Pat Ryan keen to develop options in Cork squad

With a year under their belts, this Co-op SuperStores Munster Hurling League is more about refining the options available to the Cork management.

A year ago, Cork won the competition as a host of players were auditioned by newly-installed manager Pat Ryan and his selectors. While there is always the possibility of a bolter announcing themselves, the focus this time is about developing the squad and welcoming back key leadership figures.

“We’re very happy with the squad that we have,” Ryan says.

“Obviously, our job now is to get down into what’s your best 15, your best 22, your best 26 and coach them up into the way we want to play as best we can.

“That’s obviously a bit different to last year, where we wanted to get a look at everybody. 

We’ve a fair handle on the players that we have at the moment.

“Obviously, we have a couple of new fellas in that deserve to be looked at as they’re playing well in training and there are a few guys back too.

“Mark Coleman is a huge addition back to us, so is Alan Connolly, and they’ll improve as the year goes on.

“We had Seán and Darragh out a bit last year, so even having players like that around training alone is a great boost. It raises the standard of everyone.”

HECTIC

The postponement of last week’s game against Limerick in Mallow means a tighter schedule leading into the Allianz Hurling League, with that match now scheduled for Rathkeale next Wednesday.

“It was set up for us that you play the seventh and the 14th and then, if you won, you’d be in the final on the 21st,” Ryan says.

“That was probably an easier schedule to manage, whereas now we’re down to play the 14th, the 17th and maybe the 21st.

“Obviously, we just have to be cognisant that we have fellas playing Fitzgibbon as well on the 24th and 31st. It’ll be important to manage their game-time over the next few weeks – you’re hoping that they progress in the Fitzgibbon but then you’re in to the first two league games on the 4th and the 10th, in the middle of the Fitzgibbon knockout stages.”

That will take some balancing as management look to ensure players are not burned out. Those inter-varsity competitions can also benefit Cork too as players will be monitored and good performances for their colleges can only help their Cork cause.

“If a fella’s playing well with UCC or MTU, then that’s a big positive,” Ryan says.

“Obviously, Fitzgibbon is still a step off senior but it’s a very high grade at the same time. If you’re able to play well in that, it’s a good launchpad for making the senior squad.”