Sorry lads, but you don’t compare to the mighty Rebels of 70’s

IT is always an unenviable and invidious exercise to compare teams and players of different eras.

Times, conditions and circumstances change and hurling now is entirely different to the game in the 1970s when Cork last won three All-Ireland senior hurling titles in a row.

Training is now more intense; fitness levels are much higher; the rules have undergone change; and the sliothar these days is lighter and travels faster and further. Also, the services of dieticians, physiotherapists and even psychologists are now an integral part of the backroom scene.

However, the one vital ever-present element is the skill factor. A skilled player will impact any era.

The Cork team of 1976-77-78 and that which embarks tomorrow on its bid to emulate their illustrious predecessors have both had an abundance of skilful players in their ranks.

Ben O’Connor is arguably the most skilful member of the present side, but perhaps there was a greater number of highly talented players in the all-conquering team of the 1970’s — Tom Cashman, Dermot McCurtain, Gerald McCarthy, Jimmy Barry-Murphy and that lethal free-scoring full-forward line of Charlie McCarthy, Ray Cummins and Seanie O’Leary spring to mind.

Added to those was “blond” John Horgan, whose long relieving clearances and accurate free-taking often rallied the team and roused Cork followers; Brian Murphy who was consistency personified and the free-striding Denis Coughlan, chosen at number seven in Cork’s millennium team. And that’s not to forget Johnny Crowley, impregnable in the middle of a defence which was bolstered by full back, Martin O’Doherty.

It was a formidable unit.

Tim Crowley could operate with equal success at half forward or midfield and the elegant Pat Moylan often contributed handsomely on the scoreboard. Throw in Pat McDonnell, Mick

Malone and a superb goalkeeper in Martin Coleman, and it is easy to see why this team was the dominant force in the 1970s.

How does the present team compare? Neither goalkeeper would be found wanting. Donal Óg Cusack is much more than a shot stopper. He dictates a lot of what happens outfield with his puck outs. Diarmuid O’Sullivan would, perhaps, shade the full back position. His long clearances and timely bursts out of defence have the same effect of that of John Horgan in the 70s.

But the corner men of the three-in-a-row side get my vote, despite some heroic performances by Wayne Sherlock, Brian Murphy and Pat Mulcahy.

Solomon himself would find it difficult to separate the respective half-back lines — both packed with players who have adorned the game with skill, splendour and sportsmanship.

Tom Kenny and Jerry O’Connor have their admirers but the Gerald McCarthy/Pat Moylan and Tom Cashman/Tim Crowley midfield partnerships were awesome.

It is in attack that the 1970s side would really come out on top. Today’s attacking sextet just would not compare. Only Ben O’Connor would be guaranteed a place in the three-in-a-row side.

Younger followers would perhaps be shocked at the omission of Joe Deane but he would find it very difficult to dislodge Charlie McCarthy or Seanie O’Leary.

Brian Corcoran would certainly have been accommodated somewhere in defence on the 70s team but he would never have been in attack, as that great maker and taker of scores Ray Cummins made the number 14 shirt his own.

There was also great flexibility in the 70s team, plus they played against stronger opposition. Only Martin Coleman, Brian Murphy, Denis Coughlan, Charlie McCarthy and Ray Cummins occupied the same position in the three All-Ireland finals. Fr Pat Barry was full back in 1976 with Martin O’Doherty on his left. Johnny Crowley played in the right-half back position with John Horgan at centre back. Gerald

McCarthy and Pat Moylan were at midfield with Mick Malone, Brendan Cummins and Jimmy Barry-Murphy forming the half-back line.

The following year Martin O’Doherty was at full back with John Horgan on his left, while Pat McDonnell manned the centre-back position. Tom Cashman and Timmy Crowley formed a new midfield partnership with Mick Malone, Jimmy Barry Murphy and Gerald McCarthy operating in the half-forward line.

Dermot McCurtain came into the 1978 team at right-half back with Johnny Crowley moving to centre back. Gerald McCarthy moved from left to right-half forward, with Pat Moylan coming back at left-half forward.

Despite winning back-to-back titles, the present Rebel side has not introduced new blood to the starting 15 - that is a worrying factor as they prepare to follow in the footsteps of the mighty men of the ‘70’s.