Noonan: we have some juggling to do
In Leinster, there’s the meeting of Ballyhale Shamrocks and Oulart-the-Ballagh in Wexford Park tomorrow with a strong representation from both counties on each team, while in Thurles, at the same time, local champions Thurles Sarsfields meet a resurgent Newtownshandrum from Cork. Four superb sides, two outstanding matches in prospect.
For Munster hurling followers, the clash in Thurles is especially attractive. Two storied clubs, but with very contrasting recent fortunes — Sars emerging from the doldrums at the turn of this decade after 30 years in the wilderness, Newtownshandrum emerging for the first time as a real force at the top level in Cork.
There are contrasting styles also with Newtownshandrum the pioneers of the running/possession game while Thurles Sars favour the more traditional direct approach.
There are no injury concerns for Newtownshandrum manager Phil Noonan, but he will still have to make one change from the starting line-up that won the Cork title in such emphatic fashion. Full-forward James Bowles – a former Cork senior panellist – received a late straight red card in that win over Sars and despite the depth in the Newtown panel this year, the attacker will be a big loss according to Noonan.
He admitted: “It will affect us. He is a big strong target-man and we don’t have a readymade replacement of similar size. It will probably be a different type of player in there now – we have a bit of juggling to do.”
Next in line in the forward department for the north Cork side are John O’Connor and John Paul King, both experienced campaigners who saw early second-half action against Sars, but both of whom are more suited to the half-forward line. Ben O’Connor, now operating in the left corner, could be switched to full-forward, where he spent much of his career with the club.
Such tactical puzzles are hardly the ideal preparation against a Thurles Sars full-back line which shone in their home championship success. All Star Pádraic Maher is the anchor while Michael Cahill who did such a superb man-marking job on Drom & Inch dangerman Seamus Callanan in the one-sided Tipperary final win, will probably revert back to the corner with Kevin O’Gorman completing this line.
Though all three are U21, Noonan consider the trio ‘the strongest line they have’.
“I was at the Tipperary final, and it was very hard to judge anything from that as they weren’t put under any pressure. They have a lot of very good players — two All Stars (Maher and Corbett), four on the Tipperary senior panel, several more U21’s and minors. The quality of the match wasn’t great but you can’t blame Thurles Sars for that. They did what they had to do, and did it well at that. I think their full-back line is the strongest line they have. They are young but are very controlled. They have a lot of young players – I’d say they’re much like ourselves in the number of new players from the last time we met (2005, won by Newtown). They’re an interesting team, but we certainly didn’t see the best of them in the final, they were far more impressive in earlier rounds.”
Like Newtownshandrum, Sars are a potent attacking force, bristling with threat in both lines of attack, Larry Corbett, Pa Bourke and Richie Ruth with the pace, Johnny Enright with the guile, Shane Ryan with the power, Denis Maher the non-stop worker. But it was their defensive effort that most impressed in that win over Drom & Inch, restricting the hitherto unbeaten Mid-Tipp champions to just five points.
A display of physical power, embodied in centre-back Liam Cahill, rather than the panache normally associated with this team. “They have a lot of pace, but they also have size,” noted Noonan. “They’re probably bigger and stronger than us. I’d say they’re better than they were in 2005 — we won’t be taking anything for granted, especially not in their home place.”
One element that a lot of people are looking forward to is the meeting of Lar Corbett and Cathal Naughton. Nominally a half-forward (started in the centre against Drom & Inch), Lar has been playing deeper and deeper for Sars, almost as a third midfielder, while Cathal now partners PJ Copse in a new-look Newtownshandrum midfield with Jerry O’Connor on the 40. At some stage in this match, we’re surely going to see a footrace between the two speedsters, a prospect to savour. The clash of styles, too, will be interesting.
Noonan continued: “Their game seems to be to collect the ball and drive it as far as they can. And they have very good players to stand under the ball and fight for it.”
Newtown, as usual, and especially without Bowles, will be relying very much on their running game, holding possession and very deliberate placement of the ball. It has the makings of a fine contest, even if the weather is promising to be less than perfect for hurling.
“The standard is going up, we’re coming up against better hurlers, but conditions are deteriorating. It’s going to be windy, soft, where our fellas would prefer the dry ball. But, you have to be able to play in all conditions. It has the makings of a great game, and hopefully we can pull it off, but we’ll have to be at our best.”
If they are, if Newtownshandrum can get their game going, they can do it; anything less, however, and the more physically powerful Sars will progress.
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