'Once they are true to the ideals of Cork hurling they'll keep the show on the road'

LIAM MARTIN agrees that when this group of young Cork hurlers hit their stride they are a sight to behold.

The Glen man knows better than most just how exciting Shane Kingston, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Mark Coleman and co are. He stepped up to work as a selector at U21 level with Denis Ring, Johnny Dwyer, Fergus Ryan and John Mortell, having served with them for four years at minor.

After a stuttering opening to the U21 campaign this summer against Waterford, Cork have ripped through Tipp and Wexford to reach a first All-Ireland final in 20 years at the grade.

“It was about the performance in Nowlan Park. We wanted the lads to go out and do themselves justice. We know there’s a lot of talent in this squad of players, and I wouldn’t use the word ‘team’ because there is significant talent and depth and we saw that in glorious evidence.

“If they enjoy their hurling and are true to the ideals of Cork hurling, they’ll keep the show on the road and that’s exactly what they did.”

Even if those starting for John Meyler’s senior team are the best U21s, the demolition of Wexford was very much a team display with no one going for glory. 

“A lot of these fellas are playing together a long time, going back to U14. While the absence of the senior players, who had a huge commitment all summer with the senior, could have been an issue, it came together. Now we were a small bit deficient up to now in team play and seeing the right thing but that was because they hadn’t been together at training. Especially against Waterford that was a problem. Hopefully, we can improve again on that for the final.”

Looking towards 2018 and beyond, Cork are looking for ball-winners up front.

Robbie O’Flynn, Declan Dalton and Tim O’Mahony literally put their hands up for that role.

“They can win their own ball which is the crucial thing, especially given they have the skill and the class to go with it.

“Tim can play in a lot of positions. He’s excellent in defence but we knew him from minor and his club as a very good attacker. Getting Man of the Match copperfastens that he is a focal point for us.

“He can win puck-outs, put himself about, but he can also hurl. There’s still room in this game for a big guy in the forwards to win and break ball. He’s good enough that he can finish it as well.”

The Rebels’ bench has been impressive and could be needed if Dalton misses the final against Galway or Tipp with a knee injury, none more so than Conor Cahalane.

"In any other year Conor would be one of the first names on the team sheet. We’re fortunate really that the talent is incredible at midfield and in the half-forward line and a lot of them are on the senior panel. In any other era he’d be playing but he’s still made a massive contribution off the bench in every game. That’s not to say he might not start the final. He hit four magnificent points and his attitude has been exemplary. He trains so well and carries himself well around the dressing room.”

Cahalane was on the fringes of the panel at minor, while Billy Hennessy only came on as a sub.

“The huge difference between us and so of the minor teams from three years ago is that our fellas have got the bit between their teeth and driven on. The strength and conditioning programmes have clearly been a factor but great credit must go to Kieran Kingston and John Meyler, and the people behind the scenes, for how they’ve developed them.

“Everyone is pushing Cork hurling on an upward curve and there are various incentives there for the best young hurlers in the county.”

Martin said the attitude of the marquee players was exceptional when they joined back up with the U21s after the loss to Limerick.

“They were gutted but on Monday evening they were back in the Mardyke Arena for a recovery session with us and they were back in again at training on Tuesday. They’re young players but already they’re great servants to Cork hurling. They really want to push their shoulder to the wheel and they have a focus on this U21 championship.”

Having been involved in a minor All-Ireland defeat last year, the management are eager to take lessons from that day on board.

“Last year our preparation was stunted by injuries to Evan Sheehan, Brian Turnbull and James Keating. It’s important for Cork hurling that we push on and win this and hopefully we’ll get a bit of understanding from clubs.”

A number of players are on duty between here and Sunday, with senior back-door clashes, intermediate ties and two U21 matches on the fixture list. From then it's a clear run to the All-Ireland final.