Cork GAA Discussion Thread

Cork v Galway next saturday at 5 in the football.

I had said during the week I didnt rate Armagh at all,but i did think they would beat a young galway team.

Armagh ,as I said are a poor poor team.

Galway will actually be a tougher test,the style of play,fluent attack minded,but comfortable on the ball ,and have beaten Cork at U21 the last,3 years wont fear Cork.

Down the years,Cork and Galway games have been close and Galway will be suited to Croke park,and have some fine players.

Galways midfield was superb today.
By all accounts,O Neill and AOC are set to start their for Cork.They will lack pace,and be exposed badly here,unless Walsh starts here.

Walsh is set to start at CF.Another shambolic,move by Counihan.Based on a 20 minute cameo against a tired Kerry team.

Walsh has many strengths,but lacks the guile ,grace,natural footballing ability,creativity,and finishing skills compared to Kelly,Collins or Sheehan.
Sheehan is set to start at Full forward.


What is the point ,if we have a half forward line and midfield,that are incapable of delivering fast ball in to them,that can only play a direct running and hand passing game ,that will allow Galway turn them over,and counter attack at pace.


If Counihan goes with the old brigade,this young Galway team,with pace all over the field could very will beat us,as they have momentum and confidence now.

premierstone wrote: »

In fairness he didn't actually blame Newtown or Bernie o'Connor, he said there had been a tendancy within Cork Club Hurling and county set ups to try and replicate that game type when it was a style that was specifically designed for and successfull because of the particular individuals who mastered it, I think he has a very valid point to be fair.

I do agree with you on the blame game that is going on alright but even this is at least progress, upto a year or two ago the powers that be in Cork and alot of the less clued in supporters had there heads buried in the sand and convinced there was nothing amiss and it was just a cyclical thing, as they say admitting the problem is the first step. And people spouting rubbish about hurlers coming like mushrooms in Cork are not helping anyone.

If a strong traditional county like Cork starts to rest on its laurels and assume everything will be ok, it won't be long before they become a minnow, take Tipp as yer perfect example for those who don't think it can happen, 1972-1987 happened for a reason and it wasn't untill the problem was recognised and addressed that we became a respectable county again.

I agree about Cork becoming a minnow.In fact,such is the overall state of Cork hurling,their is a strong argument to say we are a minnow already.
I would dissagree about Newtownshandrum.

I felt,he was in a round about way,laying the blame at their doorstep.Their is ,as many Cork fans will tell you,a misconception that Newtownshandrum are to blame for the ills of Cork Hurling,by the some people in Cork ,and look down their noses at them.
For such a small parish,you blink an eye,your gone through it ,before you know it,they and Bernie O Connor for what they achieved ,are a credit and inspiration to Cork hurling.

To come from winning an intermediate title in 98,to win 3 Senior County titles,and the last Cork club to win an all ireland is nothing short of amazing.

When you,consider the small pick of players they have and within a 5 mile radius of other hurling clubs like Dromina,Milford,and Ballyhea, and even Chareville,to the likes of how the Glen or the Barrs, who have not won a county in over 20 years and Blackrock in ten years,but have a much larger pick of players,it really shows that Newtown deserve immense credit for their success.


The very fact the player did not mention Sarsfields by name,as there much loved by the powers to be,as a club carrying on the running game shows how one sided he was.

Sarsfields,it could be very well argued have the players to play a direct game,unlike newtown who and righty so ,had to play the game to their strengths.

Newtown may have introduced this style,but others,carried it on.But no mention of Sarsfields by name, who have won 3 county titles,playing that game.

For the record,I am not a Newtown man and don't have anything against Sars,but it is some people look at Sars,with rose tinted glasses,but are quick to blame or hint at Newtown for everything wrong with Cork hurling.He made one good point,the CCB,are more worried about the new stadium,and unless Cork start becoming successful,they will struggle to fill it.

Our nearest thing to "Glory days" and a packed stadium could only be if "Bruce" comes back to Cork again and sings that song.

