Orchard Thief
I have to disagree with you and agree with JBS on the dropping of standards and also Cork are still not in reality mode when it comes to underage. County Board/Rebel Og have appointed guys over our current county underage teams who have previously failed as managers and selectors of previous county underage teams. Once that occurs there is no facing up to reality by the powers that be, and changing the diet, focusing greater on S&C, more trainers and physios doesn't count for much if the bread and butter of preparing teams is not evident.
The game has changed to rucks, throwing the sliotar, a total ignoring of the 3rd man tackle rule, playing with a tennis ball type sliotar and therefore is faster at every level which increases the trainers, S&C experts and physios who are dealing with a newer breed of player who seldom has done any manual labour in their lives and get injured far more easily and too often, which has fueled the fitness training business where many with ample time sees the opportunity to become affluent. Tell me what skills are more advanced, the drop-shot when a player is bottled up is gone out of the game (do you remember Brian Corcoran's drop-shot goal in Croker, there's no ground hurling or over head striking ala John Fenton, Ger Mac and JBM, no coach would even contemplate showing a player those skills.
Also it was long after the Barry's Tea jerseys when a Cork underage selector told me about the players having to hand back polo shirts to the CB when they were given to them just to wear on the bus journey when going to play Kilkenny. To think the selectors who came after him are back involved now is a major backward step.
Don't forget our powers that be in Cork brought in a rule that 18 year old's can only play junior with their clubs which stifles development for U-20 level. The new Ballyhea/Milford amalgamation at underage are not allowed play Premier 2 Minor hurling this year by the same powers although they played Minor A as separate clubs last year, another restriction against development and there are other amalgamations treated the same. At least Ballyhea/Milford should be tested v Mallow who currently have 2 Cork minor starters.
