Cork U20 hurlers must get more physical to recover from Tipp setback

THE Cork U20 hurlers were considered favourites for the All-Ireland at the outset of the season but they've a lot of work to do after suffering a chastening loss to Tipperary.

They're not eliminated yet, with a Munster semi-final on the horizon on May 17. However, the Premier were full value for their 3-20 to 0-18 success last Friday night, fully exposing the flaws visible even in Cork's wins over Waterford, Limerick and Clare.

This group steamrolled the opposition at minor level, winning by 10 plus points in all three games in Munster and the All-Ireland against Galway. There's a lot of maturing between the U17 and U20 grades of course.

Cork routed Clare, 6-28 to 0-6, three years ago but were pushed all the way last month in the Páirc, prevailing 2-22 to 1-19 but only after a very harsh red card derailed the Banner before half-time.

While the on-the-age Rebels already proved their class by capturing last year's All-Ireland they're now without the Barrs powerhouse Ben O'Connor, a defensive lynchpin. 

Erin's Own attacker Oran O'Regan has been recast as a playmaking centre-back and captain Darragh O'Sullivan is a classy stickman from the corner, but building from deep has its risks.

The heft of Kevin Lyons and James Dwyer is hugely important given the way they're currently set up, Dwyer slotting over some booming points as well, but they were still under savage pressure in Thurles.

As with most Cork underage teams over the years, and the seniors in the modern era, there isn't a shortage of skill and speed in attack. Marquee scorer from last summer Ben Cunningham has graduated to the senior ranks but Jack Leahy, William Buckley and Diarmuid Healy can still lead the line with style. Only Healy is a natural ball-winner, a recurring theme with Cork teams, and even he wasn't able to secure a huge amount of it against Tipp.

They have missed the graft of last year's captain Micheál Mullins, who is also now in Pat Ryan's extended squad.

With Ben O'Connor at the helm, it's no surprise this young crop is extremely fit and once their running game clicks, can create dangerous overlaps bombing through the 65. To retain the All-Ireland, and make it four titles in five seasons, they'll need to mix it up a bit more. Injuries to Timmy Wilk mean the Cobh club man, who is comfortable anywhere across the middle eight, has been restricted to two sub appearances. He's a strong and direct hurler would add quite to bit to the starting 15.

Cork fans would be forgiven for being skeptical right now about whether U20 silverware can translate to the ultimate glory of Liam MacCarthy success.

Especially when it's better puck-out targets and defensive grafters the seniors are currently missing, where the U20 groups seem to be loaded with wristy forwards.

By the same token, a winning underage mentality is hardly a hindrance to the prospect of ending the senior drought. Bouncing back from the Tipp hammering would really show the mettle of Ben O'Connor's squad.

SCORERS:

Jack Leahy 1-37 (0-28 f);

William Buckley 0-16 (0-3 f, 0-1 65);

Diarmuid Healy 0-10;

James Dwyer 0-5;

Mikey Finn 0-4 (0-1 f);

Eoin O'Leary 0-3 Barry Walsh 1-1;

Ross O'Sullivan 1-1;

Tadhg O'Connell 0-2;

Ben Walsh 0-2;

Adam O'Sullivan 0-2;

Timmy Wilk 0-1;

Cillian Tobin 0-1;

David Cremin 0-1;

Paudie O'Sullivan 0-1 (pen).

RESULTS:

Waterford 1-10 Cork 0-21;

Cork 2-22 Clare 1-19;

Cork 1-25 Limerick 2-20;

Tipperary 3-20 Cork 0-18.

FIXTURES:

May 17, 7.30pm: Munster semi-final.

May 24, 7.30pm: Munster final.

June 1: All-Ireland final.