What is very interesting,is Mr X ,shall we say,refused to give he's name.How can anybody be taken seriously,if they don't have the courage to say who they are and back it up.

Like a cheque,it's value is useless unless you can put a name to it.

I don't agree ,the running game is to blame for Corks demise.It just easy to blame this,then look at the real faults.

Cork quite simply owe that style,a lot of credit,as we won two all irelands with it.
We did not have the Tim Crowleys,Kevin Hennesseys,JBMS etc to play a direct style.

We had far more than athletes to.What we had was skilful,talented,wristy hurlers,who need the ball played to them ,but were complimented by the likes of Cocoran,and Timmy mac,up front who could compete under the high ball.

The current team if anything espiceally against KK,do not have the forwards to play direct against them.

As Tippereary proved you do not play direct against their half back line,but like waterford showed,a short passing game is your only hope.

Of course like 2006,proved you got to have a plan B too,and mix it up a bit.
But based on the type of players Cork produce,the direct and old school way we won all irelands with,wont win us all irelands again.


It's a shame Mr X ,did not say that if cork want to play a direct game,then more money needs to be put in to development squads,and the strength and conditioning side of things.

He made ref that the short passing,was a problem wed night.

As correctly pointed out by a poster on the U21 thread,that style actually helped us,brought us back in to the game,and saved us from the mother of mother of all hidings.Yes,a few mistakes were made ,but how many scores ,as proven by a superb goal were created by this.

He failed to acknowlege this,and the fact that what destroyed Cork,was the direct style of bombing ball after ball ,down on the dominant Tipp half back line.

He failed to mention the tactical ineptness,and the inability to make crucial decisions in the course of the game.

It was like the short passing game in Cork had ruined the players,and no manager at intercounty could be faulted .

To my view,it was just spin doctoring .

ShamoBuc wrote: »

If we get over Galway, Mayo would be the preferred option - beyond any doubt whatsoever.

Monaghan ?

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Slightly prefer Donegal?? I hope that was a typo! I'd much prefer Mayo - playing a poor London side in a final, you can always catch a team on the hop after playing a game where they don't have to be at their best.

To be honest, it doesn't matter really, I don't see us beating Galway - and I don't see the hurlers beating Kilkenny. Expected bad tactics from Counihan, surprised by the poor tactics of JBM. Galway have a pretty decent record v Cork at under 21 level recently as well.

NO rebel girl,as strange as it sounds,Donegal ,id prefer out of the Dubs,or Mayo.

As proven by the game today,they are a tired team,lacking the same spark and drive as last year.They were lucky to beat Down.

Their is a hangover from last year,and are a one trick pony,in that they have had not added anything new to their game.Karl lacey,is clearly struggling with fitness and a huge loss to them.

Now ,i dont mean Cork will beat them,as Couinhan is a dissaster,but in the context of Dublin,or Mayo,id rather them,as Dublin under Gavin,would beat us out the gate,and a fresh mayo team ,could do the same.

I did think Donegal would beat Monaghan,but you could you see they were not a patch on last years team.

Mayo ,people ,in my view regard them as a soft touch ,based on their history with Cork.

I don't and believe the easy run they had,and their injuries healing have the freshness,hunger,footballers and in Horan,a shrewd tactian to beat Cork and beat us well.This is not the soft,weak,self -destruct mayo of by gone days.Kieran shannon has also done great work with them.


Since 2011,they have steadily improved where we have gone back.The 2011 win against us,and the league win in Cork,now has instilled the belief,and they know how to beat Cork.

As it turned out,we wont have Donegal now.
Monaghan are a good side,but very beatable in contrast to Dublin,or Mayo.

I wouldnt fear them.Again though with Counihan,you begin to fear everyone.

I agree Galway could beat us.Galway are the type of side we would struggle with.
A fast counter attacking game,a good young midfield,and natural intelligent forwards,with real real pace.

And they have a good young manager,and won't fear us at all.

