Sarsfields are being under-rated, lack of Cork players could fuel another county title charge

In the healing journey ahead of the Cork hurlers, this weekend will mark an important release.

A return to the pitch, alongside the friends they grew up playing with, cheered on by those who supported them from the underage ranks, will form the start of a new challenge, and at least temporarily distract from the lingering hurt of last Sunday week’s All-Ireland final defeat.

For some, that process began with appearances in the Football Championship first rounds.

At the top level, Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey, and William Buckley lined out in St Finbarr’s one-point victory over Clonakilty. The former pair added formidable ball-winning ability, while Buckley kicked three classy points.

That trio will expect to start again when the Barrs meet Douglas in their Premier SHC Group 3 opener on Friday night. 

Entering as the unseeded pair alongside Blackrock and Kanturk, an opening-day victory is key. Perhaps especially so for the Barrs, who face the Rockies next time out.

Their senior-hurler quota will be swelled by the Cahalane brothers, who featured as Castlehaven survived a severe test against Mallow. Jack buried a goal and was fouled for a Matty Taylor black card, while Damien excelled in attack and defence.

Integrating Jack, Conor Cahalane, and Buckley into the team for the Division 1 League final defeat to Sarsfields will give them a boost by bedding down some returning stars before the rigorous group-stage test.

UNDERRATED

Going by the bookies’ odds, Sars must rank as one of the most underrated teams given their track record. Their run to an All-Ireland final will have polished their fitness and interplay throughout an extended campaign.

They have learned how to mix up their style of play. They have developed the option of man-on-man match-ups on top of their preferred sweeper tactic. They have also blended a more direct approach with their customary short-passing patterns.

They won a third consecutive League title without particularly targeting that trophy, and only Imokilly have had their number in recent Championship fare. They didn’t have a representative on the matchday 26 for the All-Ireland final. 

Could that add a little individual spice to their drive to reclaim the Seán Óg Murphy Cup? It certainly worked for Kiladangan’s run to the 2023 Tipperary title, when earning county spots was a “massive” driver. Willie Connors, who put in the performance of his life against Cork, was the most notable beneficiary.

Of those Sars hurlers, Cathal McCarthy was in outstanding form for the Glanmire footballers last weekend, scoring 1-2, while Daniel Hogan earned a penalty.

But if anyone will feel the burning drive to earn more minutes next year, it may well be Jack O’Connor. A starter in the 2021 final, he saw just three minutes of game time in the Championship this summer, but continues to lead his club from the front.

Sars were ranked as high as 5/1 just a week ago, which was longer odds than at the outset of the 2023 or ‘24 campaigns. That figure has since been shortened, although they are still considered third favourites in some quarters. The loss of Aaron Myers to Australia is certainly a factor there, although they coped without the sharp-shooter – and a handful of other talents such as McCarthy and Killian Murphy – for spells last year. 

As further compensation, Barry O’Flynn makes the step up with an eye-catching underage track record. Whatever team Johnny Crowley settles upon, they won’t be far away again this year.

Other Cork hurlers who have already got a run out with the big ball include Seán O’Donoghue, who notched a goal in Inniscarra’s Premier Junior victory over Millstreet, and Luke Meade, whose fingerprints were all over Newcestown’s goal to get their Premier SFC campaign off to a winning start against Valley Rovers.

MIRROR

In Tipp, the divisional championships began last weekend with some mirror-image events from Croke Park. Rhys Shelly saved a penalty, from John McGrath this time, while Darragh McCarthy netted a penalty for the second time in seven days.

In the same manner, the opportunity for Rebel fans to witness wow moments in a parochial setting and for kids to imitate their heroes up close should swell crowds from Mourneabbey to Carrigtwohill, Grenagh to Carrigaline, and Mallow to Páirc Uí Rinn.

It helps when the championships are so even. 

The Premier Senior begins with six teams who couldn’t be categorised as shock champions - Imokilly, Sars, Midleton, the Barrs, Rockies, and Glen. And we haven’t even named half of last year’s quarter-finalists in Fr O’Neills, Kanturk, and Newtownshandrum. Or two more who made it the previous year in Charleville and Douglas.

Down the grades, naturally, the competition is even tighter again.

For fans, too, it could be the tonic for those Croke Park hangovers.