Hurlers beat Waterford to secure place in Division 1A
Reflects on a good day for Cork hurling and the Cork hurling manager John Meyler
ROM small acorns, mighty oak trees grow. Well that is what they say anyway. Last Sunday in front of a sizable enough crowd of a few thousand brave souls who felt obliged to support Cork’s hurlers all the way to the gates of relegation play-off hell Cork finally clicked.
Perhaps it was the desperation, the embarrassment or just sheer bloody mindedness, but Cork got to finish their league campaign the way they started it – on the front foot.
Cork came into the game with Waterford in Páirc Uí Rinn last Sunday on a hiding to nothing.
If they lost then most would have said I told you so. If they won well it would have been a case of I told you so, but what happened kind of straddled both.
Cork should never have been where they ended up – particularly after seeing off the old enemy (Kilkenny) in round one. The red machine should have been able to push on, but four losses on the bounce meant that this particular incarnation of a Cork hurling side was firmly with its back to the wall.
Discussions about whether getting relegated in the league means that much would be kept for a different day as all would agree that relegation is hardly the best way to prepare for championship – particularly if that relegation came thanks to five losses on the bounce.
Cork took the bull by the horns last Sunday. They came out fighting and showed plenty all over the field. Whether the drawing board was thrown out or not for this one we will have to wait and see, but relegation playoff games are for winning – not for ideals and virtues. The result is everything and that really was all that matters.
Cork showed great heart, great determination and terrific fight. They showed that the more physical side is not necessarily the winner. They showed the importance of being able to hit the ground running in both halves and the imperative that is striking back fast when you have conceded.
The first 10 minutes summed up what Cork have in spades. An ability to score from almost anywhere with a range of scorers that really is too difficult to manage all at one. Cork’s midfield pairing of Darragh Fitzgibbon and Bill Cooper took this game to Waterford and the Deise men just couldn’t handle them.
Cork were everywhere. The passed the ball long and short with accuracy, ran well for each other and hassled the opposition into a series of mistakes that helped keep the Cork ship on
course for victory.
Anthony Nash’s puck outs were more strategic and accurate than the weekend before which meant that Cork players rarely ran out of road. The Cadogans, Eoin and Alan, battled hard at either end of the field with both getting plenty change from their markers, while centre-back Tim O’Mahony was in my eyes the star of the show once more.
O’Mahony has surely now nailed down a berth at centre-back for the upcoming championship however he is unlikely to take anything for granted as the competition for places heats up as returning stars flex their muscles.
Cork’s defensive pack did well against a Waterford side that had seven or their front eight on the score sheet.
The only moment of madness came from Colm Spillane early in the game when he conceded a penalty.
Other than that, the Cork rearguard showed there is plenty to work with, particularly with Eoin Cadogan (full-back), O’Mahony (centre-back) behind what looks to be a solid midfield of Cooper and Fitzgibbon.
Mark Coleman also did well enough at wing-back with his partner in crime on the other wing Christopher Joyce showing he too has the height for the fight.
While Cork’s passion and togetherness were the main positives from last weekend the fact that the team were able to survive without a huge tally from Patrick Horgan must also be seen as a step forward.
Dean Brosnan, Fitzgibbon, Cooper and Kearney joined Horgan with more than one score which is something that this side has been criticised about in the past.
Cork manager John Meyler inherited a good bunch of players however they were far from the finished article.
Cork’s heroics in 2017 were never likely to just shift on to 2018 without some serious work so it would be a little bit disingenuous to the new leader to blame Cork’s slump in the league on him. Mark Coleman also did well enough at wingback with his partner in crime on the other wing Chris Joyce
Cork’s players and back-room team will need time to gel and while many would have felt going into last Sunday’s game that the two were poles apart, that view may well be different now.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer and one win doesn’t make a side world beaters, but after a tough league where ultimately this side survived, Cork should have learned lots about their upcoming championship competition and more importantly learned lots about themselves.
Not to lose division 1A status is a huge stepping stone from where to push on from and with the club county championship break now upon Cork there is plenty time to reflect for all parties – now is where the hard work will start.
John Meyler will need to get his first fifteen nailed down in his own mind and get them playing like he wants them to play. He will need to get his message out to all inside the inner circle and he will need to get all believing in whatever his vision is for Cork hurling.
The upcoming Munster Championship format will be new for all the participants. Gone will be the need to but more importantly than anything else will be consistency. There is no point winning every second game well only to lose the following weekend.
Cork will need to be steady, committed and more importantly than all else strong in their collective belief that they are following the correct path with clear goals in sight.