Hard to gauge where Rebels are at after league
Diarmuid Sheehan takes a look back at the Rebels’ Division 1A campaign and finds that hard conclusions can’t really be drawn
ORK may have well finished with two wins in their last three games – against Limerick and Kilkenny no less, however what can we really tell about the season so far and what can the Rebel fans look forward to as their beloved senior hurlers head into one of the most important Munster championships in many years.
Cork head into this season’s provincial round robin looking to bag their third title on the bounce however there is little doubting that this will be the toughest race in years as the likes of Tipperary, Waterford and Clare have all shown they are much improved on last year while Limerick look to be still on the charge as they seek to first win Munster before then retaining the national crown.
From Cork’s standpoint, the 2019 league will be seen as a mixed bag with some positives, negatives and plenty talking points for fans to get their teeth into.
HIGH POINT
Cork’s start to the league could hardly be described as impressive with a pair of early losses, but there is no doubting that their win over Limerick on the banks of the Shannon was the main plus from this particular campaign.
Cork’s doggedness during the game was impressive and the way they fought back when it looked like the All Ireland champions had reeled them in was the main plus from a day that had many positives for the Rebels.
LOW POINT
Avoid the beach battle with Wexford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (which was a bad day all round for the county) and it is hard not to look at the loss to Tipperary on the last of the scheduled rounds as the big downer in this season’s league.
Cork came into that game with genuine hopes of securing a playoff place but when they would ultimately be despatched with ease by a Tipp side that had showed little to that point. Cork were really poor on a day that they had the chance to shine and that lack of competitiveness when it mattered will concern fans and management alike.
STAND OUT PLAYER
Patrick Horgan seems to always be the one on everyone’s lips as he continues to rack up huge personal tallies from both play and placed balls. Horgan has been clinical throughout the league and has carried Cork’s scoring challenge to all comers.
There were other credible displays with Conor Lehane, Aidan Walsh and Newtownshandrum’s Tim O’Mahony all doing really well with the latter surely playing himself into a starting berth at number six.
All that said, Cork are not the same without Horgan and his participation going forward is integral to Cork’s chances of success.
MANAGER’S PERFORMANCE
John Meyler has been working hard to bring his Cork side on from last year’s All Ireland semi-final defeat and this season’s league campaign was Meyler’s first real opportunity to see where his side were at.
Meyler has gone deep to bring in some strength in depth with Aidan Walsh, Cormac Murphy and Eoin Cadogan all convinced to return to the hurling panel.
Meyler has also brought in Dan Dooley and Robert Downing with both doing well in win over Limerick. Last year really was a free shot for the manager after Kieran Kingston moved on but this is now Meyler’s team and he will be judged on what happens this season.
NEW BLOOD
Well, there is new and a kind of new and Cork have managed to bring in both. Last year the county saw the likes of Shane Kingston, Mark Coleman, Luke Meade, Dean Brosnan,Colm Spillane, Michael Spillane, and Darragh Fitzgibbon all making strides with most of them making
a serious impact on the main championship panel.
This year Dan Dooley and Robert Downing have come in to add fresh blood to the party while the other strand of new sees Aidan Walsh, Cormac Murphy and Eoin Cadoganback – new but not so new if you get my drift.
Cork have added to the panel that was found short against Limerick last year however now those players need to show they can play a part.
All five played in this year’s league, all showed well and most should see further action in the coming months, the question is will any make the starting 15?
LONG TERM VIEW
Really difficult to call right now. If you asked that question after losing to Wexford at home in Round 2 of the league the answer would have been sliding down the negative route however now, after beating Limerick and taking out Kilkenny in the relegation play-off game there is a sense of positivity and perhaps even optimism around Meyler’s second season.
Cork need to work hard if they are to win another Munster crown however to get out of the province with a good draw might be enough to keep the doubters quite for another year at least.
This year Dan Dooley and Robert Downing have come in to add fresh blood to the party