Cork GAA Discussion Thread

Kilkenny Starting again for dublin in a second string side.He wont be hurling that for sure.

D'Agger wrote: »

That's the thing - you could get some second season syndrome from Cork this year - that or they might just fall short of elevated expectations from reaching the final this year.

On the flip side of that, the confidence instilled in such a young group of players by getting to an All Ireland final, could allow them to push on and make them strong contenders once again this year.

Even as a Kerryman with a Limerick father, I wouldn't mind seeing Cork in the mix again, always good for the championship

The key to avoiding second season syndrome,is to avoid a stale lethargic syndrome in team ,and the key to avoiding that will be introducing fresh faces ,that bring a hunger to the set up,increase competition within the squad ,and thus most importanly get rid of some of deadwood on the panel that are not up it .



In relation to kerry Hurling,interestingly will be the progress they can make under the stewardship of eammon kelly and horgan of tippeary and the input brendan cummins makes,he is involved also.
A good set up there it seems.

THE Mcgrath Cup semifinal Sunday at 2pm ,with Cork v UL, in Mallow is the first time both sides have met since 2009 in the final in Pairc u Rinn,Cork won 1-13 to 0-6,and not contary to what was reported in the Paper tonight ,in that the last Cork -Ul encounter was in the 2007 semifinal ,when Cork won 3-22 to 0-4 in Pairc UI Rinn.

That final in 2009 that Cork won has  links with Sunday on both sides of the line in that  Eoin Sexton now a selector,and Fintan Gould who played centre forward and got two points ,were on that Cork team.


The Colleges entered the Mcgrath Cup in the mid 2000s ,and Ul's record is they have won won 6 out of 14 games,Cork since 2000 have won 18 out of 21 games aproxiatemely.

It is hard to do an exact preview when we don't really know what team UL will field and understandably so it could change up to that morning of the game in that,academic commitments may and rightfully so take priority,players that even played Sunday may not play this week ,as Intercounty managers may want to limit the involment of certain players with the league around the corner,or even Liam Kearns may not have a total focus on this with a big game against Queens around the corner.

Information opens up the world of possibiles ,so as the information on Ul is uncertain ,in that many different possibites may unfold.
I will base my assement of Sunday's game ,on the basis Ul field the strongest line up.Obivously if there is changes ,it may mean a weaker challenge is forthcoming from them.


Corks have expierence in Ken O Hallorhan in goal ,and is a solid keeper and now Quirke who was vastly underated ,could step from he's shadow and create he's own legacey.Pryce is an able replacement for Sunday if the need arises.

The big worry is the full back line.Very much inexpierenced ,with Clancy ,not a fullback ,and the question marks are,has he the discipline and organistion to man that aera,and not only contain James O'Donoghue an All Star ,who got 1-10 last Sunday ,and three points of a much more expierenced Cork full back line in Killarney in the summer,and no less than an all star nominee even though he was injured ,in Eoin Cadogan.


The other point to remember is Noel Galvin is trying to cement a place at corner back that is up for grabs on the team ,and John Mcloughlin as has been proven at Intermediate for Kanturk ,and at intercounty for Cork ,against Kerry in tralee in the league last year is far from watertight.

I can justify why and I do agree the management were correct in picking Halloran in goal,as he has a bit of expierence and can bring that ,which will be much needed in the sense,Mcloughlin,and Galvin are inexpierenced ,and that will help Clancy in particular ,with Ken shouting the instructions.

If Ul ,start Ian Burke,Cadbury U21 player of the year last year,four points againtst Cork in the All Ireland Final,and Brian O Shea starts in the other corner that full forward line will score .

The Cork half back is strong,with Loughrey a powerful ball carrier,with the stamina of marathon runner ,and a player that is similar to John Miskella ,in that he loves to attack and drive forward at right half back.Fintan Gould ,brings pace,knowlege of this position ,and is a tough tackler and will know when to defend and attack.In fact many people would have maintained Gould ,if not at midfield ,this was an option ,that Counihan should have used him before.Of course he did,but threw him in at the deep end as a centre back aginst Donegal in 2012 semi final  that greatly backfired,as like the majority of what Counihan done in he's latter years ,he just made changes without any proper planning or thought process in to the decisons.Kevin O'Driscoll looked very good Sunday ,attacking wise ,two points ,but he was never tested in truth ,defensively.


