Cork GAA Discussion Thread

sean mac

Like you TTM I am also sceptical still, like most cork football people in fairness. Sunday is a real test as gavin and Dublin will be going for this big time. Imo however the recall of alan oconnor is an excellent sign - acknowledgement by management they have a problem, and acknowledgement by an experienced player that the set up is at a good standard. From what I heard the good news is flanagans role has grown, as we hoped it would. Looking at that panel its clear we need alan oconnor, hopefully Maguire & deane will be fit and ready for championship.
Looking at the defence imo we actually have 2 better corner backs in Cronin & galvin then the 2 men starting, in addition I would have went with odonoghue at centre back rather the switch things around to bring in an inconsistent Jamie o Sullivan. A good tough stopper like odonoghue with 2 pacey wing backs in Clancy & dorman would make dublins excellent half forward line think harder. The 2 odriscolls are favourites but only colm will start come championship, management see kevin as a kick out winner for what its worth.
If Dublin push up on ohallorhans kickouts, don't allow cork go short sunday will be a real test, imo while his kickouts were good vs Donegal I think he is suspect in this area and unfortunately he has no real distance when he has to go long.
No midfield subs, some good defenders and a bunch of forwards of varying ability shows the limits of the panel without the 4 lads injured, each of whom could be a starter come championship.
If we perform or even win sunday we can believe again, if we suffer a big loss it will be a shattering defeat and all the old doubts come back.

Gary Neville

Good posts, TTM, CorkDouble and Sean Mac.

I heard Cronin was excellent in the Munster U21 Final and he is well suited for the like of McManemin. There is a strong argument for playing Cronin and Galvin in the corners but after the devastating effect of last years semi I can understand why Cuthbert is reluctant to change.

My championship 15 would be - O Shea, Cronin, Shields, Loughrey, BOD, Cadogan, Dorman, Maguire, Goold, COD, Kelly, O Rourke, CON, Collins, Hurley.
However, I could see Galvin and Tomas Clancy start too. We are going to have quality forwards to come in - Kerrigan, Goulding and Donncha and with AOC and maybe Deane, it looks like we'll have a strong and balanced squad.

What 15 would you guys start ?

wackokid

I'm amazed that John Hayes isn't starting, but I suppose Cubby and Co. realise that his impact when introduced late is a game changer. Himself and the two O Driscoll brothers have more football acumen in their small toes than most. The modern game requires players that don't make silly mistakes and give the ball away.
Loughrey I don't rate. Cannot tackle, positioning is very poor and hard to understand how he walked on to this Cork team and plays every game.
We have to have Cadogan in MF now and in any case he gave away far too many tap over frees when he was in the backs. He has done well at MF and his foot passing is top notch. The inside forwards will attest to that.
Those on here who turn up their noses at Colm O Driscoll's ability should watch how he quitens Jack McCaffrey next Sunday. There's more to half forward play these days than kicking an odd flashy point.
Hope this opinion isn't too long.

Deco99

wackokid wrote: »

I'm amazed that John Hayes isn't starting, but I suppose Cubby and Co. realise that his impact when introduced late is a game changer. Himself and the two O Driscoll brothers have more football acumen in their small toes than most. The modern game requires players that don't make silly mistakes and give the ball away.
Loughrey I don't rate. Cannot tackle, positioning is very poor and hard to understand how he walked on to this Cork team and plays every game.
We have to have Cadogan in MF now and in any case he gave away far too many tap over frees when he was in the backs. He has done well at MF and his foot passing is top notch. The inside forwards will attest to that.
Those on here who turn up their noses at Colm O Driscoll's ability should watch how he quitens Jack McCaffrey next Sunday. There's more to half forward play these days than kicking an odd flashy point.
Hope this opinion isn't too long.

My Opinion is that you're opinion was too long

thinkstoomuch1

Gary Neville wrote: »

Good posts, TTM, CorkDouble and Sean Mac.

I heard Cronin was excellent in the Munster U21 Final and he is well suited for the like of McManemin. There is a strong argument for playing Cronin and Galvin in the corners but after the devastating effect of last years semi I can understand why Cuthbert is reluctant to change.

My championship 15 would be - O Shea, Cronin, Shields, Loughrey, BOD, Cadogan, Dorman, Maguire, Goold, COD, Kelly, O Rourke, CON, Collins, Hurley.
However, I could see Galvin and Tomas Clancy start too. We are going to have quality forwards to come in - Kerrigan, Goulding and Donncha and with AOC and maybe Deane, it looks like we'll have a strong and balanced squad.

What 15 would you guys start ?

