. At this stage he will be our goalie come championship

Niall O Leary had a very good game and that needs to be acknowledged but he is now in a 3 way battle for 2 spots and I think he will miss out

Damien Cahalane was assured throughout but again he was barely tested. It looks like he has seen off Eoin Roche for the no 3 jersey at this stage

Eoin Downey was very good, I love this guys swagger and no bullshit approach. He has to start championship at 4

Ger Millerick was Ger Millerick, industrious, doing the simple things. His hurling leaves him down at times but 5 suits him best. He should start championship there

Tim O Mahony was very solid, the man is a monster! I just don’t like him in defence when we need him further up the pitch. Good alternative to Joyce if needs be though. I’d love to see him at 10, they seem to like him at 5 but I’m getting a feeling we will see him at 8 come championship

Robert Downey is a guy I have great time for, like his brother he loves the rough and tumble, he is a very good 7, the best we have in my opinion, and is nailed on to start championship

Like Meade played very well today, he is a great link man, but I just don’t think he has the physicality for midfield unless he’s paired with Tim. Great option to have on the bench though

Brian Roche worked really hard today but just lacks that killer first touch to get him out of trouble. Is probably 4th in line behind Tommy, Ethan and Luke at this stage

Declan Dalton again showed his value to the team today, works his socks off up and down the pitch, great distributor of the ball and adds much needed physicality to our foward line. Has to start at 10

Conor Lehane was again industrious and revelled in the space he got. We all know how good he is in that type of game, it’s when the tempature is turned up in championship i have my doubts

Seamus Harnedy was Seanus, wins loads of ball, lays off great passes and chips in with a few points. Will be in a battle with Sean Twomey and possibly Tim O Mahony for the 12 jersey, i think Seamus might have more value off the bench this year

Shane Barrett was his usual self, great movement, a good team player but his shooting still leaves a question mark for championship

Alan Connolly must now be given the no 14 jersey for every game he’s fit for. He has that lethal instinct for goal we probably haven’t seen since Setanta. A cert for me now

Jack O Connor again done some great things when he’s in possession but against a weak backline he struggled to win primary possession. He’s in a battle with Shane Kingston for the impact sub and right now I’d say he’s behind Shane

Darragh Fitzgibbon has to be played in the half foward line where he has the freedom to run off the shoulder and do damage. He must start at 11 against Wexford

Brian Hayes was again very good off the bench, and as I said before, I think that’s his best role going foward, but his form might dictate a start yet

Robbie Cotter worked hard and played his part but I think he may be just short of what’s required at this level

Ditto Cormac O Brien, a guy that gives his all every time he plays

Team for Wexford (and championship)

P Collins
SODonoghue DCahalane EDowney
GMillerick CJoyce RDowney
TOMahony TOConnell
DDalton DFitzgibbon STwomey
SBarrett AConnolly PHorgan

Subs
BSaunderson NOLeary ERoche, BRoche, LMeade, SHarnedy, BCunningham, CLehane, BHayes, SKingston, JOConnor,

Mark Coleman and Ethan Twomey to come back into the panel when fit

 

[Corkfan82]

With Offaly so bad its hard to judge that game but here goes.

Great to see Connelly our goal scorer back in action. Great to see him creating goals from 50 50 ball.

Dalton is a great bit of stuff. Solid player with a presence. No easy game for an opposition wing back when marking Dalton.

The Downeys did well, nice aggression and Rob Downey has good wrists and excellent distribution especially from Rob.

Mellerick did fine, nice and tidy.

NOL hurled a world of ball.

TOM also hurled a world of ball to his credit but gave any some draft fees. He seems to piss refs off alot...

Barrett set up the final 2 goals well to the flyers off the bench, Fitz and Kingston. Fitz looks stronger this year and is class when fed ball. He offers so much more than lehane at CF IMO.

JOC looked sharp.

Midfield did well but not well enough to displace TOC in the picking order. Offaly were so poor. Meade got on alot of ball especially in 2nd half to his credit. He has the skills and link up play. People will disagree with me but his lack of physically will tell vs the limerick, tipp and clare midfields. Roche worked hard and did ok. TOC is still ahead of both and Coleman will offer much more than Meade I hope.

B Hayes was moving well when introduced.

Great to see completion for places

 

[red&blue]

Waterford and Offaly are relegated now?

Davy be happier down with the small fish ?

 

[Dick Holder]

How do they decide the best 4th placed team? If it's on scoring difference, it'd be hard for Dublin to overtake us.

 

[Patman360]

How do they decide the best 4th placed team? If it's on scoring difference, it'd be hard for Dublin to overtake us.

Think there’s a playoff between both fourth place teams.

 

[AllCork32]

My updated championship team would be as follows:
BS
GM DC SOD
RD CJ ED
MC TOC TOM
ST DF DD
AC ROF
Subs (in order): SK, JOC, ET, BC, BH.
Reason for changes:
Eoin Downey for Conor O'Callaghan, Ger Millerick is better in the corner and Eoin would be a better wing back than COC.

My championship team would be as follows:
BS
GM DC SOD
RD CJ ED
MC TOC TOM
ST DF DD
AC ROF
Subs (in order): SK, SB, JOC, SH, BH.
Reason for changes:
No change, You can start to see the path now where we could set alight in championship and even with all the moaning and groaning, I think we are twice the team we were last year because we're peaking at the right time.

The challenge now is to get all the guys who are returning from injury up to speed, and then keep injury free.

I'm very confident now that we can get out of Munster this year.

For the old brigade, its time to move on. Lehane is anonymous for every game he plays at this stage, Fitz did more in 30 seconds than what Conor did the whole game, Sham just hasn't got the legs for it anymore, the best of the lot but he's not effective enough anymore and finally hoggie, I think connolly showed today that PH is no longer one of our top forwards. When robbie returns he will oust pat from 14 and leave dalton on the frees.