Cork club hurling: How many wides can you afford to have to win matches

Let’s begin with an odd stat from my two games on the road last weekend. 

The victors, Na Piarsaigh and Newtownshandrum, struck a combined 39 wides between them. Both finished with identical 44% conversion rates; 18 scores from 41 shots.

Watching Ireland’s gold-medal performers at the Olympics – in swimming, rowing, gymnastics, and hopefully boxing to come – efficiency of effort was key to every success.

There’s no wasted movement in Daniel Wiffen’s stroke. No wasted power in Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy’s rhythm. No wasted second in Rhys McClenaghan’s routine. No wasted punch in Kellie Harrington’s repertoire.

When Cork defeated Limerick in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final, John Kiely said it came down to a simple “battle of efficiency”.

Each club will know their scoring success rate must improve for the business end of championship.

Ballincollig manager Danny Dwyer was disappointed with his side shooting “too many wides” and “taking pot-shots from ridiculous angles” in their premier intermediate victory over Mallow. They accumulated 12 wides. The benchmark is single digits.

By comparison, Na Piarsaigh sprayed 20 either side of the posts in their senior A victory over Courcey Rovers and Newtownshandrum misfired 19 times in dismantling Bishopstown.

There were a combined 30 wides in each of those games, a tally beaten by the 32 racked up between Fr O’Neills (15) and Newcestown (17) on Sunday. The East Cork side won there as did Bride Rovers against Cloyne despite matching O’Neills’ total of 15 wides.

Much of those inaccuracies can be attributed to first-round ring rust. In addition, many teams have been adapting to bed in county stars straight off the back of an All-Ireland final appearance.

No team wants to be peaking on the first weekend of August either.

“Lots of nerves,” were a factor according to Piarsaigh boss Mark Mullins. “A bit of composure was required. We spoke about that at half-time.

“We were making the chances, at least, which is important. We were disappointed with the number of wides but, look, it’s something to work on. We can fix those.” 

Newtown joint-manager Alan O’Brien gave a similar prescription.

“It’s something for the training field and it’s great we have something to go back and work on because we’re far from the finished article,” he said, with an eye on the county champions next up.

“For any team to topple Sars or even compete with them, you can’t be hitting 19 wides.” 

RECHARGE

The three-week gap between games will allow teams more oxygen to work on their shooting – and figuring out when to pass instead.

For now, the simple fact that so many chances are being created will please those winning managers. They know the team that generates the lion’s share of opportunities will prevail more times than most.

On the other hand, one of the lowest creation and conversion rates of the weekend falls to Bishopstown.

The Town completed an against-all-odds escape against Glen Rovers to avoid relegation from the premier senior grade last year. Down a handful of players from that famous victory, it looks like a similar resurrection will be required again this season.

Just as worrying as their paltry 0-8 total was being held scoreless by five-goal Newtown for the final 22 minutes plus stoppages. They slotted just two of their 10 shots in that second half and converted 33% across the hour.

While they abandoned their sweeper against the Glen, it was back here. They worked the sliotar short and got their best returns from long-range shooting.

But their inside duo didn’t register apart from one 65 as they were underserved and outnumbered. They didn’t score any free either, which reflected the lack of pressure applied close to goal. Newtown never needed to foul.

Another factor was most galling for Courceys in their 2-16 to 0-19 loss to Na Piarsaigh. Despite converting 61% of their shots compared to 44% for the winners, their three goal chances in the closing stages were the decisive misses.

Two were skittled agonisingly wide not long before the Northsiders rifled home when their chance materialised in the seventh added minute.

For those losing teams, the analysis will be more urgent. The victors can focus on fine-tuning their radar with their two points banked and the foundations in place to reach greater heights.