With this leadership, Cork look the real deal
However, the sparks only flew here after the interval as Cork and Tipp served up a very pedestrian first-half.
What stood out for me in both these games was the number of back-passes. At times I wondered if I had wandered into a soccer match. Tipperary especially were at it — what’s wrong with just driving a well-directed ball long at times? Especially when you have big powerful forwards up front, as Tipperary had in Brian O’Meara and John O’Brien.
The methodical build-up is all very well but it gives the defence time to get organised — quick early ball out in front, that’s all any good forward ever needed, that’s what even the best defenders always hated to see, and still hate to see.
What impressed me most about Cork yesterday was the leadership shown on the field, a leadership that was very much lacking in Tipperary — this team is the real deal. You have to give great credit to Jimmy Barry Murphy and his management team for the way they have approached their task. Jimmy was an outstanding forward himself, but he has started where every manager should start, with his defence.
Even with a few fellas missing yesterday Cork still looked very solid. Eoin Cadogan was outstanding at centre-back, Shane O’Neill, Stephen McDonnell and Conor O’Sullivan were all excellent behind him, but my man-of-the-match for Cork was William Egan — what a game he had.
Midfield was decent for Cork but those forwards — every one of them can score, but they also have ball-winners. Half-forwards Pa Cronin and Niall McCarthy especially won a huge amount of ball but also got on the scoresheet. Niall has really matured and his shooting is now very impressive.
Finally, you look at the three inside forwards — Luke O’Farrell, Paudie O’Sullivan and Patrick Horgan are lethal, playing with freedom and confidence, and O’Farrell’s goal — what a finish.
Then you look to the bench — Conor Lehane comes in, rifles over a long-range point, Darren Sweetnam a few minutes later, another super point. This is a team that’s on the rise, outstanding individuals but the collective is what’s most important.
Tipperary? This is a wake-up call. After Eoin Kelly’s goal it was Cork who seemed to get the lift and they went on to outscore Tipp 1-8 to 0-2.
The big players have to step up — maybe we’re seeing now how much of a difference Patrick Maher makes to this team. Having seen that yesterday Limerick will be thinking they have a real chance against Tipp in the championship. That’s for later; for now, we have another episode of Cork/Kilkenny to look forward to.
I’d like to wish Donal Cusack well; hopefully the injury isn’t as serious as we’re hearing but he’s been a great servant to Cork hurling, has changed the way goalkeeping is viewed.
To Kilkenny and Clare and I’ll be brief — this was the worst league game I’ve seen so far this year.
My heart ruled my head when I said I thought Clare had a chance of competing — they did for a half, with the wind at their backs.
A word here on Eoin Larkin’s goal that was called back for a penalty that was then saved — where was the advantage in that? Crime pays in the GAA, it seems.
I’m sure Brian Cody delivered some sharp messages at half-time because on the resumption they were a different team.
I heard Clare were mountain-climbing in the dark in Kerry lately — they were mountain-climbing in a fog in Thurles yesterday, lost.
