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Cork continue balancing act

Such has been its unpredictability this summer, only Nostradamus would be able to predict the Cork team.

It certainly hasn’t been settled. Even at this relatively late stage of the season, they are prepared to give youth its head with Damien Cahalane preferred at full-back.

But as selector Kieran Kingston explains, when the management are attempting to foster a panel, there have to be changes and shifts.

“Both publicly and in the dressing room at the start of the year, we said we’d be trying guys out while not changing the team for the sake of changing.

“What we wanted to do was develop a squad and ensure we have good cover in each line. No matter what challenge was presented to us, we wanted to be comfortable with guys stepping in.

“It is very important that we do that by keeping a balance with older and experienced players. I think we have achieved that.”

Kingston knows Cahalane is flanked by experience in Shane O’Neill and Brian Murphy but he has the utmost faith in the 19-year-old son of Cork footballing great Niall.

“Damien has shown us through his involvement with the Barr’s and with the minors and U21s that he is ready to step into the position at full-back.

“We’re delighted with his attitude and commitment to us this year. He didn’t get as much game-time in the league as we would have liked but he played against Galway and played well.”

Neither Seán Óg Ó hAilpín nor John Gardiner would have been candidates for a position in the full-back like Cahalane. The experienced pair haven’t play a minute of championship hurling this year and Kingston appreciates they’re frustrated, though willing, to help the younger players.

“Those guys played a huge part in our league run and are still playing a huge part in preparing guys now.

“We have 34 guys there and we can only play 15 on the day. So there are going to be 11 guys disappointed not to be playing and then another seven or eight on the training panel disappointed because they’re not part of the match-day panel.

“Everybody in this group wants to play and win. Seán Óg and John Gardiner are fantastic hurlers and want to win but they’re going to be disappointed not to be starting and that’s understandable.”

With just one goal scored in their last three competitive games, Kingston admits management have discussed the matter with their forwards but not to any great extent.

“It’s something we’ve spoken about but no different to any other aspect of our game. Our total of 1-26 last Saturday night would win most games and we would have no complaints about that scoring.

“If it was 2-23 or 3-20, less would be said of it but we’re conscious of goals. We’ve said to the guys that if opportunities arise, they’re expected to go for them.

“But with developing a team, you’re also developing a style of play and the forward line is not as experienced as the likes of Kilkenny or Tipperary.”

As much as Cork are fancied to see off Wexford this evening, he assures they’re taking nothing for granted after being run close by Offaly seven days earlier.

“Any hint or possibility of complacency would have been taken away by the Offaly game. Offaly came down to win and we know Wexford, with Liam Dunne in charge, will be firing on all cylinders.

“Liam had great bite as a player and will bring great bite to his own team. We know it was only in the last few minutes that we pulled away from Offaly.

“We won’t be overconfident in any shape or form.

“If we’re beaten in Thurles, it won’t be complacency that does it.”

Kingston also hopes Cork supporters will travel up the M8 and railway to Thurles in their droves to back a young team that need the encouragement.

“Wexford will have a good following because they’ve the two games to watch but we’d be hopeful that we’ll have a good crowd too because it’s not on TV.

“It’s very important to a young team that they get good backing and, in fairness, the Cork people have been supporting them.”

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