Mismatch a catastrophe for shell-shocked Cork
They’re the ones stumbling, hollow-eyed and shell-shocked, from yesterday’s events in Croke Park.
The term ‘match’ seems a bit generous for what happened, which could handily be described with a do-it-yourself kit containing the words mauling, Cats and again.
Speaking of euphemisms, the CIA had a handy phrase, energetic disassembly, which covered a multitude of situations involving destruction and explosion. It seems fairly appropriate here as well.
Cork’s energetic disassembly wasn’t facilitated by Kilkenny yesterday. It was pursued with extreme prejudice, to use another term beloved of the US military-industrial complex. If you think we’re being harsh in saying the game was over at the break, we’re not alone. Cork manager Denis Walsh said as much himself at the final whistle. He had no alternatives.
“It’s an awful thing to say, but the game was over at half-time. I suppose playing for pride is a term that’s commonly used, and we were playing for more than pride at half-time.
“We knew going out in the second half that Kilkenny wouldn’t let up, and from that point of view, in fairness, we stuck to our guns. If we’d come out and waved the white flag completely in the second half there’d be another 12 or 13 points on that scoreline today.
“The game was well over before the end, it’s hugely disappointing to be involved in a situation where you’ve trained a team long and hard and then we’ve left everyone down.
“I suppose we’ve left ourselves down more than anyone else, but that’s not good enough. What we produced today wasn’t good enough and we have to take it on the chin.”
For supporters in red, time became elasticated and more miserable, once Kilkenny nailed their two first-half goals, which spurred them to a 2-12 to 0-5 half-time lead.
For those sporting black and amber every score was simply repetition for emphasis: in the six minutes after the break they scored four points (Richie Power with two frees, Eddie Brennan and ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick). They could also afford three wides in the same period.
Walsh was asked if he felt his side was competitive with every other team in hurling except Kilkenny, the kind of speculative question that’s usually rejected out of hand. Not yesterday.
“I suppose that’s a gut feeling I have – that if we were playing someone else today, the way we prepared, that we’d go toe to toe with them, but that’s not much good.
“Kilkenny are the market leaders and that’s the standard, being honest. When we come back next year I don’t see their standards slipping one bit.”
Next year? Walsh may be underselling the market leaders’ strength.
In yesterday’s minor game Kilkenny dismissed Galway, 5-19 to 0-15. John Power of Carrickshock was excellent for Kilkenny in that game, as was Padraig Walsh of Tullaroan.
John’s brother Richie wasn’t bad for the Kilkenny seniors in the following game, and you may have heard of Padraig’s older brother Tommy, who plays a bit at wing-back.
Even their full-back is from Dunamaggin, just like Noel Hickey on the senior side. Same as it ever was.
Waterford or Tipperary will make the right noises towards the end of August, and whichever team comes out of next weekend’s semi-final will arrive in Croke Park for the All-Ireland final with plans to make amends – Tipp for last year, Waterford for two years before.
Answer this question: this morning, who are you backing to win that game?
