CONSISTENCY IS NOW A KEY CONCERN FOR THE CORK HURLERS
Diarmuid Sheehan Cork need to be showing the level of performance they gave last weekend consistently
LAST weekend we got to see a Cork hurling side that yet again look to be heading in the right direction. We saw a side that were capable of mixing up with the best in the business, a side that looked comfortable on the ball and a side that rallied, rather than buckled, when the pressure came on.
Before I get too far ahead of myself and you throw the ‘it’s only the first weekend in February’ at me, I know it is still very early in the season and I know that Tipp only had six of the same starters that took to the field in last year’s All Ireland final, but a win is a win is a win and that cannot and should not be forgotten.
For far too long, Cork have started the season poorly, expecting that things would pick up later in the season only to discover, to their cost, that playing well isn’t a tap that can be turned on and off at will.
Playing well comes from a having a winning mentality, along with practice, commitment and of course skill with the latter surprisingly enough often seen as last on that particular list of attributes.
Cork came into last weekend’s clash with Tipp desperate for a win, not that you would know that from the post-match comments from a very restrained Kieran Kingston, but they did really need to win, particularly after coming up short to Waterford the previous weekend.
Cork needed the win more for the feeling than for the spoils and particularly considering the game was played at home, under lights, with almost 10,000 fans in the stands and of course it was on the TV.
Cork needs to show that it can compete at this level and last Saturday night we got just a glimpse to suggest that maybe they can, but here is where the stumbling block often rears its ugly head. Of course, Cork can beat Tipp.
They have been doing it for over a century, but what they haven’t being doing in recent years is backing it up or for that matter, backing up any series of good performances with more. In other words it’s all about consistency and consistency is key to the winning of any campaign.
Cork have been a side that on their day can beat anyone. They can knock the most seasoned
challenger off their stride yet come a cropper seven days later to an opponent with far less credentials.
Cork should be pleased with most facets of their game last Saturday night. Their strong bench made an impact, their seasoned players in the main delivered and players like Alan Cadogan and Robbie O’Flynn impressed.
Cork need to find a solid back seven and against Tipp we saw something approaching that. Patrick Collins was good between the sticks however Anthony Nash will surely remain between the sticks for a while yet. Colm Spillane, Seán O’Donoghue and Robert Downey looked solid at the back with the latter really showing his worth at the heart of the defensive set.
Tim O’Mahony’s shift was short lived but looked well capable again at this level. The much-maligned Damien Cahalane was better than I have seen in a while, even if he still needs to work on staying focussed for the duration.
Harnedy looks injured, Luke Meade was good with O’Flynn imperious throughout. Kanturk’s Aidan Walsh is a player that can often struggle to fit in on a pitch but for the 20 or so minutes he played against Tipp he did much more than that, he was positively on it. Right up at the front Cark are strong with Alan Cadogan giving a near masterclass of how to turn and burn your man while Patrick Horgan was again on form and busy as always with that killer blow from placed balls.
Cork have plenty players to come back in yet and we saw Darragh Fitzgibbon and Mark Coleman doing just that after the break last time out.
Both looked fresh and up for the challenge. Fitzgibbon in particular shone after his introduction and the Charleville man is fast becoming a shoe in as one of the first names on the team sheet and definitely that
Cork need to perform for the rest of the league. They need to beat Westmeath well, stay close to Limerick
will be the case after the college competition (Fitzgibbon) has come to an end.
Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston are another pairing that will be hunting starting 15 places and both are well capable of making their mark but as of now nothing has been decided, nothing has been proved and nothing has been won. It’s a big few months for this cork squad and the management team that are tasked with guiding them through the challenges ahead.
In another week, we will get to see can Cork back up their heroics in the Park last weekend with another solid display, but a win away to Westmeath is hardly likely to shake the doubters from the trees anytime soon. That said, a poor display will bring those not yet on the Kieran Kingston bandwagon rushing out to comment.
Cork need to perform for the rest of the league. They need to beat Westmeath well, stay close or beat Limerick and finally see off a Galway side that seem a little off the boil right now.
Cork don’t need to win the league this season but they do need to be showing improvement from game to game. They need to stay above a level that is acceptable to the faithful, otherwise this will be another disappointing season.