Out of their own hands
Cork’s task all the harder and two points from the home side in the last 20 minutes bear that out.
When Cork did bring on an extra forward, Mike Cahalane for Conor O’Sullivan, it was too late to change the course of the game – Cork needed a goal by that stage and no real chances were created.
If Cork had had 15 men for the whole game, we could be here talking about how they had bounced back well from two straight defeats, but it’s easy to deal in what-ifs. Maintaining discipline is a very important trait too and while Harnedy’s dunt on Barry Coughlan was most unlike him, as the team captain he’ll be disappointed with how he reacted.
He will definitely miss Sunday’s game in Thurles and possibly the next one, whether it’s a relegation play-off or a league quarter-final, if he’s given a two-game ban (not known at the time of writing). Factor in Lehane’s likely absence and it severely blunts the edge of the Despite getting a goal early on against Kilkenny, Shane Kingston hasn’t imposed himself in the way you would have hoped he would
Cork forward division.
The one saving grace is that this opens up opportunities for others, and a game like this weekend’s one will be, you would expect, at more of a championship pitch – both in terms of intensity and the quality of the grass, as Páirc Uí Chaoimh left a lot to be desired last weekend.
Despite getting a goal early on against Kilkenny, Shane Kingston hasn’t imposed himself in the way you would hope he would in his second season, but of course it’s still early days.
His Douglas clubmate Alan Cadogan found it hard to escape the clutches of Noel Connors last week but he has performed consistently up until now and deserves a one-off pass. When he is on form, it takes the scoring pressure off Horgan while at the same time he draws plenty of frees which Horgan can convert.
Luke Meade is also being used sparingly while Mike Cahalane has been dogged with injuries and so hasn’t had much game-time.
Robbie O’Flynn is still finding his intercounty feet, but a game like this Sunday’s could help to bring Cork on.
Tipp are also in danger of being caught in the relegation quagmire so neither side will be going through the motions. After a good win over previous table-toppers Wexford, Tipp lost out narrowly to Kilkennny after a classic last weekend, but classics are of no use to the beaten side.
They need to win to guarantee safety and a last-eight spot, so do Cork but without the certainty of being masters of their own destiny. With scoring difference to make up, it’s a great chance for Cork to try to post a score – a repeat of the 2-27 in the Munster quarter-final last year would be welcome, if perhaps a bit optimistic for this time of year.
While the 1-20 allowed by Waterford last week wasn’t parsimonious on Cork’s part, it was still less than they scored in their three Munster games last year – and Waterford scored more than both Wexford and Clare did in beating Cork.
Tallies of 1-14, 0-19 and 1-15 won’t win many hurling games nowadays and Cork must effect a serious upping of output on the scoreboard if they are to avoid getting caught in the relegation play-off.