How can we understand after last year he's reluctant to change this when cork were destroyed all over the field and no game plan has nothing to do with corner backs imo not starting Sunday

That team you picked is not imo one I'd be confident with
You put keeper who's been out of the game for how long exactly, was great but is not great shot stopper now as seen shown recently when beaten at least three goals very easy to few weeks ago in club game
What has he done merit a recall exactly

the problem imo by putting cronin who's fine player in unit with goalie past of the mark and half back playing corner, that's a real real way destroy outstanding young player confidence imo

Your half back line is too attack minded even in a blanket
All three like to attack whose minding the house
Cadogan takes too much ball in to contact attack too far as shown v donegal
Driscoll brilliant player but attack minded as it's dorman who attack minded
You have no balance imo here

Gould midfield and maguire
Maguire has a serious serious back problems and could be out for a while even though meant be ready barrs next week depends how he gets on
I wouldn't have gould

Colm o driscoll imo I don't rate as cork best option in there better at senior fine club player no doubt
Kelly fine
O rourke fine
Full forward line fine with Collins dropping back

My team

Halloran
Shields
Cadogan
Galvin if any these injured cronin ist sub
Loughrey
Clancy o dounoughe but as a buffer never goes forward stays stops runners from deep
Dorman terrific player but either him or clancy one not both

Maguire if fit and dinnen if not leary or kiely
Brian o driscoll
Collins
O rourke
Hurley
Colm
Doc

System now would be a blanket and actually would work unlike present one like a blanket
For a start I'd have coach proven successful how implement it as part set up
Collins drops quatre back role American football style
Brian driscoll and o rourke are two trackers work horses but unlike two Sunday can actually do this but score and create long distance and rather than hand pass back and forth vary line angle attack with precision kick passing
Donnacha picked at fifteen but plays eleven in holds ball when needed drifts to space from deep and can score long distance but also know when slow or up tempo game
Kelly if fit would have no problem doing that role but these two sit centre no need track back
Key this team is pick players best position and huge space for colm and hurley inside
My team would at least break even at midfield

wackokid

Deco99 wrote: »

My Opinion is that you're opinion was too long

AND.you are wrong........again.......:)

thinkstoomuch1

wackokid wrote: »

I'm amazed that John Hayes isn't starting, but I suppose Cubby and Co. realise that his impact when introduced late is a game changer. Himself and the two O Driscoll brothers have more football acumen in their small toes than most. The modern game requires players that don't make silly mistakes and give the ball away.
Loughrey I don't rate. Cannot tackle, positioning is very poor and hard to understand how he walked on to this Cork team and plays every game.
We have to have Cadogan in MF now and in any case he gave away far too many tap over frees when he was in the backs. He has done well at MF and his foot passing is top notch. The inside forwards will attest to that.
Those on here who turn up their noses at Colm O Driscoll's ability should watch how he quitens Jack McCaffrey next Sunday. There's more to half forward play these days than kicking an odd flashy point.
Hope this opinion isn't too long.

Not long enough imo
Greater the length more details you can have

CORKDOUBLE

For there development why are Sean White, Dan McEoin, Cathal Vaughan , Sean Kiely not on the extended panel Kevin Crowley is injured..l....last year they always named an extended panel ...but this year it seems the 26 or so match day players ....and I also would bring Peter Kelleher along he is raw but great potential in the Alan O Connor mould ...Vaughan looked fit for the u21s there were flashes of his undoubted talent if he stays fit the guy has two feet real talent ....how come and I will say it again we cant seem to bring on all those talented u21s ?

thinkstoomuch1

1 Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)

2 Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams)
3 Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes
4 Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)

5 James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams)
6 Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes)
7 Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf)

8 Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge Street)
9 Brian Fenton (Raheny)
10 Paul Flynn (Fingallians)
11 Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock)
12 Diarmuid Connolly (St Vincents)

13 Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)
14 Kevin McManamon (St Judes)
15 Bernard Brogan (Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruaidh

zetecescort

Strong team from Dublin, missing only McAuley and Brennan from their championship team.

thinkstoomuch1

zetecescort wrote: »

Strong team from Dublin, missing only McAuley and Brennan from their championship team.

Serious serious test for cork now

zetecescort

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

Serious serious test for cork now

Absolutely, Dublin will probably over run Leinster again so this could be their last game against a decent team until August.

thinkstoomuch1

zetecescort wrote: »

Absolutely, Dublin will probably over run Leinster again so this could be their last game against a decent team until August.