If Ul go with Paul Whyte a star player with Waterford in that leading scorer in the County Championship when he was 17 and superb in a qualifer against Galway last year ,and if John O Rourke is moved out from the full forward line to where he is at most at home ,in the half forward line ,complimented by either Danny Neville ,James O Meara(injury permitting) or Eoghan O Connor of Offaly ,that is a solid line of intercounty players ,with a mixture of skill,wizardy ,pace,strength,and hard graft with ,in particular O'Rourke or O'Meara having the necessary attuide,and engine ,to track back and mark the Cork half backs when they bomb forward.

Whyte may be put on Loughrey,by both Kearns and Cuthbhert.Cuthbhert will want he's toughest back back in that unit to keep a track on Uls top gun ,while Kearns even if it is, at risk of Whyte being kept quiet,at least if Loughrey is on him ,it will keep him defensively minded and less likely to attack forward.

This could be fasinating,in who UL,who start,and what the match up's materilise in to.

Midfield,Cork have Micheal O Laoire ,a fabolus U21 in 2011,and superb in the U21 All Ireland Junior winning championship last year,forming a superb partnership with Munster Junior Player ,and A member of the Cork club team of the year ,on that junior team and Captain Ruairi Deane.

He's partner Sunday  is Andrew the Butcher O Sullivan.An Al Ireland junior and  winner on a few occassions and captained Cork in 2007 to win the U21 title  ,and with Cork seniors in 2008,and last year this is he's third coming.Has been exposed for a lack of pure footballing abilty at senior and pace on hard,fast ground ,he may survive Sunday against probably Phelim Mccugh of Leitrim ,but it is hard to see him starting the Championship.Played half forward last week.


Cork have ,Colm O'Driscoll ,Mark Sugre and Paul Kerrigan.A lot of pace,hard graft ,and creativity there.
Probably and again this is not a guarantee ,but a guess that the half back line for Ul, may feautre ,Tom Clancy ,Dessie Moyne ,both intercounty players ,but Moyne has a lot of expierence and like our own Loughrey,any half back that holds there own,in there cases they have excelled ,in the teak tough Ulster Championship,they deserve the utmost of respect.
Throw in luke Mulligan of Kerry ,and they have a solid line of defence,bv a platform to launch attacks and get fast ball in to a potentially lethal full forward line.
Sugrue has played U21 hurling and football ,Intermediate and Junior Football for Cork and is a fine talent with plenty of expierence in big games and was a minor with Cork in 2010 also.
He is a big game playes,superb against Tipp in Thurles in the football U21 final last year ,and made a big impact with a goal against Tipp in the U21 game,and that goal was one of the brightest points amid a dark,dark cloud ,on Cork hurling,despite it being a splendid warm eveining in thurles that night.
He has beautfiul,poise,balance,a lovely running stride in he rarely breaks stride and eats ground.
He's battle against the expierenced tough battle hardened Moyne will be great to watch and while moyne may come out on top,Sugrue could learn a lot from such an opponent.
Tom Clancy UL,may be the man to mark the blistering Kerrigan.Paul is now a very much expierenced player of this Cork team,and must show that.He always had pace,and tons of abilty ,but often lacked the consistenty ,and could be bypassed in games.He has all the attriubtes skill wise for the modern game.
He must combine that with attuide.
That charcterstic comes from within .He can't be thought it now.
He like Patrick Horgan done last year,needs to choose what that attuide will be.

Brian Cocorcan in the splendid "Every Single Ball"said you choose your attitude as a player.Pauls time starts Sunday.
Corks Colm O Driscoll,probably seen as the weakest of the Cork unit(does not mean he is a bad player)is up against Mulligan probably who may be seen in the same regard with Ul.


