Nothing on the line in play-off
Kilkenny v Cork
SOMETIMES it is difficult to assess how things are going in the middle of a campaign however few could argue at this point that Cork’s hurlers are ticking all the boxes.
Of course, it is still March and it is still ‘just the league, but coming in last after five games could hardly be regarded as a positive when along the way you have managed to see off the All Ireland champions.
Cork came into this league with plenty to prove and a plan in place to blood some new talent and credit to manager John Meyler it would be fair to say that we have seen some new blood as well as a trio of serious returning talent.
Players of the calibre of Cormac Murphy, Aidan Walsh and Stephen McDonnell have all come back to the fold helping bolster John Meyler’s hand with the likes of Robert Downey and Dan Dooley getting call ups to shine in recent games.
Meyler isn’t the type of man to throw the baby out with the bathwater and the manager that helped steer Cork to an All-Ireland semi-final last season would rather
NHL Division 1A
Cork (PO) 5 2 0 3 be looking at, than looking for players, particularly after coming up short with his bench the previous year.
Meyler wants a big squad and thanks to the five names mentioned along with Alan Cadogan’s return it would be fair to say that the 2019 version of his championship team should be stronger than the one pipped by Limerick in Croker last season.
Cork began their league campaign with a trip to Kilkenny and they will end it in the same way with Nowlan
Park hosting this weekend’s Division 1A relegation clash.
Kilkenny were really good in their opening league fixture against Cork and were well worth their win. The Cats were pipped by the minimum by a
Clare side showing promise before a heavy defeat at home to
Limerick sent the black and amber reeling for cover.
A good win over Tipperary PWDLDiff Pts -18 4 followed before losing out to Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford sent them up for another clash with the old foe, Cork.
For the men in red losing their opening two fixtures to Kilkenny and Wexford respectively was the worst start that Meyler’s men could have wished for however a brace of wins against first Clare and then the All Ireland champions Limerick raised the spectre of a belated push for a play-off place, but in the end a hugely disappointing loss to Tipperary last weekend sent Cork bottom of the table. This weekend Cork will look to finish with a bang with nothing more than pride and a position in one of the For the men in red losing their opening two fixtures to Kilkenny and Wexford was the worst start
two top flight divisions in the 2020 competition to play for. Meyler gave Darren Browne a start at the back in their last game and may well give the Kanturk man another go this time round.
Damien Cahalane came back to full-back after sitting out the win over Limerick with Eoin Cadogan moving up to wing back from his previous start at full-back. Cadogan looked solid at number three however the manager looks set to stick with Cahalane at the pivotal position in front of Anthony Nash.
Christopher Joyce, Tim O’Mahony and the return of Mark Coleman may well provide the half back line with O’Mahony deserving of the number six jersey for the upcoming Championship.
In the middle, the question of whether Murphy and Bill Cooper will get another chance to shine is a major one for the manager as Darragh Fitzgibbon gets ever closer to making a return to competitive action.
Conor Lehane will again get a chance to shine as should captain Seamus Harnedy. Dooley has managed to start each of the last two games and would love another go to settle into the senior rebel side.
Alan Cadogan won’t get to play this weekend after picking up an injury against Tipperary, but Patrick Horgan and Aidan Walsh should hold their places for another crack at the side that beat them on day one.
Luke Meade and Shane Kingston will hope to make some impact this weekend with at least one of the pairing bound to get a call up. Downey and Jack O’Connor may well both feature at some stage as Cork look to give as many players competitive action before they head back to their clubs for a month of club action.
A win will be on both managers’ minds as they bring their sides to play, but the performance, and a last chance to blood players before the cut and thrust of championship will be top of the wish list.
It’s hard to see past the home side as they prepare for Leinster, but if Cork can hold the line at the back then they have a chance. There will be plenty eyes on Cahalane at the back and Lehane up front as Cork look to settle into something like a winning formula.