The case for Michael Hurley being recalled to the Cork football squad

FOR Sarsfields’ Cathal McCarthy in the Premier Senior Hurling Championship read Castlehaven’s Michael Hurley in the football.

Both players ended up being the dominant headline makers for their respective clubs in both their semi-final and final triumphs, with McCarthy scoring 0-5 and 0-4 in the wins over Imokilly and Midleton, while Hurley bagged 0-7 and 0-5 in the Haven’s historic triumphs over city giants St Finbarr’s and Nemo Rangers.

What was significant about these totals is that only one of those scores was not from play, as Hurley slotted a point from a mark against the Barrs. Talk about coming good when it matters!

Such a dazzling display from the Haven man meant that the inevitable ‘ Michael Hurley for Cork’ headlines would soon follow.

Back in 2019, he was utilised as an impact sub for Cork in the Super Eight campaign, with the Castlehaven marksman's searing pace in Croke Park making a mark against Dublin and Tyrone, in particular. He came on in the 56th minute against Dublin, replacing his brother Brian, and kicked two points as Cork briefly threatened a shock before a late flood of goals meant that Dublin eventually won by a comfortable 13-point margin.

ELECTRIC

Against Tyrone he again replaced a clubmate, coming on for Mark Collins in the 52nd minute, and proceeded to torment the Tyrone defence, kicking four splendid points on the run, even if Cork ended up coming up short by three.

He had the same deployment against Kerry and Tipperary in the 2020 championship, and kicked two points in Cork’s thrashing at the hands of Kerry in the 2021 Munster decider, but has not featured for the Rebels in championship combat since.

Injuries played a part in his absence since, but at 27 he is now in his prime, and it seems a no-brainer that he should re-join the Cork football panel after his championship-winning heroics.

If Cork are going to get back to the top table they will need to have at least four real top-quality scoring forwards starting every game, with another three or four coming on late when games loosen up. Even if Hurley was to be one of those impact players, then having someone of his ability coming on could be the difference between winning and losing big matches.

Most players naturally dislike the notion of being a ‘super sub’, but there is a lot to be said for being the guy who closes out big games.

Jack McCaffrey, Niall Scully and Dean Rock have six, five and eight All-Ireland medals each, respectively, yet they were happy coming off the bench this year to help Dublin beat Kerry in this year’s All-Ireland final.

We’re not comparing any Cork footballer with players with such medal hauls, but in an era where the game is now essentially a twenty-man game, the quality of players wearing numbers 16 to 20 can be crucial, and as Michael Hurley is easily one of the best 20 footballers in Cork, if not in the top 15 outright, his Cork recall is more than justified.