Cork hurling talking points: No one is guaranteed a starting spot now

One could easily talk about Cork’s win and just say they were playing a depleted Wexford side and that anyone would have beaten them.

But that would be a discredit to both teams, particularly Cork who gave a display full of aspects of the game any manager wants.

Competition:

Cork now have a panel with serious competition for places all over the pitch, and no one can be safe in the knowledge that they are an automatic choice.

Examples of that could be seen all over the pitch on Saturday night.

In the full-back line Eoin Downey was missing through injury, but Ger Millerick slotted in without any fuss and was rock solid all through.

Beside him, Sean O’Donoghue had to go off injured and Damien Cahalane came on and it in no way weakened the side. Mark Coleman wasn’t available and Newtownshandrum’s Cormac O’Brien put his hand up to say he’s ready to grab his chance and he certainly did.

In attack, Padraig Power notched 1-4 and let the likes of Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan know he’s determined to nail down a starting spot.

Jack Cahalane, also missing on Saturday night, is another that will be pushing hard for inclusion.

Ethan Twomey, another who will be hoping to make the breakthrough, replaced Rob Downey and with one of his first touches coolly slotted the ball over the bar.

So manager Pat Ryan now has the type of headaches he wants; players sticking their hands up and that can only help raise the standards of the team.

Physicality:

All too often we have heard that Cork lack physicality and that it has cost them. Those present in Wexford would have seen that this is far from the reality.

From the full-forward line, where Brian Hayes was outstanding, back to the full-back line the hits and tackles they put in made life extremely difficult for Wexford.

When Wexford tried to play the ball short and work it out, Cork, led by Hayes and Power among others, never gave them a chance and they turned the ball over to set up attacks.

That was backed up all over the pitch as players stood up and didn’t give Wexford an inch all through.

Forwards

Cork have always had great forwards and in recent years Hoggie and Seamus Harnedy have led in that area.

Now they have plenty of others to back them up. Power and Hayes are going to take some stopping, with the former showing the form that propelled him into the side last season.

Harnedy showed his importance when he came on and pointed and with Horgan and Alan Connolly also available, Cork now potentially have one of the most potent forward lines in the country.