In relation to KK,to have any chance depends on the Kk team,which team turns up.If Kk of old turn up were goosed.

My concern is the media are highlighting the Goal drought in KK at present.Cody is sure to focus in on that and target primarily our full back line,and from the start go for the juglar,and go for goals.

My only hope is Nash in goals,but at the end of the day,there is only so long you can keep them out.


Bob ryan gave an interview yesterday on the radio.Nothing new.In regards the U21 horror show,he said,he was at a loss to explain it,but Cork are working as hard as everyone else,and these things some times happen,but they will keep trying.

Great answer Bob.

With answers like that Cork hurling has no reason to worry.

Amprodude wrote: »

U21 is a different level to Senior though. Expect Cork to win this one. Galway were shocking against Mayo in Connacht. They beat Arnagh at home. Neutral venue and we should win by 2-3 even with CC tactics.

Result very much depends on the team he picks.

A good piece of information from the paper regarding Loughrey

" But it is James Loughrey who will have the most important appointment of all if, as anticipated, he picks up Colm Cooper. I have been curious about Loughrey since he first came to prominence four years for Antrim. His clubmate, Joe Brolly, informed us back then that Loughrey held the record for six of the nine standardised specialised tests at SINI (Sports Institute of Northern Ireland) as part of their elite athletes’ scheme. These tests included impact strength, turning speed, vertical jump, endurance running (bleep test) and acceleration. His performances, we were told, were simply astonishing, and it came as no surprise later that year in Tullamore to see Loughrey cause endless concern from wing-back for the Kerry defence. If he were detailed to pick up Cooper tomorrow, will he be expected to curb his natural instincts or, if given guaranteed protection from the likes of Canty and Walsh, will he have licence to present the new Kerry centre-forward with the first genuine dilemma of his fledgling career on the 40? Does he stay or does he go?

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Mchugh is a huge player to them. He is the man that gets through more work than anyone else - he epitomizes Donegal's style. I do not think they would have won if he stayed on though, Monaghan were full value for their win

A superb player

Cork should definitely beat Galway. Despite the result against Armagh, Galway are very very poor. Armagh kicked some really awful wides in the Galway game that I just cant see Cork kicking. If Galway are to have any chance against ye, they really need to raise their game a lot.

However, the current Galway team are very different to the one who lost against Mayo. They have had 3 qualifier games since then and there have been many [good] changes to Galways starting team in the meantime.

D'Agger wrote: »

He's a huge boost to Mallow this year already, scored 1-3 in their first round of championship from midfield and was all over the park linking play from what I heard.

They made the semi final of the county last year - could be the missing piece of the puzzle for them.

Yeah he was superb against Nemo Rangers.I agree,Mallow could go far.

They have some fine players,ex Cork player Cian O Riordain,not Ic standard but at the same time,a fine club player.They have also Cork minor Ryan Harkin and dual player Killan O Connor,with good expierenced players like,Clive Kerrisk,Kevin Mccarthy,and Eoin Stanton etc.


Its not the first time Mallow have got a top class intercounty player .In the hurling,they had the great two time all ireland medal winner ,Michael O Halloran for a few years as he was working in mallow.

They got to the intermediate final in 99 only to be beaten by a Joe Deane and Mark Landers,inspired Killeagh.

Horse84 wrote: »

+1 to that. I just don't see this team digging out a championship win against kk.
Confidence is massive and some of these guys look short of it. The Munster final defeat wasn't good but especially the u-21 portion of the panel, that mauling against tipp will still be there.
Ill still be there supporting and shouting all the way but people have to be realistic there's nothing to suggest physically we can live with kk.

id agree,but at least we have Ger C,Kingston ,and Cunnigham compared to the U21 team and its 'three wise men'

By all accounts,and i hope i am wrong but pat kenneally will be in charge of the minor team and Ger fitz in charge again with the u21 team next year .

Horse84 wrote: »

For **** sake!

All the hope with the new adminstator etc,I said it here in May,nothing would change.