One weak aera of Dublin is centre back and midfield isn't that strong in to what it could be with out mcauley
Fenton is fine prospects but you surely if cadogan and gould are going play championship here would have break even in Fenton terrific prospects and cork will face better with kerry who have better midfield in depth but cadogan and gould more experienced than Fenton
It'd test for cork but midfield for Dublin cork could be lucky not strong as could be
If cork get ball to colm and Brian and don't conceded much can win but there very big asks based on evidence before the eyes so far imo

thinkstoomuch1

Cody lost the all Ireland final in 99 to cork and then to Galway all Ireland Semi final in 2001 and back then he had doubters as he had no record at club level successfully

Cody was soft sentiment in mind in he give lads a chance on old reputations were cast in stone, unreal loyalty to players
What made him convert from a good average manager who won one all Ireland to the greatest ever, whether you like him or not is completely irrelevant in a view in you have to admire he's greatest skills and he's the ultimate winner is he's attuide changed after Galway 2001 when it was good for cork Galway won but it actually changed hurling forever in a new new steely cut throat manager was born that has one goal, winning.

He forget this sentiment of emotions and a case of go with the old dog for the hard road, he actually judged on performance and in training and one of the great skillset he has is the ability to judge a great player in decline but also have the balls of steel to go against the popular grain of thought that dropping a carter or even recently tommy Walsh might get critsed he's view is time waits for no man no one's own the KK jersey in your passing through, you get your time, but next in then in time comes in and the production line of great players goes on and on , and unlike other teams like cork football team after the all Ireland, Ireland rugby grand slam team years ago where both cork men lacked either the ability to see once great players in decline or have the ruthless edge to drop them and rebuild cody doesn't do the same

In the Galway game in the 2001 he played comerford, Carey, Barry, McCoy and john power despite all having injuries and they missed training and other players in better form should have started, but didn't and KK lost but cody as Carey said in Denis Walsh hurling revolution years book page 244 to page 250, cody blamed himself for that defeat totally and the conditions that allowed it and he's mind he felt was soft but he vowed never ever again would that happens
Cody even made mistakes were all only human
What worries fans imo is the same mistakes being repeated again and again
Just look at cork football
I have a fear a new ruthless manager like cork has been born in football in Jim gavin and he's honesty admit he was wrong last year in the donegal defeat imo is similar to the moment cody changed

When cork people want to see what made cody who he is, id recommend read that book and those six pages, that's all you got to read and it's mind blowing in the ruthless edge great manager must have and that's what cork lacked under Counihan who was good but could been great but ruthless edge that he had to clear out old gang like masters and build new team unfortunately he suffered the fate many suffer, in build team to end a famine and then let emotions cloud their logic in we cant drop them despite they decline in standard

Jbm had a ruthless edge dropping the awesome Barry Egan and others in 99 and build a new team with no baggage of young talents to win the all Ireland
He's ruthless when he wants to be
However the problem with jbm now imo is he is ruthless with the wrong perception of though regards some players who are getting way too much game time and others who are not getting chances
When carter walked from KK with mcceovy , Johnny Walsh said they felt it was carter choice and players were beliveing should played and said as much but should kept their mouth shut and head down and would played but they didn't

In conor sullivan case it could be said the same but imo not so as o sullivan is even down pecking order of fourth choice over kearney who no where near he's level

Cody in 2002 was ruthless, he dropped proven all Ireland winners like pat o Neill and eammon Kennedy two starters from the whole panel and two all stars in Larkin and carter from the team and KK won the all Ireland
Ruthless execution all cause cody learned from he's mistakes
Cody doesn't just reinvent KK teams people forget he keep reinventing himself as a manager
And he does this as he's honesty within to call it as it is and is yes a harsh task master but shows imo true love for KK as he knows KK deserves to be nothing less than the best they can be



Look at cork, yes this year it's got better but still lacking in ruthless execution cody style.
I don't mean any disrespecting to cian Mccarthy I purely judge as a player and as conor lehane said this is senior hurling no time for emotions, but cian Mccarthy I'm glad is not on the cork panel
I'm sorry now but he had he's five years and couldn't do it
Worry was cian left, jbm and co would kept him if he didn't go
Not good imo

If lawton and moylan and Mccarthy and kearney don't perform tommorrow imo or two weeks got to be dropped.
If not it imo means this as cody said soft minded approach is still evident and unlike cody no ruthless cull of players in cork.

Now KK yes had talent coming through but imo cork have also as take john cronin who could be like peter Barry was to KK in a great great KK player,in as johnny Walsh said in those pages Barry was not the greatest hurler ever but he's attuide stood out and when he played bad head never dropped and kept going and was the rock for KK and also lyng no under age pedigree but he's attuide stood out on the field

John cronin style shooting is erratic at times but I can honestly say seeing him lots times he's attuide want desire and hunger is actually equal to harnedy for cork and he never leaves the field with out giving he all and when plays bad head want drop and he could be outplayed for fifty minutes but you want a man they need is greatest cronin is your player
It's not he's bad hurler it's from lisgoold a junior club bar with cit not playing regular top hurling down the line that he's hurling is not crisp and fast as others but in a defined role as ball winner a forager a work horses he would be ideal in he's strong running creates so much space and he actually can score it's just wins so much ball and takes on too much shooting he could have three points but only forty per cent conversion rate as he might win over ten balls
He's crying absolutely imo crying out for senior county coaching in this lad could be ideal for corkand on subs bench tonight, least give him a half not just twenty minutes

