archieknox wrote: » Waterford won 17 of their 19 puckouts. Most of these were short to both corners where Cork were happy to leave us gain possession there and try to defend us from deep. But Cork were so poor even in the basic skills and not great either at defending from deep that we found space at will and really didn't look like we didn't come out of 2nd gear. Big ask to go to Ennis 3 days after the senior final and try to win there but I believe we can up the intensity to another level and come away from there victorious.
TyrionPower wrote: » What a difference a year makes in sport, I was never as low leaving a match after the U21 game against Cork last year, some of our best up and coming players in years - hammered... Remembering the comments here it hit a lot of people hard... Hard to believe the progress we have made
deiseach wrote: » I'd love to be able to have a chat with Austin Gleeson about last night. I'm not convinced that it was a case of youthful exuberance. He's got plenty of miles on the clock now and I don't think he is going to change his ways, which is a worry. On the other hand, I've not seen him so nakedly cavalier before. Watching at home or in the stands, you might be thinking that these were all missed chances that we were going to regret. But down on the pitch, his attitude was probably that he was going to make these guys his bitches, so superior were Waterford to Cork. It was ridiculous, the way Cork players were bouncing off their opponents. Long before the end I was seeing loose balls and just knew a Waterford player would be first to it, even if they were a couple of yards behind the nearest Cork man. If you're going to throw caution to the wind, last night was the night to do it. I hope that's what he was thinking anyway. In other news, the Cork lads on here have let us know in no uncertain terms that they are in serious trouble, and I think we saw it writ large last night. I didn't feel a bit sorry for 'Cork' as the memories of countless beatings came to mind, but I managed to feel for their players who have put in the effort yet have clearly not been given the same opportunities that the Waterford lads have been given coming through the ranks. If it were just Waterford who had a formidable team then there wouldn't be anything to worry about as the cycle would inevitably drag Waterford back down and Cork's superior resources would prove telling, but with Clare and Limerick even better than us over the medium term it looks (assuming nothing changes; the natives are clearly restless down Leeside) like there is always going to be someone from the traditionally weaker counties to slap Cork down. Isn't it great?
stumblingblock wrote: » Cork have a very good minor team this year. Their 'demise' is overstated. Dont worry about them they wont be down for too long.
deiseach wrote: » They'll have good teams again, but as things stand it'll be more by accident than design. And I'm sure things will change in the way they prepare. They have to.
Deise Vu wrote: » The only negative I can think of is that there are going to be some seriously talented players who won't get regular game time in the future. I don't envy future selectors their job because they are always going to be wrong!
deiseach wrote: » Remember three years ago when Cork squeaked past us in Thurles by emptying the bench with the likes of John Gardiner and Cathal F Naughton? Now we have the likes of Tom Devine, Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran
Cake Man wrote: » Delighted with last nights result, funny to think we put up 1-21 without getting out of third gear. We must've had wides in double digits and 3 or 4 balls that dropped short into their keeper. Could easily have had upwards of 1-30, not to mention a few goal scoring opportunities. Agree Aussie needs to start laying the ball off instead of the Hail Mary efforts. To be fair to him his radar is usually more accurate and on another day would've put a few more points on the board. Devine, Tadgh, Bennetts (x3), Curran all superb. Very impressed with Darragh Lyons when he was introduced. Not ideal having Clare away 3 days after the senior munster final but I'd much prefer that then being knocked out of both (Snr and u21) after the first game which has been the diet we've been living off for the last 3 years. Really looking forward to the summer now, plenty to play for. Well done lads!
stumblingblock wrote: Cork have a good minor team this year. Their 'demise' is overstated. I wouldnt worry about them they wont be down for too lobg
commonsense. wrote: » Well if you consider no senior AI in 10 yrs, no minor AI in 14 yrs and no U21 AI in 19 yrs then yes, it is overstated. That sort of famine is unheard of in Corks hurling history. Have no doubt, the game is in serious trouble in Cork. Yes it can be turned around but it would take serious work over an extended period of time. And unfortunately that will absolutely not happen as long as Frank remains in situ. And that is the really depressing thing. There is no light at the end of the tunnel.
TyrionPower wrote: » Why won't is happen under Frank? Is it a funding issue?
Deise Vu wrote: » A few thoughts on the game. We possibly need to try and dampen expectations at this stage and consider that, along with us clearly being at a level we probably only reached once or twice in the last 20 years, that Cork are possibly at their lowest ebb ever. It was a joy to watch a Waterford team whose touch and fitness was far superior to Cork's, but what was striking was the difference in strength. Our players could break tackles or shunt their markers off the ball with ease. I hate the constant County Board bashing that goes on when teams are losing but there clearly is actually something seriously wrong in Cork when they are putting out teams in such poor physical condition. On the Austin conundrum I am reminded of my late father who every single time a ball went wide used to roar on frustration "why didn't he drop it in the square" no matter where the shot as taken from. Austin does make a lot of bad choices but it is the nature of sport that we don't know what would happen if he didn't take the shot. A lot of his efforts are from ridiculously long distances (which he covers with ease if not accurately enough) so, as far as I'm concerned they are clearances with a low percentage of a score at the other end. Give him time and his choices will improve and also his accuracy and, in the meantime, enjoy the good ones which are unreal. I don't know John Mullane other than from his playing persona which was amazing and I hope he is an inspiration to the youngsters. I hate to be negative but I hope we don't see him repeating his performance last night where he went out on the pitch and had words with Patrick Curran as he was about to take a free when we were cruising. If we were being beaten it might have antagonised the opposition and roused the Waterford crowd but last night it just look like he was putting himself at the centre of attention especially when coupled with his Phil Brown impression at the end where he seemed to be berating the players in case they thought they had medals won. These kids seem way to sensible to get carried away by a Qtr final victory so I think John should save it for when it's needed. Just to finish on an up note, in forty years or so following the Déise though some really harrowing experiences ('82'83'88'89'08 are the obvious ones but the Roscommon / Kerry experiences were actually even more damaging) I have never been as confident of the future as I am now. The only negative I can think of is that there are going to be some seriously talented players who won't get regular game time in the future. I don't envy future selectors their job because they are always going to be wrong!
PTH2009 wrote: » the sunshine supporters will be back for the munster final, the ones who go up and spend there time in the pub and are 10 mins late for the match and would know **** all about hurling.
HatchetMan7 wrote: » Would it be fair to say that Tom Devine and Shane Bennett deserve to be in the starting 15 for the Munster final. Or would people think its more important to have subs coming in that can make real impacts on the game.
archieknox wrote: » Shane Bennett will start instead of Brian O Halloran I think. Devine of course could also start but Bennett just seems to have that something special about him. Although its fair to say both will come up against better defenders than last night they still will take some stopping when in full flight. Add Paddy Curran to that and suddenly we have proper options off the bench. Heard rumblings that there could be a few of last night's panel not available for the Clare game for different reasons. The call of the American buck is attracting at least one of the squad and more not happy at seeing game time so maybe its a case of watch this space and see if anything comes to fruition.
