Result and performance pleasing for Ben O'Connor as Cork get off mark

For a first outing in the league as Cork manager, Ben O’Connor could scarcely have wished for things to go better.

While he accepted that it was far from a Waterford championship 15 that his side had overcome, the Newtownshandrum man was pleased with how Cork approached the task and ensured they got on top from the off.

“Yeah, I'm just happy to have it out the way, if I'm being honest,” he said.

“A lot of talk about it during the week, just because it was our first day out, so I'm just delighted that we got a performance out of the boys.

“The condition of the field made a difference, and the fine day was nice to see as well, so it just made it a bit easier.

“I suppose, look, Watford were under-strength, short their Ballygunner lads, but we can only beat what's in front of us and I'm just delighted for some of the lads there now.”

Given that it was Cork’s first ‘proper’ outing since the All-Ireland final loss to Tipperary – Munster hurling league games apart – there was a sense of blowing off steam.

“Yeah, there was no nerves either, no nerves,” O’Connor said.

“I suppose we got eight or nine fast points, and I suppose it set the tone for the rest of the day. In that period, I don't think we had any wide either, so the shooting was good.

“The boys ran into position and played the ball around well, so it was a good start for the first day out.”

William Buckley was the only debutant in the starting 15 and he made the most of his opportunity as he scored 1-4.

With ten of the All-Ireland starters chosen, there was an addition in each outfield line of the pitch – Dáire O’Leary at full-back, Cormac O’Brien at number 5, Tommy O’Connell in midfield, Brian Roche at right half-forward and Buckley inside.

Being able to assimilate them into a side with so many experienced heads was a luxury for the manager.

“Yeah, very good performances,” O’Connor said.

“I suppose we were lucky enough we had nine or ten of the more experienced fellas and we were able to fire in a few younger fellas with them as well to help them out.

“Not that they needed any helping out out there today, but it's nice to be able to do that and to put on five subs in the second half as well and give them all a bit of game-time.”

Buckley’s tally of 1-4 was matched by Declan Dalton, his colleague in the full-forward line.

“Deccie's played full-forward for Fr O'Neill’s,” O’Connor said, “he's played full-forward for Cork before, so it wasn't any great thoughts on our behalf. Deccie can play anywhere – he could be in goal, he's that good a hurler.

“He's got good touch, good movement, good head, so, today, we just saw him inside there and that's where he went and he played well in fairness until he got injured.”

Thankfully, his injury, and those of the other players withdrawn, was not serious.

“Not too bad, a few dead legs,” O’Connor said.

“No muscle tears or no breaks or anything like that. I'd say every fella we took off came off with a dead leg, so that'll be down to the physios during the week, but I'd imagine that they'll be all declared fit for next weekend again.”