The Cork Full Forward Line of Daniel Goulding,Donnacha O Connor and John Hayes ,could be up against two lads with Intercounty expierence ,in David Dolan,a Mayo Minor ,who held Kyle Coney and James O'Donugouhe at minor ,and may be moved from half back to where he started last week to corner back,if Moyne starts in the half back Line .

Wille if he starts mark Goulding ,who seemed injured last week ,or mark Hayes remains to be seen.Goulding has the talent,and while some Cork fans think he is lazy at times,I think ,he is a super ,striker of the ball and was frustrated by the lack of ball he got under Counhihans regin,bar the 2009 semi final against Tyroyne where Cork played ,fast open,intelligent football and he was magnifcent that day .That was a joy to watch and showed how good that Cork team were.

Donnacha should have the cutness of he's Kerry Genes (father a kerryman)and the brains of a Cork man,and hes footballing abilty ,should make up for he's lack of pace.I have said every Cork player should have pace ,but Donnacha brings so much to the table,not only can he score but he brings others in to the game,holds up the ball well,and has leadership qualites he is a big player for Cork.
John Hayes ,is great to watch,no doubt when he is on form  and glides over the field,but what he must show us ,is can he dig deep,and if it is a wet heavy day,and he is getting little space ,can he when the need is greatest win he's own ball,work hard of the ball and be a match winner in big games like Colm O Neill and Brian Hurley can.
Time will tell.

On the bench Cork bar Kevin Crowley,Barry O Driscoll,Cork seem to be a bit lightweight,so it may be very much up to the 1st 15,to lay down a platform from where to launch a  second win in the Cuthbhert reign.
UL have Kinsale player Mark Eaton involved,and Daly,and Spillane of Kerry may feature.

Management is always a very important  piece in the jigsaw ,when doing a match preview.Liam Kearns won Limerick a Munster U21 title in 2000,and got to an All Ireland Final,the first time in there History  only to be beaten by a super Tyryone team coached by Mikey Harte  ,that had won a minor All Ireland ,and that won two in a row at U21,and most of the Tyryone team went to win at Senior,that is how good they were.

That was a fantastic achievement in the context of Limerck Football where it is a poor relation to Hurling in the County.He won Limerick 3 Mcgrath Cups,they have won just four in total since 1981.
He coached Aherlow to a Tippereary Senior County .
He coached Limerick seniors to beat Cork in Munster by ten points in 2003 down in Cork  ,and took Kerry to a replay in a Munster Final and done themselves Credit in both games with the Kingdom in 2004,and kerry won the All Ireland.
Yes with Laois it was not successful,but he's overall record is fantastic.

Corks main man,Brian Cuthbhert ,got Cork to a minor football final,and  he's Club record is a county semi final with Bishoptown.He has been involved in the overview of Cork Development Squad.


The Mcgrath Cup ,last won by Cork in 2012,and never won by a college team yet may not seem a huge competition in comparision to others.In fact since 1981,and its inception in to the game,no team ,Cork or Kerry that won it,won the All Ireland that year.Surely that trend won't last forever.
That is not to take away from what is a good competition ,and it does give you most days good prepartion for the league and is ideal to blood new players and blow of the Christmas Cowbebs ,and for Colledge teams a good run out for there panel in the lead up to the Sigerson.
Sunday has all the makings of a good game ,and if Cork can hold James O'Donughue they should win,as there is scoring in our front six,as they conceded four goals the weekend.At the same time ,they got 5 goals Sunday and could even be stronger up front.
Bring on Sunday .

Just on Ken in goal,my only question as im sick today and long posts are the last thing I have the mind to be typing.....

He's a fantastic shot stopper,but I worry about his kickouts,cant remember the last time I saw him kick with any accuracy or distance for that matter.

Blue Magic wrote: »

When is the Waterford Crystal tournament due to start? Early February I'd have thought...

Sunday.

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

Hope you recover lad

I agree ,that is an aera he must improve,howerer he was made the scapegoat ast year for midfield problems when playing walsh out of there didnt help and quirke had the same problems against the dubs.

Cheers lad!

