Re: Cork Senior Hurling 2024

by JBM1 Sun May 26, 2024 6:44 pm

Cork v Offaly/Laois
Cork v KK/Dublin
Cork v Lim/Clare

This is my understanding anyway - I know the first two are right.

Jesus the flaking was awful to watch with the swarm tackling and Lim just love it - For me, its not an enjoyable watch - Yes they have fantastic players and are still favourites to do the 5 in a row

Corcaigh Abu

by bittergaaman Sun May 26, 2024 8:03 pm

The Swarm tackling was introduced by Mickey Harte a couple of decades ago when Tyrone blitzed Kerry with it. Brian Cody adopted that shock and awe swarm tackling physicality in the 2007 AI against Cork. I remember being berated for making that point on the old rebel Gaa forum, but I still stand by it. Now Limerick have brought it to another level too as they are so physically imposing. It's extremely effective and it's extremely ugly too... I personally hate it, I feel the attacker being swallowed up isn't being protected enough and it rewards negative play. But what you gonna do as Anthony Soprano would say

by Tipp Ex Mon May 27, 2024 12:09 pm

I'd say that was 2006. We were going for 3 in a row. The grass was too long cause Cody told em not to cut it and Kilkenny got a gammy goal down the canal end to win it. Awful day

by bittergaaman Mon May 27, 2024 12:31 pm

Ah yes! And it was 2003 when we should of taken John Gar off the 65s and long range frees but didn't. Left that one behind us.
Anyway, the swarm tackling sucks

by Tipp Ex Mon May 27, 2024 5:13 pm

Shefflin has been an utter failure as Galway boss. Hard to see him stay on

by caughtforpace Mon May 27, 2024 5:35 pm

Tipp Ex wrote:I'd say that was 2006. We were going for 3 in a row. The grass was too long cause Cody told em not to cut it and Kilkenny got a gammy goal down the canal end to win it. Awful day

A depressing day alright. Never felt we were going to win it. Nicky Brennan was GAA president and he hid the keys of the Croker lawnmowers. Someone said they saw round bales coming out of it the following Tuesday.

by caughtforpace Mon May 27, 2024 5:39 pm

bittergaaman wrote:Ah yes! And it was 2003 when we should of taken John Gar off the 65s and long range frees but didn't. Left that one behind us.
Anyway, the swarm tackling sucks

I'll never forget the atmosphere on the hill when Setanta scored. We should've been going for 4 in '06.

by Tipp Ex Mon May 27, 2024 8:29 pm

I was up there alongside ya.

Now let's calm down here. (not here, over along). We're (joint) 3rd favourites to win the AI.
Limerick strong favourite and rightly so.

A well deserved break upcoming. I notice SeanTwomey played for Courcey Rovers in the league over the weekend.

by bittergaaman Mon May 27, 2024 10:27 pm

Can't help think what might have been if Setanta stayed in Cork

by Sinbin Mon May 27, 2024 10:43 pm

Tipp Ex wrote:OK, so we're over that one.

Sinbin - I think it's a Munster team. It obviously depends on the Leinster and Munster finals. I'd fancy us all day long against any Leinster team

It looks that way, Tipp...on current form anyway. But you can never write Kilkenny off when its gets to the business end...they don't currently look like a KK team of Cody but its in their DNA.

Right now we've as good a chance as any, but....we're really judging Cork on the last 2 games and both of those come with caveats. Limerick had the game in PUC won and believed it themselves, then a touch of magic from Kingston and a rush of blood from Kyle Hayes changed everything, and at that stage it was too late even for Limerick. On the other hand we showed we could hurl them and stay with them for the most part...and we have the legs on them. Tipp were awful and barely laid a glove on us in the 2nd half, we probably won't have an easier half of hurling again this year.

Still, we are there by whatever way we got there and it all starts again from here. What we do have that we didn't have a month ago is arguably our best and settled 15 with Joyce the only one likely to force his way in, and the confidence and belief that has built from the last 2 games. And, not to be understated, a huge wave of momentum...and with Cork in particular that can be worth a few points per game. So we do have a chance, a real chance.

Not getting ahead of ourselves but we should account for Laois/Offaly without too much stress, and then probably face Dublin in the QF. Not the worst road in the world to take...and if we get to the SF then all bets are off.

by Sinbin Mon May 27, 2024 10:44 pm

caughtforpace wrote:
Tipp Ex wrote:I'd say that was 2006. We were going for 3 in a row. The grass was too long cause Cody told em not to cut it and Kilkenny got a gammy goal down the canal end to win it. Awful day
A depressing day alright. Never felt we were going to win it. Nicky Brennan was GAA president and he hid the keys of the Croker lawnmowers. Someone said they saw round bales coming out of it the following Tuesday.

by Red or Dead Tue May 28, 2024 9:48 pm

bittergaaman wrote:Can't help think what might have been if Setanta stayed in Cork

The bigger loss was Sweetnam.
We would have won the final in 2013 with him breaking ball in midfield. C'est la vie.

by Red or Dead Tue May 28, 2024 10:02 pm

JBM1 wrote:Cork v Offaly/Laois
Cork v KK/Dublin
Cork v Lim/Clare

This is my understanding anyway - I know the first two are right.

