Cork v Clare: I need to see several changes in personnel and tactics otherwise it'll be another loss
Mark Coleman of Cork, left, gathers possession ahead of teammate Damien Cahalane and Jack Prendergast of Waterford during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Waterford and Cork at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
THE interest in this clash was always going to be high, but Cork’s defeat to Waterford and Clare’s to Limerick gives this game so much more weight.
The loser of Cork v Clare is in real trouble.
Cork are certainly helped by the fact they’re playing at home, but unless they can get the supporters in red behind them, they will struggle to show something different from last week.
There’s no denying Waterford were outstanding both in a defensive and offensive capacity last week.
That goes to Davy Fitzgerald and his players – they completely shut down Cork’s game plan.
That team so fluid in transition, which scored some excellent goals in the league was nowhere to be found in Walsh Park.
In the league, Conor Lehane had impressed as a playmaker, the backs had been passing the ball around well and they were able to find those in the full-forward line at key moments, often leading to goalscoring opportunities.
It feels as though that was what Ryan was looking for again last week, but Waterford completely shut them down.
The backs were often stretched thin leaving gaps in behind, and in the first half Cork just couldn’t find a way to pick out those in the full-forward line. Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan were completely starved of service.
That has to change this weekend, or Cork will be beaten.
Clare weren’t exactly outstanding against Limerick – even when they were ahead. The Treaty only had a 50% chance conversion overall, the lowest of the four Munster sides in action last weekend, and Clare still couldn’t hold onto the result.
The Banner will want to drastically improve their performance this time around, and Cork either need to change their own game plan or find a way to make it work.
13 out of 30. That’s how many of Cork’s own long-range puck-outs were won against Waterford.
By comparison, Waterford had 16 from 28 at distance. Why does this issue plague Cork every time they go out in Championship?
It has to change, because Clare will be far more punishing than the Déise were. I doubt many fans will want to see Cork return to the dreaded short puck-outs, but they’ve got to find a way to at least win more than they lose, because it continues to cost Cork valuable points.
It was a large factor in Limerick’s win over Cork last season, and again last weekend at Walsh Park.
It might seem obvious, but if Cork can replicate the lightning start that Waterford produced against them it would be crucial. An early goal or a couple of decent early scores will get everyone in Páirc Uí Chaoimh behind the team.
It could be the difference between losing and winning.
While the tactics certainly need tweaking – so too does the lineup. A defeat like that as favourites is always going to provoke a reaction from the fans, and this is no different.
The argument is again that the veterans are beyond their sell-by date, and it’s time to shake up the panel. This topic comes up every year.
Lehane, Patrick Horgan, Damien Cahalane and Seamus Harnedy were below their usual standards, but I doubt there are many who would have said all four needed to be on the bench before a ball was thrown in.
It made sense to start them after what we had seen in the league.
I was content with what Ryan put out on paper. After all, it only needed to be enough to beat Waterford and most of us expected it would be.
Reshuffling the entire team isn’t going to change Cork’s fortunes. Sometimes you play poorly and lose – that’s sport.
However, a few tweaks are necessary in my opinion.
With Declan Dalton and Shane Kingston potentially returning to action this weekend and Robbie O’Flynn likely to be starting, Cork should look to play with width and isolate the Clare defenders.
When Mark Coleman and Tommy O’Connell were swapped in the second period last week it had some success, and it might be worth trying it this Sunday.
I’d also bring in Niall O’Leary and give Seán O’Donoghue a shot at full-back.
Almost every Cork defender has worn that number 3 jersey at some point or another, but he was without a doubt Cork’s best back last Sunday. He’s the best option right now.
Patrick Collins;
Niall O’Leary, Seán O’Donoghue, Ger Millerick;
Tommy O’Connell, Ciarán Joyce, Rob Downey;
Mark Coleman, Darragh Fitzgibbon;
Declan Dalton, Seamus Harnedy, Shane Barrett;
Robbie O’Flynn, Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly.
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