When carter was dropped there was calls to KK radio saying cody should go but they never wilted
Management had the inner resolve to stick with it
Now I can understand KK fans in a way as carter was brilliant
Just look at the cork attuide though, cian mcarthy leaves and then we have article local media saying Mccarthy never got enough chances and was often brought on too late
Imo nonsense as unlike KK fans who had some claim as carter was an all star Mccarthy never consistent performed for cork when he got a run and he couldn't start as he couldn't last championship games
There's an awful soft minded approach still imo cork gaa
We should leave that to other counties but cork deserve better

I know at times my posts seems harsh border line negative but truly I want nothing but the best for cork gaa and from studying great manager all sports it is clear as day no soft minded approach can exist but you must be ruthless and reading pages 245 to 250 that Denis Walsh book you can see KK thinking and I want cork like that as lehane even said so recently when I'm deemed ruthless in judging the Hayes this world etc it's simply what would Fitzmauirce or cody do with these players I ask myself

People said here before don't worry bout KK, worry bout ourselves
I don't buy that, cork have to aspire to KK and kerry standards as they are the greatest let's call a spade a spade.

An extract from that book page 249
[
I suppose there are players who went by the wayside says o flynn (great KK mick o flynn physical trainer KK)
And a lot of people jaws would have been dropping on account of it, but there's a time when things have to move on.
In some cases it wasn't a total loss of form, but there's comes a time when you have to wield the axe.
Brian (cody) is very good at seeing players in decline.
It's a tough call because your talking to players that have been loyal to you and that you had good relationship with in a lot of cases but you just got to say, "okay, right this is it "
You could go on for another year with this player but at the end of the day you could be sorry '
]
Cork needs to adopt similar policy in football and hurling
Look at some players in cork football and hurling etc
They are simply not up to it and as flynn said yes it's harsh but look you got to in he words wield the axe This imo is senior elite gaa, not an airline where you carry passengers in purely on the field of play players aren't performing
Cork hurling and football is carrying lads not up to the mark.
Cork under twenty one football was ruthless this year, and correctly so, demanded performance after shambles of limerick and got a performance v kerry and dropped two highly promising lads from the panel as attuode and level performance was not up to requirements even though cork had injury worries they could been tempted to carry these two, no, gene and Hayes attiude is performance required or good luck and thanks

Now, they're are not even senior players but Sean Hayes critsed the under twenty one team publicly after the woeful performance v limerick
You see Hayes and gene had such records that they were able to critse the panel
Did the cork players give out
No,not one, none of the soft minded rubbish but they had real character that showed in a tremendous win v kerry and a superb come back v tipperary
I saw one training session in that stood out with this team
Gene was furiously of the sloppy play
He said yere not young anymore but yere young men
He treated them like young men and wanted them to take responsibility
He said ye don't want be seen as the team that lost the fine in a row
And it was not for a lack of effort they lost

None this rubbish, we're too negative, in the failure see a win as a win as a false dawn v limerick but the ruthless ability to say we should be beating limerick but the errors were not on
Your see there is now a legacy and culture of a minimum standards in cork under twenty one football that even against poor teams a certain level is required

Cork seniors football unfortunately has hasn't the same twelve years success under twenty one has So no such legacy or minium standard, some still no matter what say, ah things never that bad give them a chance.

Remember where cork football under twenty one came from, in 2003 worst ever team he Was coached on noel o leary said in Sunday tribune interview, by Anthony Davis when they were minor all Ireland winners two years before But lost to waterford at under twenty one.

You see cork under twenty one football came from rock bottom just like our wonderful senior ladies that same years in as the then ladies captain changed ladies football for ever by saying a written letter from the panel that as much as they liked their manager and had huge time for her it just as manager was not working
None this lark, give it another year were too negative let's Support cork Ladies football with total postive views despite problems clearly existing

They actually have given the best support cork could have had by saying what was wrong and needed to be said.

They truly supported their cause by having the courage and conviction to called it's as it was, and demand change
That's why cork are now leading lights of football and in another league final And imo will win the all Ireland with possibly Galway there main threat who if not this year Galway will I have no doubt win an all Ireland as unlike kerrys monaghan and Dublin don't fear cork having put up splendid performance in the league in Mourne abbey unlucky to loose and minor beat cork last year



I find unfortunately that some times when county are in a famine a huge despondent nature befall them in negatives which is understandable but the first rate of light then they actually imo get carried away and this in particular been the story of cork football for years and any other fan that doesn't swallow all that hype or believed once bitten twice shy in he still say things are wrong , there deemed negative and you hear the usual nonsense ah let's all get behind the team and stop being negative when unfortunately imo I'm the cody mick o flynn type, I have no no no interest or great desire or want in talking negative regards any cork team however like them it's tough tough love and none this soft minded approach in if it's good it's good I'll say it but if it's bad say if as even though no one wants hear negative, by covering up flaws just cause people want total postive views,it fools no one but themselves in the business end of championship.

