Cork Hurling Talking Points: William Buckley proves he's key, Brian O'Sullivan puts hand up, panel changes

Buckley proves his point... again:

One of the mysteries of the summer was how William Buckley ended up being dropped for the All-Ireland series after an outstanding debut Munster campaign. 

Man of the Match with 0-5 from play against Tipp, the 22-year-old was consistent across the next four matches but ended up on the bench for the subsequent games with Offaly and Galway.

His replacement Alan Walsh plundered three goals and showed huge promise but Buckley's demotion didn't sit right with any of the Cork faithful. That he was this week included as one of seven Cork All-Star nominees and shortlisted for Young Hurler of the Year, shows what a mark he made in the province.

He picked up where he left off with St Finbarr's as well, as their marquee man in a line-up that includes Brian Hayes, Ben Cunningham, the Cahalanes and Ethan Twomey. 

He has 0-20 from play across four games, including seven in their quarter-final rout of Imokilly.

A lethal shooter with a wonderful touch and a real burst of pace, he simply has to be an integral element of Ben O'Connor's Rebel outfit in 2027.

Brian O'Sullivan needs a proper audition:

A dynamic midfielder, lethal free-taker and very clever playmaker, it's surprising Brian O'Sullivan hasn't gotten more of a chance with Cork before now. He was briefly involved under Pat Ryan, with whom he won U20 All-Irelands, while last season he got a run against Galway in the league but no meaningful game-time.

The Fitzgibbon Cup winner has channeled any frustration the right way, accumulating 2-44 as the Premier SHC top-scorer and guiding Kanturk to the semi-final. Club form doesn't automatically translate onto the inter-county stage, of course, but O'Sullivan is now due an extended run to prove his worth.

Tommy O'Connell and Tim O'Mahony were the trusted midfield duo for Ben O'Connor, with Brian Roche starting against Offaly. 

O'Sullivan might not displace both from the starting 15 per se but Ben O'Connor could deploy O'Mahony's heft elsewhere in the middle third to free up a spot. 

Could some big names depart?

In a recent Irish Examiner column, Patrick Horgan made the case for retaining the current Cork panel en masse in 2027.

"For Ben O’Connor it’s about finding the players who will give him the best chance of winning. Will Cork have the best chance if they bring in a young player who’s not ready for senior inter-county in 2027? I don’t think so.

"I don’t see any reason to get rid of any player from the Cork panel, in all honesty. If any of them feel they want to pack it in, fair enough, but based on what I’ve seen the lads on the Cork senior hurling panel are the best available."

Seamus Harnedy seems highly likely to call time on his outstanding stint as a Rebel, which included three All-Stars and captaining Cork to a Munster title. Any other changes would come from the management, you'd imagine. 

The Premier SHC relegation playoff last Sunday, saw Fr O'Neills beat Douglas with Declan Dalton and Shane Kingston both excellent. Neither got a fair crack with Cork this season, Kingston reduced to a cameo where he clipped 0-3 against Clare, Dalton frozen out.

Both turn 30 next year so age isn't a factor. However, if the Cork selectors want to bring in the likes of Colin Walsh, who has scored 2-13 for Kanturk lately, Jack Leahy, Eoin O'Leary, Justin Oke or Timmy Wilk, they could be under pressure.