Cork forwards giving Ben O'Connor plenty to think about ahead of championship
Cork's Barry Walsh celebrates with Alan Connolly after scoring his goal against Kilkenny. Picture: ©INPHO
The days are getting longer, championship is growing nearer. And Cork are still winning.
Despite several absentees through injury, Cork’s win streak in the Division 1A Hurling League was maintained as they brought down Kilkenny at Nowlan Park on Sunday.
It was a scrappy contest – conditions ensured it would be – but even with the wind in the first half, it looked as though Cork probably could have done more.
They had put up 1-9, while Kilkenny had 0-6. When ends changed for the second half, the scrappy nature was certain to continue, and the expectation was that the Cats would claw their way back into proceedings.
And yet, while Kilkenny failed to raise many flags they still did enough to bring the tension. As Cork manager Ben O’Connor suggested after the game, conditions were so challenging that even with the wind, points were tricky to pick off. And so, it became a battle of the green flags. A battle this Cork side seldom lose with their championship 15 out, and a battle they still don’t lose when the carousel spins, as proven by Sunday’s showing.
Barry and Alan Walsh both showed what they were about. Hugh O’Connor was unfortunate to finish the game scoreless, given he had two goal chances. William Buckley has had better shooting days this spring, but his Sunday showing proved why he’s earned the opportunity at this level.
His work-rate out of possession came to the fore again here, and he swung over a nice effort in the first half to complete Cork’s 0-4 unanswered run.
What Sunday’s victory in Kilkenny showed, is that irrespective of whether Cork get over the line this year, they will be contending for quite some time.
The level of depth in the team has been strong for the last number of years, but it’s continuing to grow. Barry Walsh – still a Cork U20 – made an immediate impression, goaling on his debut for Cork as he did during his league and championship bows with Killeagh. And the goal was trademark, too. Gathered possession, thundered through, blasted home.
He was very much on top of his battle with Ivan Bolger. Walsh was fouled for a converted free and the second-half penalty that Alan Connolly missed, which saw Bolger black carded.
Even with the promising start, Walsh’s breakthrough will likely not come until next season, but it gives O’Connor plenty of food for thought ahead of their trip to Limerick this Saturday.
Bar one heart-pounding mix-up in the first half that Paddy Deegan failed to punish, Paudie O’Sullivan too was impressive. Patrick Collins will remain no. 1 of course, but it can only benefit the team to have Brion Saunderson and O’Sullivan battling for the no. 16.
Tommy O’Connell is another player that has bolstered his chances of making the starting 15 next month, Cork’s midfield has looked better with him in it this year, and O’Connor looks to getting the most out of the Midleton hurler.
There is at least one more real opportunity for Cork to test themselves before the start of the championship, and that’s this weekend against John Kiely’s Limerick.
With no disrespect to Offaly, the Faithful are a long way off Division 1A level. They’ve greatly improved on where they were two, three years ago, but their league campaign this year has proven to be too much too soon.
It also means that if O’Connor wants to make a host of changes and give those who haven’t yet started an opportunity to get extended minutes, he can do so against Offaly. Which leaves at least one meeting, if not two, against the Treaty County.
Limerick have shown why they’re still one of the All-Ireland favourites. Fears over the next generation of Limerick hurlers have been squashed by what Matthew Fitzgerald and Shane O’Brien have shown in this year’s league, and what Cathal O’Neill and Adam English have added in recent years.
The Declan Hannon-shaped hole in the dressing room will take some filling, but the return of Caroline Currid is a statement that points in the direction Kiely wants to take his team.
Whether they’ll win it all this year or not, they’ll be contending.
Their win over Offaly last weekend was scrappy to say the least, but the week before that they had demolished Tipperary by 15 points, scoring an outrageous 0-36 at Semple Stadium. Aidan O’Connor and O’Brien each scored 0-6 from play on that occasion.
They will demand a lot from Cork on Saturday – but would Ben O’Connor want it any other way a month and a half out from championship?
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