U-21 hurlers have style and substance
Diarmuid Sheehan reflects on Cork’s win over Wexford and believes it’s no coincidence that they and the senior team are improving in tandem
CORK’S hugely impressive victory over Wexford in the U-21 All-Ireland semi-final last weekend hasn’t exactly sent shockwaves through the game of hurling – well it hardly would when you consider one of the most exciting All-Ireland Senior Championships is still unresolved, but last Saturday’s win could easily become the moment that Cork hurling stood up and shouted “Look out world we are on the way back”.
Cork’s demise in Croker, now a couple of weeks past, was seen by many as highlighting just what Cork are lacking but six days later Denis Ring’s charges stood tall in Nowlan Park and simply blew away a Wexford side that looked well up for the challenge of a national semi-final.
All managers will tell you that semis are there to win, with style and performance taking a back seat to the importance of the result, and while that was also the case last weekend for Ring and his team, Cork managed to put together all three as they romped to the All-Ireland final in some style.
Cork did everything right on Saturday and while Wexford didn’t bring the game that they would have hoped credit must also go to Cork for the way they hassled, harried and subdued the Leinster men all over the pitch.
Cork never diverted from their game plan, even long after the result was put beyond doubt as the men in red kept powering forward which will give Ring a great headache trying to pick a first 15 for the show-piece game.
Some will want this result to be put into perspective, a competition for young adults, not quite minor but a long way from senior, but in truth the U-21s is a significant grade that has serious implications for a county’s chances going forward.
Cork have struggled at this grade for two decades, in fact it is that long since they won this particular title, at the same time Cork have struggled at senior – you don’t need to be in Mensa to see a correlation. Now Cork are a force at U-21 and their seniors are back at the top table, again the parallels are striking. Hardly a coincidence then.
The U-21s give more than an indication of the players that have emerged from school, the leaving cert and the minors still in love with
In truth the Under-21s is a significant grade that has serious implications for a county’s chances going forward
the game and the grade shines a serious light on those that are likely to play for the county for the next decade or so. Cork, unlike other teams were able to call upon eight of the panel that played in the senior All-Ireland semi-final the previous week and while all would have been still hurting both physically and mentally from the trials of that day at headquarters all rose yet again to the challenge of the U-21s.
Household names inside and outside Cork like Mark Coleman, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Shane Kingston all played their part last weekend as Cork rocked past Wexford in expert fashion.
Robbie O’Flynn is now back to his best after suffering a serious concussion at the start of the Munster championship while Tim O’Mahony from Newtownshandrum continues to impress. O’Mahony’s league campaign for the main side was impressive but his cameos for Cork in the cut and trust of Munster gave little time to shine. Again, last weekend the hugely talented, versatile player’s eye for scores was on show with 2-2 from play with his overall contribution on and off the ball worthy of a Man of the Match award.
Declan Dalton is another player with a bright future and another eight points (six from frees) will see his stock rise even further as we head to the showpiece fixture.
Jack O’Connor was another senior to impress again last week as the Sarsfields man continues to carve out a very credible name for himself.
In truth Cork have a star-studded side considering the grade and they were expected to brush aside Wexford last weekend so there were few shocked with the result – that said, you still have to do your work and the questions coming into the game about how those stars would be affected by the previous week’s disappointment were what stood in their way – and thankfully for the Rebel county it appeared that the ill effects were minimal – another good sign for the future.
Of course, the All-Ireland Final will be another step up for this Cork side and the opposition will care little for the trials and tribulations that Cork have been through since 1998 – the year Cork last won this crown.
Cork will need pace, power and more importantly than anything else, confidence, heading into the biggest game in many of these players short careers. Cork’s hurling future is bright, of that there is no doubt, and while the seniors are continuing to push forward there are a host of places likely to come up in their squad next year – and that is where these U-21 players will ultimately be looking.
Can this side win the All Ireland? Most certainly yes. An impressive side with a serious scoring threat and plenty scalps already under their belts, Cork really are the side to beat this year. The last weekend in August will tell the tale of whether Cork are the dominant force at U21 or not. Should be a cracker.