Cork football top scorers: Chris Óg Jones has emerged as a key foil to Brian Hurley

IT was no surprise to see Cork captain Brian Hurley finish the league as the Rebels' top scorer.

Turning 32 next week, Hurley, like hurling sharpshooter Patrick Horgan, remains a reliable outlet in attack and is as fit and hard-working as ever. He clipped 0-24 across the seven matches, and nine of those points were from play.

What was more encouraging for John Cleary and his selectors was Chris Óg Jones' development as a dynamic foil for Hurley, as well as Conor Corbett's impressive efforts in recent weeks. Jones tallied 2-15, all from play, while Corbett managed 2-6 from play, as well as a mark and a sideline, despite injury issues early in the campaign.

Jones was a promising underage player but really pushed on in 2021, kicking 5-37 for Iveleary lifted the county, following up his Man of the Match in the Junior A decider with the same accolade at Premier Junior level. After establishing himself as a Cork senior on the back of that, he's matured this spring into a key scoring threat.

Corbett's brilliance was flagged up when he spearheaded Cork's minor All-Ireland triumph in 2019 and only a cruciate injury halted his progress since.

Previously linked with a switch to Aussie Rules, the Clyda club man is poised for a breakout inter-county championship.

The management are content to utilise Steven Sherlock as a finisher rather than a starter and while that's no doubt been frustrating for the Barrs man, he's excellent in that deployment. Swinging the Meath game recently and narrowly missing a winning shot against Armagh.

Cork, like all counties, want a blend of scorers, workers and speedsters. Brian O'Driscoll and Colm O'Callaghan each chipped with 0-8 over the seven games, while defenders Luke Fahy, Tommy Walsh and Maurice Shanley, crucially up in Fermanagh, raided from deep to grab goals.

The major pity is that Cathail O'Mahony and Damien Gore have been dogged by injuries, having been the primary scorers for the 2019 All-Ireland U20 winners. Killian O'Hanlon, a ball-winning half-forward outlet, is injured again after coming off against Armagh, while playmaker Blake Murphy opted out of the panel due to lack of game-time.

CORK LEAGUE SCORERS:

Brian Hurley 0-24 (0-15 f);

Chris Óg Jones 2-15;

Conor Corbett 2-8 (0-1 sl, 0-1 mark);

Brian O'Driscoll 0-8;

Colm O'Callaghan 0-8;

Steven Sherlock 0-8 (0-5 f, 0-1 mark);

Mark Cronin 0-7 (0-2 45, 0-2 f);

Luke Fahy 1-2;

Eoghan McSweeney 1-2;

Mattie Taylor 0-4;

Tommy Walsh 1-1;

Maurice Shanley 1-1;

Ian Maguire 0-3;

Seán Powter 0-1;

Kevin Flahive 0-1;

Rory Maguire 0-1;

Patrick Doyle 0-1 (45);

Paul Walsh 0-1 (m).