He would either be cut from the same cloth,or woudn't have the power to make any great changes.

The new minor football manager,shows that.By all accounts,a life time dedicated to GAA,He is around 60,and credit due for that,but no great record at intercounty level,or recent success as far as im aware.

And wait for it...the U21 football manager is yet to be announced.

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Not sure about the onslaught theory. I thought that would come in the replay against Dublin, it didn't. Then against Tipp, no. Against Waterford, no.

I'm expecting a close game if we nick a goal or two you never know.

The best thing is for every one to right Cork off,and create a backs to the wall scenario.
We also need Kk,not to hit top form.
Fennelly and shefflin are still not match fit.
The news on Shane O Neill is a big worry though.

corcaigh07 wrote: »

We should beat Galway lads, yes Killarney was a disaster but hopefully this is the game where the team properly starts to take shape. Even CC and his selectors are bound to have learnt something from Killarney.

Have faith, if we can't, who can?

Learnt is the key word their.Thats the problem,CC fails repeatedly time after time and makes the same mistakes again and again.

On what basis,do or should Cork have faith in Couinhan ?Their dying a slow painful death under him.And make no mistake,he wont be sacked,and is far too argorant to resign.

No Cork manager ever,i think has been sacked mid term.CC will be their till 2014.

The mistakes he made ,against Kerry in 2011 were shambolic.I was a fool to believe he learnt from them,and the new management team had an input in this team,and tipped Cork to win.

Never again,will i put my faith in him.Course i want Cork to win,but,at least when you expect the worst,and they win its a bonus.

And when they loose,at least,it was not unexpected.I hope Galway turn up,and test Cork.The last thing you want Galway to believe their beaten before they take the field,and Cork to win handily.
It is just a false dawn and if Cork meet Mayo or Dublin next could then be beaten easily.

Galway have no reason to fear Cork.

I can't wait to see the team.He will probably put Kissane on Armstrong,and armstrong who has not been on form,will think xmas came early.

Kissane will be like a dog chasing he's own tail if he is marking him.Corks slowest defender on the turn,against one of Galway's fastest.

Canyon86 wrote: »

Hurling

The last time cork were written off for a slaughtering against clare, look what happened, cork gave a solid performance,

I belive that the build up will suit cork really as there is less pressure than that facing Killkenny,

The cats are after four tough tough games so they ll be battle rady but at the same time tired!

lets seeeeeee

Clare and KK are world's apart.While Cork played very well,Clare over simplified their game ,and at this level are still learning.

This is a KK team,that do the basic,simple things,over and over,and what they don't know about the game,is not worth learning.They are truly the greatest ever.

They have mastered the basic skills,and while they can be magnificent at times,its the way ,they in the last two games just keep it simple,have got them the wins.

Against Cork ,they know our full back is weak.Unlike Limerick,KK and Cody won't be as conservative,and right from the start will attack Mcdonnell.

They do the simple things well.They play to their strengths and attack the weakness of others.

I agree they look a tired team,even though the two week gap,gave them a bit of breathing space.I'm praying it is thirty degrees in Thurles Sunday,and not a cloud in sight or a puff of wind.I hope it so hot,the lungs are burning on the players,walking from the dressing rooms.

If it rains,we are truly f****d.

We have not a hope in hell ,physically competing with them.Our only hope is to play at pace,off the cuff,and run the legs off them.

The hope i have,is like all great champions coming to the end of their days,they never bow out on anyone else's terms but their own.When their expected to loose,they don't.
When they are expected to win ,that is the time they could loose.A bit like Meath in 91,where all the games eventually took their toll.


Many people,including myself expected Tipp to win,many felt Waterford had their best ever chance,but they were all beaten.

No one gives Cork a chance.Its a slim hope,but im hoping this is the day they loose.

This will have to be Corks all ireland final to beat them.
As unlikey as it to happen,i would have more hope in the hurlers beating KK than I would have the footballers winning another all ireland under Couninhan.