Hmmmm yeah,even in League games though when the midfield was set up he seems to get his strategy all wrong. And he favours a short kick out wayyyy too much,often at times putting his own defence in all sorts of bother. He just doesnt seem to know what to do when faced with a kickout. Great man under a dropping ball or to stop a rasper,but kickouts will play a big part this year especially if we still have midfield issues.
Hope he improves,and fast!

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/01/09/dual-players-cant-give-codes/

At last a great article with common sense prevailing.

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/01/09/dual-players-cant-give-codes/

At last a great article with common sense prevailing.

Whats your own opinion on the whole thing?

Mine would be let it up to each player to decide.

No man,woman or child should be stopped from taking part in any team sport if they so wish.
If a player feels that they themselves want to play both hurling and football,have something to contribute to a team,and can cope with the demands that playing for 2 seperate teams involves,then why stop them?

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

I done a post there a few pages back,i have said why ,more than explained it.


As that article said ,the guy that busts hes balls all year ,has to make way for a lad thats a bit part player,that is not good for morale either and both teams will suffer.

I'll admit I didnt see it or passed over it,I must go back and have a look for it.

I'll disagree with you though on teams suffering. If a player is good enough,you play him,simple as that,thats up to a manager who believes in the abilities of his chosen panel. If hes not good enough,you play the next best man in that position.

That would be my feeling.

Harty Cup (Munster Post-Primary Schools Senior A Hurling) Quarter-Finals

Dungarvan CBS v Hamilton HS Bandon: Wednesday January 15th at 1:30pm in Castlemartyr.

Charleville CBS v Scoil Na Trionoide Naofa, Doon: Wednesday January 15th at 1:30pm in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

Thurles CBS v St Francis College Rochestown: Wednesday January 15th at 1:30pm in Cahir.

Ard Scoil Ris v Our Lady's Templemore: Friday January 17th at 1:30pm in MacDonagh Park Nenagh.

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

The Canon Michael O Brien game with Cork hurlers V UCC,is fixed for Saturday the 25th of January,likely start 2pm n the Marydyke ,i would think.


I heard the Cork panel is to be named within the next ten days,where that is true or not,I am not totally sure on that.

Great. Thanks

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/01/09/dual-players-cant-give-codes/

At last a great article with common sense prevailing.

great article and the author sarah is top totty too!

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=207316
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.Chin tried ,fair play .and he could not do it.Whatever chance Walsh has,Eoin Cadogan at 27 won't be able to manage it,Alan Cadogan is already a Dual at U21 next year,and Cahalane will be doing extremely well to get back to he's best in Football next year ,after a serious,operation.
Paudie Sul won't make any of the league unfortunately.

corkrobinhood wrote: »

Yeah at least he tried though,Cadogan himself said he wanted to be able to look back in years to come when hes retired with no regrets,and he wants to try it so might aswell let him.

That does not make sense as,has he not tried ,in 2012 and failed?he's hurling was way off,for such a talented hurler lets call a spade,that year.
It is only he who wears the shoe knows exactly how it fits,so if you want use ,the lets try option,it doesnt apply ,as he has been there,done that ,and worn that shoe ,and it clearly does not fit with him.


He said he looked at the Keane Veira documentary ,a splendid viewing ,and said he got this "No Regrets"from Keane ,fair enough.
But Cadogan tried it .

Teddy Mac was the last man to and will be to ever win both bodes in 1990,Sean Og in 1999 was our best dual code player since,1999 getting and despite not being a natural full back against the odds played quite well against Meath,and was superb two weeks earlier against Kilkenny.

Those days are History.

I ,believe you must take the emotion ,and this fairytale view out of the decision ,you must be realistic.Of course I would love it to work ,but as Le Chin and Sarah O Donovan in her excellent piece ,are realistic to know,it won't happen.

Cadogan is a Keane fan like myself ,and I am not a massive soccer fan,I hope he takes Keanes mantra,Fail to prepare,Prepare to fail.
At the elite level to win an All Ireland ,even to compete you must be 100 hundred per cent prepared ,or you are playing catch up before you start.

As Lee Chin,clearly like many others showed,you can not commit to both codes and give 100 per cent commitment to both,and in Keanes mantra if your not fully prepared,then it is not going to work.

