Disappointed Hayes makes case for change
DISAPPOINTMENT with the result but a sense of pride in the performance would be the best way to sum up Cork Under 20 Coach Sean Hayes’ thoughts after losing to Kerry in Austin Stack Park last Friday evening.
The Nemo Rangers clubman agreed that Kerry’s goals were crucial to their eventual win.
“It’s disappointing to have lost having been in contention for so long. We weren’t disappointed to have gone in level at halftime despite having led a couple of times because we knew that we would have the breeze in the second-half.
“We really needed a goal like they got though and that is something that we unfortunately couldn’t get,” the Cork Under 20 coach said.
Hayes felt that the side might have gone for goals a bit too early towards the end when taking points might have upset Kerry a small bit more, but wasn’t looking for form moral victories in reflecting on the game.
“The lads gave it everything especially in the first-half against the breeze and I’m very proud of that and we can take some pride about the future from that,” he said.
The squad picked this year was very much about the ‘here-and-now’ for the Under 20 set-up this although they are players who will still be in the Under 20 bracket for next year.
When asked for his reflections on the first year of the new Under 20 grade, Hayes expressed his annoyance at some of the restrictions placed on side’s preparations.
“I would have no issue with the drop in age, the timing of the competition is a big issue for me especially how it is right in the middle of the Leaving Cert and Third Level exams and how challenge games are forbidden at the weekend.
“Players doing exams can’t play in challenge matches at the start of the week and then the only time it would be feasible at the weekend they are prevented from doing so.
“I don’t understand how the GAA think that it is okay for a player to not do ‘after hour study’ for an exam at the start of the week to play a challenge match while at the weekend when they have a break from it isn’t allowed? Whereas Kerry played together we have been put together by these changes this year.”
Despite Cork’s loss, Hayes still is 3-2 up on Kerry in matches played between the two counties between the old and the new age grade, no small feat with Kerry’s overall success over the Rebels at present. MAIN MAN
Mark Keane and Chris Óg Jones deserve special mention for their efforts on the night for Cork but Kerry’s Stefan Okunbor was the stand-out player in the full-back line as he received the officialplaudits for his displayin repelling plenty of strong Rebel pressure.
KEY MOMENT
How Kerry responded to Dara Moynihan’s black card midway through the second period was a big factor. Had they let it get to them they might have lost out with Cork’s pressure starting to pile, but they started the course and got the necessary nerve to overcome that setback and seeing out proceedings for a three point win.
TALKING POINT
In the interests of player welfare it was totally the right decision to allow for breaks in play for water. While not aswarm as some of the other days in this present heatwave, a lot of humidity hung in the air and made it all the more difficult for the players as much as trying to take on their opposition.