The Cork senior hurlers have issues in defence for a very long time because selectors have been poor and have not addressed those issues. Under Kieran Kingston's management twice and John Meyler & Pat Ryan, a total of 4 managements have selected and played Mark Coleman at 7 mostly and otherwise at 6. How long should it take for them to see the writing on the wall along with the issues at corner-back? It was disgraceful that Conor O'Sullivan and Stephen McDonnell were discarded but the fact remains that natural corner-backs like them don't exist in the county, therefore they have to be manufactured. To do this the attributes required for playing at 2 or 4 have to be assessed and players who already have inter-county experience should be first looked at for those positions rather than playing players out of underage who didn't play in those positions or haven't stood out showing senior inter-county credentials. From underage now and over the past few years I think there are only a few players outside the senior squad and the most obvious is Timmy Wilk to develop into an inter-county corner-back and I state develop because it's not his most natural position. However I believe the Cork management have enough talent firstly within the squad to look at players who have been involved for a while, they need to insure starts for players like Tommy O'Connell and Brian Roche in the team over a few league games or a campaign and the question begs why not play them corner-back? Both of them are tenacious and quick, O'Connell's hurling has stood out often including the AI final in July and Roche was a MOM recipient in senior championship in 2023 but both don't seem to be regarded enough by management for some reason along with the management not thinking outside the box in addressing problematic issues. Eoin Roche is another option that needs to be tried although I believe Tommy and Brian have more hurling to be tidier in this position. Cillian Tobin stood out at wing-back and also when he moved to centre-back for the Cork U-20's this year so why shouldn't he be looked at as a corner-back for the seniors. As a longer term option he may be more suited to full-back than the corner with Eoin Downey corner-back or wing-back. Niall O'Leary had an improved year in 2024 and will be the choice of most and likely the selectors to start corner-back v Wexford but a bolder selection where everyone should learn more from is Brian Roche at 2 and Tommy O'Connell at 4 with either Daire O'Leary or Ger Millerick at 7, the remainder of the defence were first choice in this years championship.