In the basis of the argument ,a guy plays the game,he should have the sole responsibilty to make that decision is also debatable.Yes ,players ,are the main guys,the bread and butter to an extent of the game,so there view must be taken soley in most cases,however some times as they are so involved in the game itself ,they are blinkered understandably by reality ,and some decisions must be taken by others ,as a player naturally and understandably wants to play.Every player wants to play.I would worry if the did not.

But just cause he "Wants to"is immaterial in this case.

Take a jockey as an example.The Great Tony Mccoy rides a horse at 2.o clock at Chelthnaham.He has an unfortunate fall,and is injured.He is riding the Favourite in the Gold cup.He is in pain but when asked,he brushes of the pain,I'm fine,the sheer determination and single mindness that is in he's DNA that makes him a winner means if he could ride,he would.He would not think twice.He would ride in the race if he could.

I think Davy Russell a big Gaa man,and you would often see he's father at Youghal matches,was injured ,at a big festival,i think it may have been Chelthnam,had a fall,went out the next day rode a race,but then had to step down for a big race,as he struggled with breathing in a race,and had to spend time in hospital.

The decision in these cases were taken out of there hands,as they have bravery ,and such hunger they want to ride.
Its not and rightfully there decision.Reality kicks in ,as safety is the priority.

The medical officer makes the call,hes is not emotion involved,purely makes a call on the facts presented before he's eyes.
Colm O Neill was kicking around in Mallow last Sunday great to see.I'm sure he "wants"to play as soon as possible".If you handed him the No 13 shirt ,Sunday and said play,understandably he probably would.

Thankfully that won't happen ,as that decision is out of he's hands,when he plays will be a medical one purely made on that alone ,and not the "want"of the player involved.

In Corks case the managers like Jim Gavin did,must and should have made the call.As there sole responsibilty is not individual wants,it is what is good and benfits the team and players.The fact both managers see it as plausible in Cork despite huge evidence against it is a worry.It is not making a decision for the player,it is up to the player what code he picks,but they are just saying with the commitment and preparation required in one code you must be fully devoted to that code.Cadogan is such a ferouicous competitor he will want to do both ,for Cork.He knows no other way .I geuinely admire that.But if it means he can only do best at one code,i would prefer that.

It is not and clearly shown to be the players 100 per cent choice,if it was ,Ciaran Kilkenny would be playing both ,hurling and football.Jim Gavin took that choice out of he's hands.

I have always adovocated Walsh is the best hope out of the other possibles for it to work.He is self-employed,year out of college,and he does not have any other commitments so he has a better recovery time,and also more he's own time to perfect he's touch.He has also being hurling consistently at Club level and performing well.
Also Cork do not have any other half forward ready made ahead of walsh.Bill Cooper who I would like to see on the Cork panel ,and he would have been last year but for injury ,is behind Walsh ,in Walsh can score regulary and more proflic.
Another County Champion,Aidan Ryan is a great grafter and ball winner but a converted Forward from half back and it shows.
The Cork U21 team showed up nothing bar possibly the Lawtons.Walsh in truth,and I have always said he would and will be a huge asset to Cork hurling,and it frees Cronin or Harnedy for Full,particulary Cronin who lacks real pace for the half forward line or midfield.

At underage,Walsh was always seen as a more natural hurler.Football ,was second best but he mastered that ,with two all stars.
All walsh needs to do is keep at the level of hurling he is at .He was a stand out in the intermediate final ,he done what you would expect an intercounty hurler do at that grade.


Cadogan is in Colledge and won't have the time with study as well.He had to miss tommorrows game over an exam,it is harder to juggle both codes.
He is coming of a much lower level of hurling to walsh.When was the last game he excelled at for Cork?against a top four or at Club for Douglas.
He was a fine hurler ,but he's touch in 2012 was poor.Yes a great point was made he brings phyiscality and aggression ,and he would not have allowed Clare waltz through ,the defence.
Both man and ball would not pass him at the same time.I agree with that.

