Ben O'Connor happy with state of play as Cork face into break

While Ben O’Connor’s unhappiness with red cards for Shane Barrett and Jason Forde in Saturday night’s clash between Cork and Tipperary grabbed much of the attention, overall the manager was delighted with the outcome.

A 0-29 to 0-22 win over the All-Ireland champions made it three wins from three for the Rebels, who now have two free weekends – the league as a whole takes a break this week as the Fitzgibbon Cup final takes place and then Cork have their ‘bye week’ before a trip to UPMC Nowlan Park to take on Kilkenny on Sunday, March 1.

O’Connor couldn’t have asked for a better start to life as boss.

“Three weeks off now before we play Kilkenny,” he said, “full panel to pick from, touch wood.

“No injuries – Mark Coleman [replaced at half-time on Saturday] a small little bit of a hamstring problem, but other than that, we’re in a good place.”
In terms of what pleased the Newtownshandrum man most, he started at the end, with the outcome. “Winning,” he said.

Whether it was a point or five points, it didn't bother me, but I thought we finished strong.

“I suppose that's down to the S&C boys. The subs we put on made an impact after going on, which is exactly what you're looking for. That was probably one of the most pleasing aspects. A big Cork crowd in and finished with a win.”

Cork led by four at half-time – the first half slightly truncated as the melee that had developed took a while to calm – and for most of the second half that was the minimum between the sides.

While Tipp’s introduction of players like Noel McGrath, Eoghan Connolly – the defender was their top-scorer with four long-range dead balls – and Darragh McCarthy helped them to close to within three late on, Cork finished with four unanswered points.

ONLY WINDING UP

Alan Connolly finished with eight points while captain Darragh Fitzgibbon had seven and both were to the fore in that run. At the same time, O’Connor wasn’t getting carried away.

“I thought it was okay for the time of year,” he said, “we are in February.

“There was going to be a bit of needle between both teams. Good conditions out there, but still, it is only February, fellas are only winding up.

“You can see some fellas are carrying a few pound, they'll get rid of that in the coming weeks. We'll be ready for championship.”

Goal opportunities were not as plentiful as in the wins over Waterford and Tipp – beyond some probing passes that almost led to openings, neither goalkeeper was truly tested.

“Compared to other games, you'd have more chances,” O’Connor said.

“We just didn't get as many tonight. Tonight the chances were less but I’m delighted with the game. We got the win.

I thought our subs made a difference when they came in. League in February, we'll drive on.

Beyond the over-officiousness that he feels is coming from on high, O’Connor also has issues with the length of delays for frees and would like to see a time-limit applied.

“Frees taking two minutes to hit – you go home and watch the stats of the game, how long was the ball in play tonight?” he asked.

“For 75, 76 minutes, how long was the ball in play?

“There should be a limit on it, definitely, without doubt. From the time the referee's whistle is blown, there should be a limit.

“In club and county games, a team is up a point and time up and they get a free, the fella from the farthest down corner, he is walking on out, blowing and planting, and he is let take it, slowing down the game. There should be a time-limit on all those things.

“There are improvements that could be done to our game, not watching for a fella pulling and tearing at jerseys.”