Jesus the flaking was awful to watch with the swarm tackling and Lim just love it - For me, its not an enjoyable watch - Yes they have fantastic players and are still favourites to do the 5 in a row

Corcaigh Abu

The following presumes no upset in the games against the McDonagh finalists.
We play the losers of the Leinster final. Wexford plays the losers of the Munster.
Semis will try to avoid previous pairing so will try to keep provinces apart if possible, I presume if that is impossible for eg losing finalists Clare/Limerick and Cork make it through then an avoidance of a repeat Munster final should take precedence and we would play the Munster winners and the other Munster team would play the Leinster winners.
However if it's one Munster one Leinster team make it through to the semis then the Munster winning quarter finalist would play the Leinster winners etc.

Not taking the McDonagh finalists lightly but you would think that game might be a chance to rest Horgan and Harnedy or at least pull them off early as if we win then we are in action again the next week.
Ideally you hope for a repeat of the Tipp game where Cork gets an early test but puts it to bed early in the second half and can rest player before what will be a war of attrition against either Dublin or Kilkenny.

by T. Leaf Wed May 29, 2024 12:58 pm

Red or Dead wrote:
bittergaaman wrote:Can't help think what might have been if Setanta stayed in Cork
The bigger loss was Sweetnam.
We would have won the final in 2013 with him breaking ball in midfield. C'est la vie.

My memory is not what it used to be, but I only remember Sweetnam playing once for the Cork seniors. It looked like they started him very early in order to persuade him to stay. I remember thinking, jeeze, something here, maybe. But if it really was there, or not, we'll never know.

by Red or Dead Mon Jun 10, 2024 8:11 pm

T. Leaf wrote:
Red or Dead wrote:
bittergaaman wrote:Can't help think what might have been if Setanta stayed in Cork
The bigger loss was Sweetnam.
We would have won the final in 2013 with him breaking ball in midfield. C'est la vie.

My memory is not what it used to be, but I only remember Sweetnam playing once for the Cork seniors. It looked like they started him very early in order to persuade him to stay. I remember thinking, jeeze, something here, maybe. But if it really was there, or not, we'll never know.

He played in at least 4 championship matches in 2012 at 18 years of age.
Made his debut as a sub in the Munster semi loss to Tipp.
Missed the qualifier against Offaly so don't know if he played but he came on as a sub against Wexford in the second qualifier. Came on as a sub against Waterford in the quarters and changed the game. Broke a mountain of ball in midfield and turned the game. Came on as a sub in the semi final loss to Galway which was his last game.
Next season was 2013, would have been his second season and one year older wiser and stronger.
Just feel his cutting presence in midfield in the first match against Clare in the final would have made the difference.
All speculation on my part but based on his previous season and in a match of fine margins like that one was, in my opinion he would have made the difference.

by bittergaaman Thu Jun 13, 2024 9:33 pm

by bittergaaman Thu Jun 13, 2024 9:34 pm

Harnedy injured?

by T. Leaf Fri Jun 14, 2024 12:34 pm

Rumours of some of those changes on PROC. It will be interesting to see how Joyce does at midfield. Ethan Twomey has disappeared as well. Conor Lehane back on. Should drive some of them bananas on PROC. I can almost see the poison dripping down the page. Sean Twomey unlucky not to get a start, but I guess himself and Shane Barrett are too much alike and Barrett is the more experienced.

by Tipp Ex Fri Jun 14, 2024 2:34 pm

Ya why wasnt Sean Twomey started? Perfect chance for him. And one or two of the Roches

by thesciencegeek Fri Jun 14, 2024 2:34 pm

T. Leaf wrote:Rumours of some of those changes on PROC. It will be interesting to see how Joyce does at midfield. Ethan Twomey has disappeared as well. Conor Lehane back on. Should drive some of them bananas on PROC. I can almost see the poison dripping down the page. Sean Twomey unlucky not to get a start, but I guess himself and Shane Barrett are too much alike and Barrett is the more experienced.

Can you tell me why they hate Lehane so much?

If Harnedy, Barret and Dalton are fit then they start in he half forward line.

Robbie O'Flynn is not fully fit.

As much as he might hate it, Shane Kingston shouldn't start but is the perfect super sub.

Lehane will do well against Offaly and even Dublin until the others are ready to go.

I don't see the problem.

by T. Leaf Fri Jun 14, 2024 3:18 pm

thesciencegeek wrote:
T. Leaf wrote:Rumours of some of those changes on PROC. It will be interesting to see how Joyce does at midfield. Ethan Twomey has disappeared as well. Conor Lehane back on. Should drive some of them bananas on PROC. I can almost see the poison dripping down the page. Sean Twomey unlucky not to get a start, but I guess himself and Shane Barrett are too much alike and Barrett is the more experienced.

Can you tell me why they hate Lehane so much?

If Harnedy, Barret and Dalton are fit then they start in he half forward line.

Robbie O'Flynn is not fully fit.

