Munster SHC: Breaking down Cork's scoring stats ahead of Munster final

With a Munster final looming, it’s time to take stock: after four games, how have Cork’s players performed in terms of individual shooting efficiency?

Using conversion percentages offers a fair comparison, but even that doesn’t tell the full story — especially when shot volume varies widely. Currently, four Cork players boast a perfect 100% conversion rate, but each has taken just one shot: Conor Lehane, Robert Downey, Tommy O’Connell, and Diarmuid Healy.

Downey, hampered by injuries, might have added more, while the others have impressed in brief cameos but haven’t featured enough to be included in a meaningful analysis.

So for fairness, we’re only including players who’ve attempted at least three shots from open play over the first four rounds.

Conversion rate from play is the primary metric here, but success from placed balls is also factored in.

Top of the charts – and somewhat unexpectedly – is Declan Dalton. Despite limited minutes and missing the Waterford game through injury, he’s scored five of six from play and eight of ten overall, tallying 1-7 (1-4 from play) across the campaign.

Tied for second with 66% are Mark Coleman, Brian Roche, and Robbie O’Flynn, each scoring two from three attempts.

Among Cork’s regular shooters, Brian Hayes leads the way with a solid 64.24% conversion rate from play, having posted 3-6 so far. It’s a clear sign as to why Pat Ryan continues to trust him.

Alan Connolly trails narrowly at 63.63%, contributing 1-6, while Séamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan follow with 61.11% and 58.33%, respectively. Harnedy, notably, has taken the most shots from play (18), converting 11.

His numbers would look even better were it not for four wides against Waterford — still, he’s been one of Cork’s standout performers this year.

Horgan, meanwhile, has taken just 12 shots from play this season — a stark contrast to his 32 attempts last year. It just shows how much his role with Cork has evolved over the years, but he remains one of the most crucial players in the team.

Shane Barrett has taken 11 shots in his two and a half games, scoring six (54.54%), while Tim O’Mahony has an even 50%, converting three from six attempts for a total of 1-2.

The only consistent shooter under 50% is Darragh Fitzgibbon, who’s scored six from 14 shots. His numbers took a hit against Limerick; remove that performance, and he’d be level with Barrett at 54%.

Cormac O’Brien lies bottom of the list at 12th with 33%, though he has only attempted three shots, scoring one. The fact only two players fall below 50% is certainly a positive. Wides haven’t been a major issue – and the stats back that up.

Cork will need to be clinical to take down Limerick this weekend, but the gap between the teams is not as large as the 16-point deficit three weeks ago would suggest.

Conversion rate rankings in full:

1 Declan Dalton – 83.33% 1-4 (5/6) 

(75% conversion from placed balls) 0-3 (3/4) 

2 Mark Coleman – 66.66% 0-2 (2/3) 

(0% conversion rate from placed balls) 0-0 (0/1) 

3 Brian Roche – 66.66% 0-2 (2/3) 

4 Robbie O’Flynn – 66.66% 0-2 (2/3) 

5 Brian Hayes – 64.28% 3-6 (9/14) 

6 Alan Connolly – 63.63% 1-6 (7/11) 

7 Séamus Harnedy – 61.11% 0-11 (11/18) 

8 Patrick Horgan – 58.33% 1-6 (7/12) 

(76.92% conversion rate from placed balls) 1-16 (30/39) 

9 Shane Barrett – 54.54% 0-6 (6/11) 

10 Tim O’Mahony – 50.00% 1-2 (3/6) 

11 Darragh Fitzgibbon – 42.85% 0-6 (6/14) 

(100% conversion rate from placed balls) 0-1 (1/1) 

12 Cormac O’Brien – 33.33% 0-1 (1/3) 

N/A: (attempted fewer than three shots across the first four games)

Diarmuid Healy – 100.00% 0-1 (1/1) 

Conor Lehane – 100.00% 0-1 (1/1) 

Robert Downey – 100.00% 0-1 (1/1) 

Tommy O’Connell – 100.00% 0-1 (1/1) 

Shane Kingston – 50.00% 0-1 (1/2) 

Ciarán Joyce – 0.00% 0-0 (0/1) 

Damien Cahalane – 0.00% 0-0 (0/1) 

Ger Millerick – 0.00% 0-0 (0/1) 

Seán O’Donoghue – 0.00% 0-0 (0/1) 

Ethan Twomey – 0.00% 0-0 (0/1)