There's the usual stuff talked but certain players aren't Playing well , must be poor training or managers surely see what we don't and has be merit why some are overlooked.

If Brian cody or Fitzmauirce are doing it as there proven I tend to trust their judgements

The difficulty I have with cork Football set up and will do until events prove other wise is their perception players not as always proven been correct and justified as seen by the playing of Colm of driscoll past year that had been taken off v may and donnacha should started but didn't, paddy kelly not starting, the farce of dualism all these I think any body would said hardly confidence of inspiration in choices is created
The same was said four years age regards harnedy at under twenty one hurling, must be valid reason why he never got game time under Fitzgerald

No their wasn't in harnedy most knew he had all potential, the reason why he wasn't picked was a great player ger Fitzgerald was he was actually a awful awful truly awful manager as he's four years proved.


Cork management made a superb choice in flangan appointment and deserve credit as for bringing Mccarthy back but recall of paddy o shea and o Connor late on and other mistakes I'm still in view some improvement but craving way way more to win an all Ireland

People say management may have good reasons not to judge dinnen and leary
But that is easily disapproved when both didn't get any sustained run in championship or league while cussen, sullivan Gould gets games after games
Rory deane people thinking will be on the fringe panel for cork, I hope so but I doubt it's as he didn't get much game before injury now did he
People say defence has improved this year structure wise?!!
I'd love if anyone could explain this to me please
Imo bodies back is all were doing as we have the second worst defence in the league bar kerry who imo don't give away monkeys about the league and as proven have a defensive system for championship so imo cork are worst record in the league.

I geuinely dont want all my views to be negative but it not meant to be but as roy Keane, and other great cork gaa people said even lehane this week called it, you must have honesty within so I am not going to rock down to kerry or Dublin and say all is rosy if it's not, build cork up to new heights only to be brought down to earth again when
Cork football suffered this fate far too long in the past.

I support cork football totally and support management, in there over this team in if they prove themselves I'll back them to a hilt however using kerry KK mantra calling a spade a spade and realistic assement it Is deemed a view of non supportive cork by some.

Nonsense in l will be in croke park Sunday like many other games , that's support and I'll be hoarse cheering on cork, but cork needs tough love not this attuide we can do our best, getting semi final all Ireland good enough lark
Sorry now but I certainly don't want to wait likes others twenty more years for an all Ireland.
Same in hurling we must call a spade a spade.



And the cork under twenty one football were a credit to their county this year.
They had great management.

In cork, If you critse some players over and over again despite still getting picked there's a nonsense view ah go easy what's the agenda
As proven by this quote from that hurling book there is no agenda,but in cork we must follow the cody line of thought
Had cody anything personal against carter
No he didn't
He had a job to do, he done that job
Simple as that, nothing more or less.

When you drop a player and performance is justified no problem, if you drop lads that never got chances or actually done well then it's imo correct to question things
At times fans often say ah don't be too harsh yet once on field of play it's fine and people that want certain lads get chance after chance would do well to remember there the same fans that have to suffer the pain of defeats to kerry again and watch KK kerry win all Ireland year after year when it's that dare not critse lack of call a spade a spade is part of why cork isn't in hurling like KK or in football not even remotely close to kerry imo

Landers offers hope in the hurling but imo the KK game and the league, will tell a lot in the panel will be announced after it for the summer and if certain names still there if don't play well next two weeks imo shows cork have learned nothing from last year and it spells bad for all Ireland as while I don't doubt cork will be a top four team, that's simply not good enough any more, top four is not worth a flying kangaroo or chicken in the win, cork hurling will only be judged on all Irelands
The day cork settles for top four well it's a sad sad sad day for cork hurling imo

Just my opinion but cork gaa needs to loose it's soft minded approach at senior elite levels and become ruthless like KK, And kerry in fans, coaching etc
Once it's not personal judge on the field of play.


As regards Alan o Connor midfield
https://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/1408131017-midfield-view-dermot-earley-on-football/
Brilliant insight two year ago on modern midfield play

Now the more I have though on o Connor what can he bring to this set up
Well he can win high ball and he's tackling was top top class in he's day.
He was good at driving forward but he's pace imo is gone and to harass and tackle consistently and track back and work work work imo While he's skill set and work ethic is fine I don't belive he can last a championship game at pace and imo.

