Stars' absence during league allows St Finbarr's to build squad

No club has more players on the Cork hurling panel than the St Finbarr’s tally of five.

Naturally, it’s a source of pride but of course it can also be a challenge when it comes to the RedFM Hurling League.

On Sunday, the Togher side were without Brian Hayes and William Buckley, who had featured in the win over Offaly the night before, while Ethan Twomey remains out injured, though they did have the benefit of being able to use Damien Cahalane and Ben Cunningham.

The flipside of the coin is that opportunities can be given to newcomers, allowing the Barrs to build depth, something manager Paudie Murray has made an objective in his first year in charge.

“I suppose the key is, and we’ve said it before, we need to build a panel,” he said.

“We’re trying to bring through a bit of youth, which I think is going to be important with the Cork guys away.

“It allows us to do that, with the [Division 7] game yesterday as well. Between the two games, we've given a lot of the younger guys a run-out.

“The key will be is integrating the Cork players back when they come back; we'll just have to wait for that one.”

On Sunday, it looked like a late charge would give the Barrs victory away to Midleton but a last-gasp goal from the hosts’ goalkeeper Brion Saunderson meant victory of the Magpies by 1-24 to 3-17. There were positives for Murray to take, though.

“Yeah, look, I suppose disappointed to lose the game,” he said, “there wasn’t much between the side.

“I thought it was a really good workout for us and for Midleton as well – obviously, Midleton went home happy but, for the time of year, it was an outstanding game.

“The pace was quite good in it and I thought it was a great workout for ourselves.

“I suppose there are things to work on, we know that and we just keep working away.”

The game included another strong performance from former Cork U20 hurler Seán Daly following his move from Randal Óg and Murray expects him to continue to improve as he is exposed to a high level of hurling.

“I suppose it's learning for him as well,” he said, “is that he's got to integrate with the other guys.

“He's after two really good games, he played very well against Midleton, and

he's enjoying it.

“In general, I think that the attitude of the players has been fantastic, to be honest, and they really went at it hard on Sunday.

“I have to compliment them on that.”