However,if hes touch is like 2012,or not vastly improved,he would cough up scores against Clare and be ruthlessy exposed.
Clare are masters of the breaking ball and turning over position ,and you must have speed of hands,and a lightening ist touch.
You got to pick the ball 1st time,as you won't get a second chance.
Shane o neill who has a great ist touch fumbled a ball that lead to a goal,and Kearney who has a great touch,dropped a Nash short puckout,and Kelly put over a point.
Cadogan would be exposed by clare.And while he has the phyicsal aggression ,and dogness to mark Honan ,if Downes who has an excellent touch or kelly,Cadogan marks ,he's touch must be up to the level,as Kelly speed of hurling is just second to none.When Sean Og had the Car crash in 2001,he gave up football,as he knew he needed to give a total commitment to hurling to regain to the level he had ,as he had missed a lot of hurling,and needed to focus on getting the body a hundred per cent .Cahalane,the word is wanted by the hurlers.Cahalane needs to follow Sean Og's example.

I agree totally Joyce should get an extended run at six.Mcloughlin,Egan and jamie nagle are all better options for the two other slots.Jamie Nagle was the best club half back all year,and has the aggression and bite Cadogan has but has a fine touch also.He was an outstanding u21 in 2011.Mcdonell is an option at 5 and 7.


There is better options at half back.What is interesting,is people forget Cadogan had many a critic at full back ,bar he's man of the match debut in 2009.The argument and view people had,was he had too much hurling,and was too attack minded for a full back in 2010 .And yes ,Cork are in a lack of quailty full backs.Joe Barry,Donagagh Duane,John Grace ,Patrick O'Mahony have all been the full backs for there county winning teams or ,in Barrys case county finalists.They do not seem to be Inter County level Full backs in abundance in Cork.
Looking down the line Eddie Gunning, and Ian Cahill give us hope ,but that is a long way of yet,as these talents need time to develop.


However Cadogan has done nothing in hes time consistently to show he is the best option.Cork would be better off trying to find a natural full back,or find a player with similar attruibutes,and convert him to one.Jamie Nagle is worth a chance,Colm Spillane etc.

Cork will have to loose a few battles to win the war,at full back,in that there is no ready made replacement ,and they would be better served to give spillane time ,or Nagle.Throwing Cadogan in ,seems to me another short term soloution with a lot of risks.If he was hurling only ,he would have a chance maybee.
Last two years,Cork have went for stop gap full backs ,in O neill and Murphy ,Mcdonnell should have be given time after the 2012 league final but wasnt and such that he's confidence was never recovered it is unlikey ,and the way he plays the answer.JBM , has been robbed by injury of Darragh Rodgers and Colm spillane at various times ,snd he had no choice.However ,going back to Cadogan is not a benfit going forward.

However ,if they did go with a new option,the long term success ,could be worth it ,as we would have a full back.
The cork defence up to the final was immense,just one goal conceded ,with no full back was a credit to us.
Once we find one,our defence would be super,as we have super corner backs and many more waiting in the wings.
If Cadogan goes in at 3,and he is exposed what happens then.Where do we go?
back to a player who has been giving 100 per cent commitment ,cant get a game ,but now our dual player hasnt worked we try him.Hardly a vote of confidence for a guy coming in.

People will be fast enough to criticise Cadogan if he's hurling is not up to it ,yet they want him to do both.
Time will tell,but the odds are not in he's favour.

Game going ahead.Ul are missing a few,dessie mone is with monaghan ,and the offaly lads are out.
Weak enough side,up front.O donughue and o rourke in full forward line.Strongest line.

4-8 to 0-6 start second half

Butcher good ,goulding fine goal and I think it was donnach got the last touch for atgoal.

Ul are poor,shows they have a weak side.
John hayes has been extremely poor and unfortunatey my doubts on him are shown up again.Had a part to play in the third goal,but very poor.

He is off now and barry o driscoll is on.
He just got a good goal,and is showing for the ball.