If he's there to win and break ball you would say he be fine in if he had a worker maybes he'd be okay in the new system but what about when he face kerry who won't have one midfield ball winner and a worker but will actually have two in maher and moran who can win ball and work likes dogs and Buckley and Walsh and Donaghey if needed all kerry will do is just close off o Connor and o Connor is no good for just being an impact sub in cork need more.

Midfield you have to have sustained domination overall the game not in fits and starts
If cork start him what happens after a half Of play, and if he plays as a sub what do we do, like in killarney two years ago when kerry midfield dominated the first half that cork were around ten points down, close the door when the horse has well and truly bolted and bring him on
There's three golden rules in sport, you do not chase games to the KK, kerry all blacks of this world


Yes you could think the likes of work horses in half forward line and a deeper system closes off the space, true he you would think would not be exposed like in Dublin years ago but in the blanket he still has to defend and imo I don't think he has the legs to
Did he stand out in the last year cork county club scene.
Imo no he didn't

O shea Donaghey are all big men but imo faster than o Connor
A step back wards to go forwards is fine if it's logical imo I don't see it and in fact talking to a kerry man steeped In gaa coaching he said kerry will blow up this as worry to them but when cork call up paddy o shea who was badly beaten in club game weeks ago and o Connor it's actually desperation in cork solving kick out and midfield options.
O Connor would survive imo in ennis , Tullamore navan tight small pitches but in killarney or croke park two years on I have huge doubts

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/alan-oconnor-is-corks-most-improved-player-162032.html
Read Fitzmauirce here
He knows how good o Connor is absolutely what he brought as that article was four years ago but have no mistake he knows he's weakness now and have no doubt four years on o Connor he knows is not the same player imo and just as he recognised he's strong points then, he knows he's weak ness now four years on.

I'm hoping that Flanagan fitness reigme and the break works in hes favour but a two year gap imo with no pre season or league is a huge ask of a player way off the pace two years ago
Look at tommy Walsh, he's training and super fit with the afl and he's back with kerry but look how hard it's for him too get up to championship pace with a full league behind him and pre season
He'll get there I don't doubt.

O Connor back now in may nearly, championship coming around the corner imo is fraught with danger and if it back fires it sends out an poor message to fringe midfield players in the still can't get a game but if I was leary or dinnen I'd be sick when I didn't get chance and I see cussen recall , half backs and half forwards played their when natural midfield can't even get a look in

You see a lot of this talk is imo people like in fantasy football pick a team on paper and say ah lovely but reality on field play is different
People see o Connor lording the air but they're fail you take in the savage intensity required in the coal face for seventy minutes
Could it work, I would love it to, if so cork have real hope and I'm a huge o Connor fan.

Realistic wise imo I can't see it
Maybes if he had a full league behind him but he doesn't
And is he a seventy minutes man??

I love Fitzmauirce reference to the quote, defence wins championship, offence wins games

I hope someone tells cork management that as cork conceded 7-109 in a blanket which is absolutely imo a real real worry come championship and no where near imo the level it should be when you look at Dublin the best defence in the league this year not my opinion, but merely a fact of time

I don't right negative for the sake of it
Anyone reading my posts surely realise I do so only when justified
I haven't mentioned any negative thoughts bar the cork minor hurling or under twenty one football or junior football as I think cork have proven successful managers in those grades
The senior hurling overall is postive but there's still a few concerns for cork to go from good to being all Ireland champions. This KK game is a real test of Andy Walsh and lawton up against hogan and tj Reid at midfield
Tonight is a real test




KK team play cork
Murphy
Shane Prendegast
Holden
Joyce
Padraig Walsh
Rob lennon
Diarmuid cody
Reid
Hogan
Ruth
Colin fennelly
Power
Farell
Kelly
bulger

Subs

Riche Reid
Troy
Conor o shea
Joe lyng
Conor martin
James meager

Cork half back line imo bar Ellis could struggle as Ruth may not be great but sullivan imo I doubt up to this level
Burke is much better corner back and should be ahead of kearney with Murphy at seven

Good test for Mccarthy
Cody may be Brian son but he's not in there for this reason and has trained at senior all ready and is good hurler, set to play for the under twenty one team this year.

