Cork display was as close to perfect as one will witness

MOST PEOPLE know that I do analysis on radio from time to time and I always welcome feedback from listeners in my constant pursuit of perfection (something I know will never be achieved).

Recently, I took time out during half-time of a broadcast to ring a good friend from home to get his impressions on the day’s play.

Sitting in his car (which was stationary at the time), the call was answered on hands free which transfers the call to the same speaker used by the radio.

Whilst discussing the game another friend of mine (still a friend) sat into the car and on hearing my voice assumed I was on radio.

He immediately commented ‘what bullshit is Dempsey talking today’ and was stuck to the ground when I replied to him.

I’ve always said if you want honest feedback the Alley is probably the most straight talking part of the county imaginable, although I believe the look on his face was priceless.

Saturday was a tough day in Nowlan Park and analysis of Wexford’s performance is not easy. The lead up to the game, given the loss of some star performers, was not ideal but it would be foolish not to acknowledge that in every aspect, and more or less in every position, Cork were the superior outfit.

Our lads never threatened to achieve the heights of the Galway display and Cork proceeded to give as close to perfect a performance as one will see.

From their puck-out strategy to their physicality both in the air and on the ground, they were awesome.

Apart from the skill levels, their forwards when in possession always went for the jugular, ensuring a very uncomfortable afternoon for our defence.

Their half-forward line played very deep towards their own goal, leaving huge space up front, and their midfielders and half-backs were radar-like with deliveries, leaving our defenders with the unenviable question of ‘should I stay or should I go’.

Two early goals despite the best efforts of Jack Cushe effectively rendered the game over after ten minutes, and in truth I was quite taken aback by the intensity of the Cork performance.

Saturday is a timely reminder that we need to be at the top of our game over the next few years with regards to our under-age coaching structure if we are to remain competitive.

Anyone that has ever put on a jersey has experienced a ‘nothing goes right day’ like Saturday and I have seen enough of this group of lads to say that they have the character to bounce back and many will represent the county at Senior level over the next few years. The Galway game will still be the hurling highlight of the year, so keep the faith lads.

To things locally, and the decision to fix club games that will see some players play twice in championship within a week of representing their county in a national semi-final is ridiculous.

It appears now that the club is entitled to no consideration or priority and as for player burn-out, I’m sure we will have the usual lip service paid to that next December and January when there’s nothing else to discuss.

I could write 20 articles on this subject, but surely the club deserves time to prepare and recover. If we don’t protect our club game, believe you me it will come back to bite us.

Finally, I note that some are taking exception to hurling people glorifying the beauty of the sport.

Sometimes I think we can go a little over the top but we have a short window this summer to promote the game and we must maximise our value promotion-wise.

After all, if it’s ok to refer to soccer as the beautiful game, surely it’s not pushing it too hard to say what we have seen this summer is exceptional and unique.

Our exposure is minimal compared to that of soccer, so keep promoting, Ken McGrath.