Another game in Mallow ,a splendid ptich again.Mallow GAA had asked for the game to be delayed a half hour until the heavy rain abated,but as far as I am aware,Cork refused.
And rightfully so,the ptich was fine,no water retention,bar by the sideline,so just play the game.
Mallow are going a bit over the top,if they want to wrap the ptich in cotton wool .I remember going to Na piarsaigh v Newtown in the league and the match was called of last minute.The ptich was perfectly playable that saturday.
The good news was there was match programmes today .

I watched Ul warm up in the top ptich at the other side of the main one across the road,and even though it was a make shift team ,the intensity of the drills under Kearns and he doesnt do laid back was great to watch,its easy to see why he is a top coach.

I then had a look at our set up.I wasnt greatly impressed to be honest,our set up was asking the players to do certain things ,i got the sense than,actually demanding it.Very nicey,nicey ,clap of the stuff.I feared that,as none of the selectors have a real presnce in management.You do not ask at intercounty,you demand and expect.

This game was not as tough as I thought,but as I posted at the start of the game,Ul had a few missing with Dessie moyne,ian burke,Mcnamee,o Connor,neville ,o meare etc out.As I said in the preview ,it was on the basis of Ul fielding a strong side,anything less and it would be a less of a challenge.
At least with Kerry when they name the team,we know that will be the team midweek,and it will be the same team starting at sunday at 2pm.

In the game itself,Sexton and o Sullivan did seem to be vocal which was good to see.
Early yet,but I wasnt inspired by Don davis.Too laid back.Driving home,i heard him being interviewed,and I was not impressed.It was all talk of lets put the shoulder to the wheel,hope for the best and we will see what we can do.That talk is ,uninspiring ,and in common with what normally managers that are unsuccessful say ,hope for the best.Time will tell.

Ken was very good in goal,contary to the myth he has no distance in kickouts ,he showed today he has.I had said he was there to command the backline and he done that,constantly telling them to keep shape.
Mclouhlin good going forward and did not fare badly against o rourke ,but he was suspect at times,and people must remember o rourke is not at home in the corner,he lacks the wizardy of a corner forward.Much more home at half forward.

Clancy done okay ,wasnt tested by o shea,but was immense going forward ,had a goal chance well saved by the keeper,drove forward made one goal,and comfortable on the ball.A real possibilty with others at half back.Wont stay at full,too much football for there.
Noel galvin had the job of marking ,o donoughue,and while he did take time to settle,jesus he did brillant.He was tight,fast ,tenacious and tough.Compare hes display to mcloughin ,and who they marked,it like comparing apples and organes.
Galvin is a leading contender for no4.Superb.

Loughrey very good,held whyte well.
Gould was brillant,balanced attack and defense very well,and got a super point late on,to show the confidence he has playing anywhere bar a forward.

Kevin o driscoll,done good ,but probably a few ahead of him for half back.
Laoire was superb,great work rate,kickpassing,super link play,moves the ball at pace,real football intelligence,and got two great points and a goal,but donnachas ball would have went in anyway.
Butcher,i am a critic of him,but today superb,work rate,won ball,drove forward at times.Deserves a chance against kerry but I do feel,walsh and leary or deane are the more complete package.
Colm o driscoll ,got a nice goal,but did not stand out ,and better options ahead of him,attacking wise.
Sugrue,a great grafter,lovely skill,feet like a ballerina ,is a player for the future.Had a great battle with t6 clancy who was by far and away ul best player at 6,orchestrating attack and defence well,full of poise and delivered some great long range passes.Massive talent.
Kerrigan good and bad.Again super pace,but Must play for a full game.
Goulding two great goalrworked hard,always showed for the ball.
Doc was superb,two games in a row.A real leader,constanly roaring at lads to watch and mark up at kickouts.Any time a cork half back had ,he started he-s run always showing and demanding the ball.
Cork are now playing faster ball in,he is thriving.He reminds of me ,of a big fish in a small tank,in that he was in danger of suffocation,under Counihan,in that slow laboured lateral football,meant he had no space as a forward ,with loads of defenders on him.

Now Cork show a real intent to move the ball at pace ,and he is now big fish in a large ocean in has more space,gliding around and making big waves.He really has the appetite and hunger,not past it by any means,and tormented kerry u21and highely rated ,martin tierney ,that he had to be subbed.

