Now comes the hard part: Ben O'Connor on trimming Cork's hurling squad

New Cork manager pleased with effort and attitude as late Cunningham penalty secures narrow Munster league win

THE WAY FORWARD: Cork manager Ben O'Connor in Mallow on Monday night. Pic: Natasha Barton, Inpho

Ben O’Connor was fulsome in his praise after a largely experimental Cork side pipped Clare in the Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league in Mallow on Monday, 1-18 to 0-20. It marked a first win for the new manager and significantly it was achieved without any of the starters from last July’s All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary.

A 1-10 return from Ben Cunningham included a converted penalty a minute from time after towering forward Alan Walsh won a high delivery and was fouled. With Clare leading up to this juncture, the only goal of the hour proved to be a game-changer.