Tom Walsh knows Kanturk hurlers must be clinical in 'knockout' tie against St Finbarr's
Kanturk's Colin Walsh in action against Douglas last month. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Kanturk might have been frustrated to have only left Castletownroche three weeks ago with a point, but it could be a crucial one.
The Duhallow side led by four points late on against Douglas in the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC Group 3 Round 2 battle. The city outfit came back though to draw level.
The overall performance would have been a positive for Kanturk. They were the better team, but hit 19 wides over the course of the hour.
Victory on Sunday against St Finbarr’s in the final group outing in Mourneabbey (4pm) would give Kanturk every chance of qualifying.
Reflecting on his side’s draw with Douglas last time out, it was mixed emotions for manager Tom Walsh.
“We were disappointed it has to be said after a good performance,” he says.
“Our conversion rate was very disappointing to be honest. It was a do-or-die game and it was only in the second half that element came into the game. The intensity went up big time. Douglas’ efficiency in the second half was excellent, they used the ball well and had only two wides I think.
“That kept them in it, but we got the two goals and it gave us a big lift. We then lost our shape though, which I have never seen us do before. Maybe an element of panic or the pressure got to us.
“We filtered back and let Douglas come at us more and gave them chances to come back into it.
It has been a tough year to date for the Kanturk hurlers, relegation from Division 1 of the league. But, the championship performances will give them belief going into Sunday’s crunch tie with the Barrs.
The team in green and white battled gamely to push Blackrock all the way to lose by only five points before drawing with Douglas, a game Kanturk should have won.
“Look, we have had a difficult season, a lot of injuries to key players,” Walsh states.
“It has been challenging to be honest. I must say the attitude and the work rate of our lads, I just can’t fault them. There’s plenty of room for improvement.
“We are all fighting for our lives. It’s a knockout game at its best. We will just have to throw the towel at them and improve our conversion rate. Let's see where it takes us on the day.
“We know how strong St Finbarr’s are, but we will give it everything. Hopefully it will fall our way.” Walsh concluded.
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