Alan Connolly says tackles not tallies the priority now for Cork forwards

Clare's Adam Hogan tussles with Alan Connolly of Cork. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Eleven points was Alan Connolly’s haul  in his Páirc Uí Chaoimh backyard on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a sizable matchday contribution that equalled what he produced at the same venue four weeks earlier against Limerick. The same tally was also offered up by Connolly in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final destruction of the Dubs.

The 3-2 of last July has very little in common with the 1-8 of last month or the 0-11 of last weekend. Nearly all they have in common is what they add up to.

The 2025 All-Ireland semi-final hat-trick came dripping in silk and sublime artistry. The displays of 2026 are more about substance and rolled sleeves. It is more than just free-taking responsibilities Alan Connolly has built into his game this season.

His role in helping to rob Will O’Donoghue of possession for the Shane Barrett goal that unshackled Cork from their dominated state against Limerick last month was a snapshot of Connolly’s improved work ethic.

There were many more snapshots against Clare on Sunday. He was fouled for a pair of converted frees, he hooked Cathal Malone, he pressured Adam Hogan out over the South Stand sideline, he blocked down Hogan at a later turn, he won the break on a Clare puckout, and was again way, way out from his inside line station when collecting a Patrick Collins pass for a play that finished with a Diarmuid Healy point.

Imparting impression exclusively on the scoresheet is not enough on Ben O’Connor’s watch.

“Look, to be honest, I don't really care about the scoring. None of us do as forwards. It's more about workrate, tackles and turnovers now,” Connolly said following the 16-point dismissal of Clare.

“That's all we'll be looking at when we look back on it. It won't be about who scored what, who was man of the match or anything like that. There are no individuals here. We just want a good team effort.

“I think all of us are working really hard this year, and it starts from up top with me, Hayes and William in the last few games, as well as the lads who are coming in and adding to that.

“The backs are flying as well. They're putting in tackles, and I don't even know how they're doing it. Even in the heat, they were tracking back and getting hooks and blocks and last-man tackles. It's unbelievable to see and it drives everyone else on.” 

Cork's Alan Connolly ahead of the clash with Clare. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Connolly’s new inside colleague Wiliam Buckley, in the four championship appearances the Barrs youngster has clocked since mid-April, has certainly struck that sweet spot between flag-raising and ferocious pressure when out of possession.

In the final minute of injury-time, and progression to the Munster final long since secured, there was Buckley charging down a Cian Galvin pass.

“William is an unbelievable player. He's been in and around the panel over the last couple of years and it's great to see him getting his run now,” Connolly continued.

“And when you look at the bench, there are other lads who can do the same role and there are lads who can replace me and Hayes as well. It's great to see and it brings a serious challenge in training.

“We have a great panel, even though we're missing loads. We were missing Robbie [O’Flynn], Fitzy, and Joycey was obviously at home. We kind of dedicated the game to him. He couldn't make it today because he was in too much pain. But we have lads who can fill in. It's next man up and lads are going well.” 

The 1-30 to 1-14 result extended to 12 games and 743 days Cork’s unbeaten home run at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Sunday’s opponents, Clare, remain the last county to land down on Leeside and leave with the spoils. That was the 2024 Munster round-robin defeat that put Cork on the brink of an extremely early summer exit. The subsequent stunning of Limerick at the same venue a fortnight later began the still ongoing sequence.

Navigating Limerick on Munster final afternoon is required to stretch the run to 13 games.

“You want to win every game, whether it's home, away or neutral. Obviously, the crowd in the Páirc is unbelievable, but it's also unbelievable when we go to Thurles, Croke Park, anywhere, like Tullamore a few years ago. We want to win every game.

“Playing a Munster final down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh is the kind of thing you dream, of so we're really looking forward to it.”