John hayes.Well,certainly not the best til last.Even he's fan club must admit he was woeful today.
He did not even score I think,dropped ball,gave woeful kick passes and as I am sick to the teeth of saying,he goes missing in big games and wont show for or work and make runs of the ball,and today was just ul.Today he played himself of the cork panel ,but cuthbhert will stick pick him.
Hayes playing in hes natural position,a man of he's age and expierence had no excuses today.

Last week the paper,the same paper  that said cussen was the answer for cork ,said  hayes was super against LIT.I mean it was pure pure ,in awe of hayes ,and how he got 1-4 against piss poor defending ,and how he was in similar standard to james o donughe,and hayes would have an indian summer.

Ffs,in all honesty ,LIT,were awful and the goal was a penalty.O donughe is an all star,hayes being compared to him is an insult to the kerry man.At a young age he has an all star,hayes never has or will come within an asses roar of one at 27.
Yes he is a fine club player,in club games,sun on the back ,in he's home comforts but he lacks the edge and mentality for the big stage.He is a gentleman,and a nice lad by all accounts.
My judgement is him purely as an intercounty forward.And he is not up to it.The west cork media,will blow him up.At the end of the day,it is not where you come from,just are you good enough for intercounty.He is not.Mark collins done very well as a sub,John O rourke,paddy kelly if fit,goulding,Donnacha,Hurley,Kerrigan,Vaughan(very good for CIT I hear)sugrue,mac eoin ,etc are all much better options.


Kevin crowley oozed class,when he came on,got a great point and sprayed the ball well .Hes cameo,you just know he is destined for greatness.Barry O driscoll got a good goal,cant read much in to it as the oppoisiton was poor,bv at the same time he showed for the ball ,and done more in he's cameo than Hayes who had way longer in the game.

The positve today was cuthbhert has credit due,matched hes talk ,and cork have showed a real desire,intent to move the ball at every opportunity at pace and direct.Cork hand pass not just to create an overlap.we in two games have kicked more fast ball than we did in the last two years and while there is lots of work to do ,and execution and accusracy must be improved in time,credit Cuthbhert ,the intent and desire to play fast open ball is there,and that is a welcome start.

The worry ,and time will tell and by the team picked to play a stronger kerry team in Mallow at 2 next sunday ,will reveal ,is have the management learned from the 1st two games,clearly some playes are not at this level.
He has seen them in two games,it gives you an idea.
The ul team were poor and no test really,better than LIT though.
The games from here on,Kerry ,then the league will reveal a lot about the management in have we a plan A and B, and are the right players being picked.
The honeymoon period with LIT,and Ul ,is over,from now on every game gets harder.
Credit cuthbhert for playing fast open football,and giving leary,crowley,sugrue,galvin game time but still questions marks remain over others.
Roll on next Sunday,a dry day please god,so both teams can play fast,open attack minded football.and we can learn more about our defence,and how our attack is against a good team.

Ten euro in to that match in Mallow was beyond cheek. Thought it would be a fiver max.considering its mcgrath cup. Cant afford next sunday as a result now.

corkrobinhood wrote: »

Thinkstoomuch1.....I must sit beside you in Mallow next Sunday because you see games I never see,and players I must not be watching

I'll give a report on the match later when i've more time,on what I saw for 70mins

Ah stop you think john hayes was good?raise any point you want ,and I will answer o_O
What you see is your own buisness ,with the greatest respect ,it wont keep me awake at night.:|

John hayes,i know you are a fan,lets call a spade a spade,he didnt even score a point.

Your standard of good and mine with respect are completly different ,so thanks for the offer:-o,but I will decline sitting beside you,i would have to spend too much time ,telling you what you need to kno:|i couldnt focus on the match:-o
I prefer to give a match total focus.

Punctuation is key for these forums to work. Just a note.

Great development if it's true that Pa O'Callaghan & Michael Cahalane are on the panel. Two excellent young hurlers. I have, in particular, seen a lot of Cahalane in last two years. He reads games very well, has great skills and is a decent athlete too!