Cork hurling talking points: Three issues that cost the Rebels in Walsh Park

LAST Sunday’s game was a sticky one to say the least, and ultimately ended in a very disappointing result. It’s a feeling that has left the entire Cork fanbase feeling deflated and frustrated.

It was a must-win game, we all knew it.

Clare may have crumbled in the latter stages against Limerick, but they’ll be just as eager as Cork to bounce back next week – and it won’t be easy, even with home advantage.

We all know it should and could have been better on Sunday, but a lot of credit has to go to Waterford for the way they played. Dessie Hutchinson was aided by the concession of cheap frees from a Cork perspective, but he did well from placed balls.

Jamie Barron was outstanding in midfield, as was Calum Lyons in the forwards. No doubt the favourite tag had an impact on Cork, because they played as anything but.

The black and red cards were a big turning point in the game – from then on it was always going to be a monumental ask, and that’s where that abysmal first-half performance caught up to Pat Ryan’s side.

Had they played with the same conviction and structure in the latter half, it likely would have been an entirely different outcome.

SHOOTING 

Cork’s shooting in that first period was, to put it bluntly, woeful. It was made worse by how few chances the Rebels created, and how rash the forwards were as a whole with their decision-making. Horgan and Lehane had six wides between them in the first 35, more than the entire Waterford team in that half. 

The forwards were lethargic with their movement, and when they did find space, the passing from deep was hardly convincing.

It was really poor in all aspects, and we all feared would be costly.

In the end, it was, even after the shooting improved in the second half. Shane Barrett had his best Championship performance so far for Cork, and Alan Connolly was able to grow into the game. Robbie O’Flynn looked a threat too.

Cork have got to start taking their chances. Poor wides have cost this team far too often in the past few years, and now they’re already playing with their backs to the wall.

PUCK-OUTS 

It’s an issue that comes up again and again in these big games, but Cork must do better from their own puck-outs.

The blame doesn’t lie solely with Pa Collins – the forwards need to give him genuine options. Oftentimes Collins would go long, and a ball that was previously on would get picked up by a Waterford defender.

This happened one too many times, purely due to the fact the forwards took too long to move. The stats don’t lie in that regard, with Ryan’s side winning just 54% of their own puck-outs, compared to Waterford’s 66%.

It’s concerning, and it needs to change when Clare travel to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, because the Banner will be far more punishing. Like with Cork in front of goal, the puck-outs did improve in the second half, as did Cork’s overall passing play. Going low and hard in front of the likes of Connolly and O’Flynn, who had much more success when able to use pace to their advantage was key.

This has to be the focus for the management team against Clare. Play to your strengths. It’s textbook.

WORK-RATE 

On a more positive note, the work rate of the team can’t be called into question.

They gave everything to try and turn the game in their favour, and even while down to 13 men, Cork remained competitive. 

You can’t ask for much more when they’re already chasing the game at that point.

Connolly’s goal was outstanding and a reflection of his quality as a goalscorer. Hopefully the first of many Championship goals this year.

Darragh Fitzgibbon was on form and popped up with some excellent scores, and seeing Mark Coleman back in Rebel red was great to see. He’s had a long way back with injuries in the past year and a half, but he is an invaluable member of the team.

Seán O’Donoghue was Cork’s best player in my opinion, and the job he did on Hutchinson was pivotal. He allowed the Waterford forward to a single point from play, and only conceded that when Cork were down to 14. Tommy O’Connell and Ger Millerick gave everything in the latter stages, while the forwards really upped the tempo in an attempt to isolate the Waterford defenders, but it just didn’t come off in the end.

Those few promising signs have to be praised, but Cork need to drastically improve, and quickly.