Rebel boss hails new wave of hurling talent
CORK U17 hurling boss John Considine was loud in his praise for the players who captured the first ever Munster title at that level in the Fraher Field.
Cork had a seven-point winning margin over Waterford to get their hands on a trophy, which was brought in for this season to cover the fact minor officially drops to U17 from next year. Having previously beaten Limerick and Tipperary, Considine believed that they were worthy champions.
“We are delighted, it was a super win although Waterford made it extremely difficult for us out there tonight.
“You must remember they are 16- and 17-year-old players and it’s hard at times to explain to them that every game is different.
“We played very well against Tipperary, excellent really but you have to try and do that in the next game too."
Cork had many fine individual performances in Dungarvan last night with McCarthy top scoring with 2-1.
Na Piarsaigh’s Daire Connery excelled too with a haul of four points while Colin O’Brien and Tommy O’Connell also made important scoring contributions in the 3-12 to 1-13 victory.
“No two games are the game but I was delighted there in the end. We played against the wind in the first-half and got a good start before Waterford came at us.’’
Cork were just a point in arrears at the break and went on to complete the job in the second-half, particularly in the final 10 minutes when two goals from Inniscarra’s Owen McCarthy were secured.
“We steadied it down in the second half, got the goals that we needed and just saw it out. It was a tough campaign, three games, two away from home and I could have no complaints at all.
“They are learning all the time and now, hopefully, we will be better again the next day but you’d have to be pleased with how it has gone for us up to now and they are a great bunch to work with.’’
Cork will now play Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final further on in the season with the minors now taking centre-stage next Wednesday against Waterford.
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