Cork's attitude and problem-solving the keys for Ben O'Connor

As much as a modern coach might like to be able to guide his players on the field, once they pass the white line, the onus of responsibility shifts.

To that end, what was pleasing for Cork manager Ben O’Connor in Saturday’s Allianz HL Division 1A win over Galway was that the team themselves were the ones to start to effect a turnaround after a slow start.

Trailing by 1-7 to 0-3 and 1-8 to 0-4, Cork finished the first half well to go in down by just a point, 1-9 to 0-11. Taking advantage of small turning points, the team were able to problem-solve, something that was heartening for the boss.

“I think we were down four or five and they [Galway] had a chance at goal, went for goal instead of putting it over the bar,” he said, “next thing we got five points.

“Look, it is impossible, trying to get information into lads there on the field. You put a foot inside the line and someone is giving out to you – you are sitting above in the stand the next day.

“That is the way the boys operate inside, they work things out for themselves. There was a lot of questions asked at half-time and that is what it was down to, attitude.

“We saw what we had in the second half. Fellas really dug in. Right up to the end, it could have equally gone any way. It is the attitude.”

Half-time subs Tim O’Mahony and Brian Hayes were very influential for Cork, with the latter scoring two second-half goals as they won by 2-20 to 1-21. Inasmuch as the St Finbarr’s man was in the right place to find the net, he benefited from some excellent inter-play.

“The two boys who laid off the ball, the two of them could have had a shot, but they saw a fella in a better position inside and just popped it in,” O’Connor said.

“That is the difference between winning and losing at the end of the day. We have been following Cork teams for long enough, where that wouldn’t happen. A fella would take a shot or put it wide or be hooked.

“Whereas now, these fellas realise if there is a man in a better position, just pop it.”

Now, with two wins on the board – Galway away building on Waterford at home – O’Connor is looking forward to the size of the challenge increasing slightly again as All-Ireland champions Tipperary visit SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“We knew coming up, we were going to get a battle,” he said, they put it up to Tipp last Saturday night.

“Ran out of steam in the end, back home for their first league game here tonight, that is the way it goes. When you have a home league game, it is definitely worth a few scores to you. “We’d a fierce travelling crowd but last week we had 20,000 and it does make a difference.

“We are delighted for it and we’ll have the same now on Saturday night, can’t wait to get up there.”