As much as he might hate it, Shane Kingston shouldn't start but is the perfect super sub.

Lehane will do well against Offaly and even Dublin until the others are ready to go.

I don't see the problem.

I remember years ago Paul Flynn (Waterford) narrating how he went into a pub sometime after playing for Waterford. Two Waterford supporters came in without noticing him and started to talk about the match. One, who obviously hadn’t seen the match asked the other, “How did Paul Flynn do today?” “Ah, he was bad,” the other said. “He only scored 2-1.”

Paul Flynn was a man who won many matches for Waterford in the days when they didn’t have as many good players as they have today. Perhaps because of that, anything less than amazing from him wasn’t accepted by Waterford supporters.

When he first came on the scene, Conor Lehane was the Great White Hope for Cork during the beginning of their years in the wilderness. Obviously he wasn’t a physical player, but he wasn’t soft, either, and endured many rough “tackles”. His main fault is that he is easily pushed off the ball if he doesn’t rise it first time. When he was young, he saw himself mainly as a scorer and because of that he is still accused of selfishness, although for years now, his passes have made many scores for others. Some, however, have never forgiven him for not becoming one of the greats.

Up to 12 of February 2023, his total score for Cork was 16-284, spanning 12 years.

by Sean Fri Jun 14, 2024 3:59 pm

Sorry lads but totally disagree on lehane, his form in championship has been way off the last few years imo and he was always up and down before that. No doubting his efforts but the modern game has passed him by, he isn’t a modern day half forward as he isn’t physical enough and doesn’t work hard enough, a lovey player when the game is loose and will possibly score a bag ful tomorrow but that isn’t really the issue, tomorrow in harnedy absence was a game for Twomey who as a big physical player is possibly an option, but this a management team have put some faith I. Lehane which hasn’t worked out to date

by Sinbin Fri Jun 14, 2024 4:42 pm

bittergaaman wrote:Harnedy injured?

And Ethan Twomey???

by Sinbin Fri Jun 14, 2024 4:55 pm

T. Leaf wrote:
thesciencegeek wrote:
T. Leaf wrote:Rumours of some of those changes on PROC. It will be interesting to see how Joyce does at midfield. Ethan Twomey has disappeared as well. Conor Lehane back on. Should drive some of them bananas on PROC. I can almost see the poison dripping down the page. Sean Twomey unlucky not to get a start, but I guess himself and Shane Barrett are too much alike and Barrett is the more experienced.

Can you tell me why they hate Lehane so much?

If Harnedy, Barret and Dalton are fit then they start in he half forward line.

Robbie O'Flynn is not fully fit.

As much as he might hate it, Shane Kingston shouldn't start but is the perfect super sub.

Lehane will do well against Offaly and even Dublin until the others are ready to go.

I don't see the problem.

I remember years ago Paul Flynn (Waterford) narrating how he went into a pub sometime after playing for Waterford. Two Waterford supporters came in without noticing him and started to talk about the match. One, who obviously hadn’t seen the match asked the other, “How did Paul Flynn do today?” “Ah, he was bad,” the other said. “He only scored 2-1.”

Paul Flynn was a man who won many matches for Waterford in the days when they didn’t have as many good players as they have today. Perhaps because of that, anything less than amazing from him wasn’t accepted by Waterford supporters.

When he first came on the scene, Conor Lehane was the Great White Hope for Cork during the beginning of their years in the wilderness. Obviously he wasn’t a physical player, but he wasn’t soft, either, and endured many rough “tackles”. His main fault is that he is easily pushed off the ball if he doesn’t rise it first time. When he was young, he saw himself mainly as a scorer and because of that he is still accused of selfishness, although for years now, his passes have made many scores for others. Some, however, have never forgiven him for not becoming one of the greats.

Up to 12 of February 2023, his total score for Cork was 16-284, spanning 12 years.

Conor Lehane has been much-maligned for years and I've often felt he gets way too much of a raw deal from supporters...mainly from fellas who never held a hurley in their hands in their life.

I understand some of the frustration...anyone who knows anything about hurling can see Lehane is a very talented hurler, but you need a lot more than talent to survive in intercounty hurling these days. Because he's not a physical unit who can go toe to toe with powerful aggressive defenders I can understand the clamour not to play him, but that ignores there are times in games and seasons when a player like Lehane will excel too. A bit like Shane Kingston in this year's set-up...bring either of these two on against tiring legs & bodies when a game is in the melting pot...players like this still have a huge role to play.

Not every hurler can be 6'4" and a powerful physical specimen...would Joe Deane, Seanie McGrath, Tony O'Sullivan or even Seanie O'Leary been able to compete in todays game?

I also get the frustration with inconsistency within games...at times Conor could hit a 15min purple patch & rattle over 3 or 4 pts, and then disappear for whatever reason. He never seemed to be a 70 min player. But saying all that I loved watching him hurl in full flow. And I still think he adds something to the panel this year...horses for courses and all that.

by T. Leaf Sat Jun 15, 2024 2:30 pm

The game (surprise! surprise!) is on GAAGo.

Cork v Offaly

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