John Horgan on hurling: What we learned from Cork's first three games under Ben O'Connor

Over the course of the season, inter-county management teams will get an opportunity to take stock of where their players are at, a time to reflect on what's gone on before and what's coming down the tracks.

This is a hurling-free weekend, so a very appropriate time to do just that, mull over on the happenings over the past number of weeks.

In both Division 1A and 1B, positives will have been taken, negative aspects will be addressed and for those newcomers who had the door opened in their bid to make the big breakthrough on the big stage, there will be discussions on how things have been for them.

There will be extra credit banked for some management teams more than others and some early-season decisions may be made.

The status quo has prevailed in nearly all the leading counties, those at the helm have remained in place since last season and previous seasons.

Cork are the big exception. Ben O'Connor has taken the wheel from Pat Ryan as the county enters its 21st year since Liam MacCarthy paid a visit to Leeside.

And it goes without saying that there is plenty of growth in the Cork camp, three games and a full hand of league points collected and positive signs that an already strong squad is being further deepened. In a lot of instances, that is prioritised rather than overall success, providing stronger options for the all-important and ultra more challenging championship assignments.

For the most part, Cork have been impressive. The opening 20 minutes in Salthill against Galway might not have been so but the subsequent 50-plus minutes yielded a fine victory at a venue that sometimes can be difficult to get anything from.

Shane Barrett and the returning Seamie Harnedy made a very positive impact on the scoresheet on that occasion, the latter illustrating again that age is just a number.

There was a more aggressive edge to Cork's play that night. That is something that the new manager has been stressing he wants more of going forward, within the boundaries, of course.

Cork had it much easier in their opener against a depleted Waterford, that game was well and truly sorted by half-time.

In two of the three games, newcomer William Buckley's impact was there for all to see and Darragh Fitzgibbon's operational duties in the half-forward line have provided plenty of food for thought. Against Tipperary, he was, quite rightly, judged Man of the Match.

Diarmuid Healy continues to grow more and more into the jersey, a definite championship starter. Daire O'Leary has done nothing wrong at full-back but that position will continue to be seriously debated among the management. Patrick Collins is keeping a tight hold on the number one jersey, and he will continue to be Cork's last line of defence.

With so much competition for starting places, the selectors face an onerous task in choosing their best 15 for the championship opener.

If Fitzgibbon remains in the number 10 jersey the focus of attention will be very much on the midfield partnership.

CRUCIAL

Ethan Twomey and Micheál Mullins occupied those two positions against Tipp but both were replaced. Midfield is a crucial area and it's imperative you have the blend and experience in the eight and nine jerseys.

The cutting edge is another major requirement and in Tim O'Mahony and Tommy O'Connell, Cork might just have the combination that is seriously considered.

Just food for thought but halfway through the regulation games in the secondary competition it must be said that Cork are in pretty good shape at this point in time and in all areas the squad continues to be deepened.

Buckley is certainly putting his hand up and has to be in serious contention for the summer months, another positive.

Of course, the away visits to Kilkenny and Limerick will reveal a lot more when the action resumes in a few weeks.

Clare are streets ahead of the chasing pack in Division 1B and are on track for a return to the top flight but they are not going to be on Cork's radar until they come to Leeside in the championship.

But in the meantime and for obvious reasons we will continue to monitor their journey and that's the case with the rest of the Munster counties.

Let's focus on Limerick for a while, John Kiely was not at all too happy departing Walsh Park after losing to Waterford, a county that Cork had pulverised a week earlier.

He wanted a response last Sunday against Kilkenny, his team selection indicated that nothing less than a victory would suffice and while it wasn't the perfect performance, that can be a rarity in league games with teams in experimental mode, it was a seven-point win with enough energy to suggest Limerick will remain a formidable force in the summer.

Mention of Waterford, there has been a very fine return since their opening surrender to Cork and defeating Limerick must have delighted Peter Queally.

Had a good look at them against Offaly last Sunday and while the Faithful County were competitive for long stretches, the Déise team always seemed to be capable of upping the ante.

They are still minus some key personnel and are outsiders in the Munster championship race but you underestimate them at your peril. One of these days, they will get into that top three in Munster. Tipperary and Cork won't be relishing their visits to Walsh Park.

As far as the championship is concerned, what transpires in Leinster is of no real consequence at this point in time and the current league campaign is all geared towards being in the strongest possible position for the minefield that has to be negotiated in our own province.

Kilkenny fielded quite a few unfamiliar names last Sunday against Limerick and competed admirably before John Kiely's men took a greater grip on the proceedings.

NEW BLOOD

Eoin Cody was the standout Cats performer, while some of the new blood like Timmy Clifford, Liam Moore, Luke Connellan and Darragh Corcoran had positive enough outings.

Kilkenny haven't the strength in depth that they possessed in their golden years but again when and if the time comes you have to face them the word 'wary' will come into play.

Of course, the bottom line in all league campaigns is never putting too much store into it and once it's completed, it quickly fades into the background.

One game that didn't receive the column inches that others did was the Division 1B encounter between Antrim and one of the counties that caught our attention last season, Kildare delivered in the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Well, their upward trajectory continues under Brian Dowling and defeating Davy Fitz's Antrim was a fine story in itself and the alarm bells are surely sounding in the Glens after this loss. Kildare will, in all probability, take one or two heavy beatings in the Leinster championship but credit where it's due for their continuing progress.

Things are about to get a lot more interesting as the championship looms larger.