Fergal McCormack backs Cork minors to learn lessons of Tipp match

While Cork manager Fergal McCormack felt the performance in Friday’s Electric Ireland Munster MHC win over Tipperary left a lot to be desired, he expects it to sharpen minds ahead of the provincial final.

Having won their opening three round-robin games, Cork were assured of a place in the decider by the eight-point win over the already eliminated Tipp. McCormack was less-than-satisfied with some aspects of the display, but it will serve as a prod to the team and management as they gear up for a clash with Waterford on Friday week, May 17.

“In lots of ways, you couldn't write away for a better result,” McCormack said.

“We win the match, play as poor as we possibly can play, so 2-17 to 1-12, which is comprehensive enough.

“I'm sure Waterford will be looking at this and if they do look at the tape, they'll be saying, ‘We can take these boys on.’

“We'll be coming with our A-game the next day, I have no doubt about that.

“On our day we're very, very good. Our attitude and our application, our body language is fantastic all the time.

“When we're training in Mallow or wherever else we are, that keeps us going.

“We're very positive from that regard. We'll be going hammer and tongs the next day.”

Cork led by seven points at half-time and never looked like being caught by Tipp, but even so, their play was not at the levels of previous outings.

“When we came down to Páirc Uí Rinn, for the last game [against Waterford] and for this game as well,” McCormack said, “we said we'll try and enjoy it and put on as much of a good performance as we possibly could.

“But that didn't really transpire, and I know people will say that we were qualified for a Munster final and Tipperary were out of the championship, but I felt coming into it that that wasn't going to affect the game.

“Something wasn't right and it didn't click with us, it was as error-ridden a performance as I've been involved with this group.

“But in saying all that, we're in a Munster final in two weeks' time and we have an opportunity to rectify some of the things that we could have done better.”

That is the key takeaway, that Cork finished top of the round-robin with a 100 percent record, only the second team to have done so since the change in format.

McCormack was happy with that and is looking forward to hopefully enjoying more victories.

“It's more than positive enough,” he said, “it's fantastic, we're delighted with it.

“We couldn't have expected this at the start of the campaign. For me and all the management team and certainly for all the players, this is a dream come true.

“You're playing with the Cork minors in 2025 and the format is fantastic to be fair. If you're in an inter-county minor squad now, you're getting exposure to great games and a brilliant competition.

“Luckily, we’re guaranteed to have two more games, so that's brilliant.”