Cork’s slow starts now a big problem, admits JBM

Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy admits that sluggish starts have "become a problem" for Cork, having had to reel in a nine-point Waterford lead in their Munster senior hurling championship opener.

“It is, certainly. Going back to our games last year, both All-Ireland finals included. It’s something that came up immediately after the Waterford game, and it has become a problem now, because we’re chasing down leads in games, and that’s taking a toll on the team. You get to a stage where you’re pegging back a lead of eight, nine, 10 points and that’s going to take a toll on the players, mentally and physically.

“It’s certainly something we hope to address on Sunday. We’ll have to if we’re to go anywhere at all. You can’t start giving good teams leads like that and hope to win anything.”