Cronin has a good test on Walsh,
it's a strong KK team but on paper cork have a much better subs bench it seems with Spillane, cadogan farell, Murphy, lorcan, lehane, horgan, aidan Walsh, Mcdonnell imo if needs arises cork can use them and should win
John cronin is a sub and if Mccarthy or the midfield for cork are not performing after twenty minutes he must get game time, he has to imo
As the league showed there is never a bad KK team but once cork show the desire and hunger should win but for me the result is not important in i be happy Ryan, Walsh, coughlan etc all fringe players performed well.

sean mac

TTM, we usually agree but on alan oconnor and the pace issue - too much is being made on him being burned by the footballer of the year in croke park in 2013. Manangement were as culpable for letting him on mcauley and for the open naïve manner of play cork adopted.
Oconnor has the same level of pace as either maher or buckley from Kerry or either oshea, however his strengths ; winning ball and tackling can be accomdated in a system, in which you have pace in the middle 8 and cork have that, now wheterh they select the right combination of players is different.
I think bringing back onconnor is a good move, he could have a big impact IF a system is built correctly and with this management team if he actually gets games.
As for the Dublin team very strong, cian o sullvian in perhaps his best position at centre back, ocarroll back a big boost for them also. Big worry for cork is a non scoring half forward line and 2 men playing corner back out of position, tomorrow as has beensaid is the real sign of where we are this year

thinkstoomuch1

sean mac wrote: »

TTM, we usually agree but on alan oconnor and the pace issue - too much is being made on him being burned by the footballer of the year in croke park in 2013. Manangement were as culpable for letting him on mcauley and for the open naïve manner of play cork adopted.
Oconnor has the same level of pace as either maher or buckley from Kerry or either oshea, however his strengths ; winning ball and tackling can be accomdated in a system, in which you have pace in the middle 8 and cork have that, now wheterh they select the right combination of players is different.
I think bringing back onconnor is a good move, he could have a big impact IF a system is built correctly and with this management team if he actually gets games.
As for the Dublin team very strong, cian o sullvian in perhaps his best position at centre back, ocarroll back a big boost for them also. Big worry for cork is a non scoring half forward line and 2 men playing corner back out of position, tomorrow as has beensaid is the real sign of where we are this year

I'll take your view regards o Connor as your astute view so hopefully it will work
Will he last a game my worry but a terrific player

Do you think we'll beat Dublin
If we made position changes and as mcauley out have a chance but worry is we start same places this team

sean mac

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

I'll take your view regards o Connor as your astute view so hopefully it will work
Will he last a game my worry but a terrific player

Do you think we'll beat Dublin
If we made position changes and as mcauley out have a chance but worry is we start same places this team

Alan will not last a game imo, but he would be agreat option to start and work hard for 50 mins, setting the tempo for cork etc
As for tomorrow, I don't think we will beat Dublin tomorrow, I think our corner backs are not great especially loughrey who imo is not up to this level of football.
Our half forward line is fine with orrourke and imo colm does a job but kevin o driscoll isn't good enough for this level and agains t a very very strong Dublin half back line will struggle.

zetecescort

Cork 3-14 KK 3-19 55min

Paudi O'Sullivan with 2 goals, 1 from a penalty and Stephan Moylan with the 3rd

Pos087

zetecescort wrote: »

Cork 3-14 KK 3-19 55min

Paudi O'Sullivan with 2 goals, 1 from a penalty and Stephan Moylan with the 3rd

Thanks for the score. If you can could you post result and how it went. Was unable to go tonight

zetecescort

Cork 4-18 KK 3-21 67min, Dayne Lee goal

attendance of 3185

zetecescort

Cork 4-18 KK 3-21 Full time

Pos087

zetecescort wrote: »

Cork 4-18 KK 3-21 67min, Dayne Lee goal

attendance of 3185

Good turn out I hope they made loads of money. Even though things are tough for a lot of people we still are a great little country.

ShamoBuc

Pos087 wrote: »

Good turn out I hope they made loads of money. Even though things are tough for a lot of people we still are a great little country.

Completely agree! Again, major thanks to kk, two fantastic sporting counties on display!

thinkstoomuch1

Good crowd and for a good cause and a draw was a good result for cork after like last week a comeback when the game seemed gone
The efforts and commitment is fine and never give up as last week showed but cork have problems but can almost all be fixed

KK have problems st full back and imo holden fine player but won't do there but guaranteed cody probably realises this as he not great under high ball

Walsh had a fine game

Cork are in trouble at fill back but aidan Ryan in unfamiliar role done very well and two games row was good so add in two better corner backs he had tonight probably be better
Physical and good on the air he has potential

O dounoughe fine young talent in football and possibly hurling but struggled tonight and cork have better corner backs sullivan started as changes to team be fair was okay now but again cork much better corner backs


I can't understand why pa cronin who was poor v limerick two years ago challenge in tougher and then league v Waterford at six played their when he needs confidence and just back injury ask him do a job imo he not suited for and be better centre forward or fill
Wouldn't judge him in played out position and not centre back

Burke was good but corner suits him
Walsh tried hard but had tough game and while effort commendable doesn't look imo make it lawton imo was poor also and while had moments wasn't consistent enough and again chances he got
Fine club player cork have better

