Shot maps show just how clinical Cork were against Galway

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026 - 08:39

Jack McKay

Cork’s victory over Galway on Saturday mattered first and foremost for the two points banked, points that leave only the Rebels and Tipperary sitting on a perfect return after two rounds, though Kilkenny are still lurking with a game in hand after last weekend’s bye.

But as with the Waterford game a week earlier, it was the how rather than the what that told the story for Cork.

There was plenty of width to Cork’s approach in Salthill, likely a consequence of the emphasis placed on short puckouts against the Tribesmen on Saturday, but that carried over into their shooting attempts, too.

The scoring displays of Shane Barrett and Séamus Harnedy in particular were what stood out most from a Cork perspective, though the overall picture shows just how clinical Cork were – they finished with just four wides from play all evening.

Harnedy’s four efforts yielded four scores, while Barrett went six out of seven with his shot attempts. Alan Connolly was the only player to register more than one wide, Fitzgibbon joining him when short attempts are folded into the data.

CONCENTRATION

The shot map also shows a clear bias. Cork found their richest seam of joy down Galway’s right flank, particularly from distance, and it was from that side that the two attacking moves leading to Brian Hayes’ goals were constructed.

Cork's shot map from the first half of their National Hurling League Divison 1A match against Galway in Salthill.

Their overall conversion rate, while not quite matching Tipperary’s demolition of Offaly on Sunday (Tipp posted a remarkable conversion rate of 76.3% with just four wides) was still emphatically strong. Up to the 51st minute in Salthill, Cork had struck just a single wide from play.

But, beneath the gloss, there was concern.

Shooting efficiency can paper over cracks, but it cannot manufacture chances. For long spells of the first half, Cork struggled to do just that. The full-forward line in particular was starved.

Brian Roche and Declan Dalton were completely nullified by Galway. Dalton’s only chance in the first half came from a sideline cut, while Roche didn’t register a shot.

That Cillian Trayers, Ronan Glennon and Josh Ryan were able to close off that channel so completely is something Cork will need to reflect on. And while Hayes’ introduction ultimately tilted the contest, context is relevant there, too.

Cork's shot map from the second half of their National Hurling League Divison 1A match against Galway in Salthill.

Glennon had already departed injured by the time Cork struck their first goal, and Dáithí Burke had also been withdrawn from centre-back.

But, when Cork did get motoring there was a real swagger and stylishness to their play, as was the case at home to Waterford. The pre-season expectation was that O’Connor’s Cork would lean on the long ball game, but so far it seems as though the approach has been to keep it short and snappy.

Executing that style of hurling at pace, under pressure, without coughing up possession is no easy task either. And to be fair to Cork, over the opening two rounds, they have passed that test impressively. That alone shows the progression that this group of players have made over the years.