Anthony Daly: Some impressive new traits on display from Ben O'Connor's Cork

Cork’s electric league opener thrilled Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but sterner tests will define Ben O’Connor’s early progress

Declan Dalton of Cork scores his side's second goal, a penalty, during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Cork and Waterford at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

As soon as I arrived into Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, I landed into a welter of excitement. The decibel levels were soaring in tandem with the Cork footballers’ late roll against Cavan. Having trailed by seven points, Cork kicked the last eight scores of the match, with the roof nearly lifting off the stand when Steven Sherlock curled over a two-pointer to bag the result.

The crowd was certainly a help to the footballers late on. It’s only right that they could get a bounce from their own supporters when they needed it. They have always been in the shadow of the hurlers – and always will be – but this was another reminder of how much of an event a Cork hurling match always is now in PUC.