Cronin started and worked hard won lot ball not always best use it so not great but he deserves same chances others and only second game
Others got ten chances surely deserves five

Cooper had great game and like said last week will improve with games
Loves KK style games and even all Ireland intermediate final beaten cork side years ago v KK played well
He loves the physical side and has great work ethic and attuide


Coughlan played out position got lovely points, man struggled injury done well good touch and pace and imo option sub half forward or midfield
Twice now play well v KK
Sullivan excellent from frees and play two goals and certainly starter cork play three men inside if cork play two then ist sub
Superb touch and skill
Moylan goal worked hard so give him time v Waterford


Lee got good goal, nice skill and in time will be physical
Cork load forwards scoring similar him so imo don't need him this year and bit soon but has very good future and I would player Spillane who better chance making impact championship yet cork gave him little time as sub

Good night for wall and crowds showed that and best luck in he recovery

Draw good result but have no doubt some KK lads played won't play championship panel under cody as he'll be ruthless in naming panel and unfortunately cork have to be same as some have be released as all can't play on the panel
Collins had good game when introduced
Mccarthy good moment but imo not best half forward cork hsve

clerk

sean mac wrote: »

I think bringing back onconnor is a good move, he could have a big impact IF a system is built correctly and with this management team if he actually gets games.

l'm delighted to see O'Connor coming back personally, as he's only 29 in any case. Cork need a serious ball winner in the middle of the park at the business end of the Championship and hopefully he can do the job. l don't get too worked up about fellows leaving the panel or whatever, that is their own business the way l look at things.

If he lasts 50 minutes, that's grand, it's a 20 man game anyway. Plus he brings experience to a young senior dressing room.

I think it reflects well on the setup that's he's made the decision to come back too. So it's positive news all round.

zetecescort

Lisgoold had a Junior football championship game yesterday afternoon, they hardly agreed to play without Cronin

Hurleratheart

being honest the minor champions hip games yesteday in UCC Mardyke were disapointing

weather turned nasty before start of douglas piarsaig game and didnt really get a lot better, and didnt help events

taught douglas touch was poor, i was expecting a better performance from them, Walsh done well on Gunning he was piarsaighs main danger man

Shane kingston looked the part when he got on the ball but was out of it for a good share of match so struggling still wtih injury - he had a cracking shot at goal finished by young James Holland

delited to see some of the young lads getting a run, Brian Turnbull Holland and Howell as well, these lads are players for the future

overall Douglas need to sharpen up to make an impact, i taught this would be a good year for them so i hope they improve they have potential

surprised piarsaigh has such a young team out, taught o leary and kieran hanifan played for AG team but not named yesterday, no sign of connolly but think he has injury, Evan Sheehan had good game at midlfield but very far from goal to be a serious threat - Fitzgerald was ff, and was missed in goal, poor goalie had a bad day at the office, that happens sometimes hooefully the lad wont lose his nerve - fitzgerald is a fine goalie, good shotstopper and a great puck out. mentors looking at options havin ghim outfield but missed in goal yest

both teams should improve they are better than showed yesterday

o neills and sars game played at differnt pace and intencity - broderick at mf for fr o neills very hard working and harrington / o connor strong at 6 & 9 Deccie Dalton outfield and shows signs of his ability but leg strapped and he had to go off early in second half so thats a worry for cork minors - murphy sars centre back done well, and liam healy very sharp in corner. jack o connor got a few nice scores too. it was a mistake in defence let sars in for their goal but not too much between teams besides. i taught fr o neills would be better but dalton a big loss and billy dune not in game at all - Sars have lost their cb for year Gaffney i think with knee injury maybe crucite
hackett and daly quite for Sars as well so tho a better game than douglas piarsaigh it didnt really take off

hopefully better games ahead

waterford/limerick play off in next two weeks and winners will play cork minors in semi final

think all club action gone now til after exams

zetecescort

Noel Galvin starting in place of Tom Clancy

zetecescort

Cork Ladies beat Kerry 0-13 to 0-10 meaning Cork Hurling, Football, Camogie and Ladies Football have qualified for league finals

Iseult The Fair

Hurleratheart wrote: »

o neills and sars game played at differnt pace and intencity - broderick at mf for fr o neills very hard working and harrington / o connor strong at 6 & 9 Deccie Dalton outfield and shows signs of his ability but leg strapped and he had to go off early in second half so thats a worry for cork minors - murphy sars centre back done well, and liam healy very sharp in corner. jack o connor got a few nice scores too. it was a mistake in defence let sars in for their goal but not too much between teams besides. i taught fr o neills would be better but dalton a big loss and billy dune not in game at all - Sars have lost

Eoghan recently played for the Minors and acquitted himself well. He's a good lad.