He always holds his own against Tony Kelly too which is important when you play Clare. I think Cork will get out of Munster. They weren’t far off it last year and additions of Coleman, Connolly and a few fellas putting their hands up like Tommy O Connell will improve them no end. I think it will be between Tipp and Clare for 3rd spot.
He does but Tony still manages to score 1-4 or whatever from play. Last year management got it very badly wrong with Tommy O’Connell stuck on him for way too long.
In theory Cork look better set yes but sport is rarely so linear.
I still think Tipp could improve. However, Kennedy is a major loss. He’s been quality IMO in recent years and has real athleticism which Tipp seem to lack in the middle third.
Yeah Kennedy is a huge loss alright. The ACL is one that seems to hit a lot of players once they hit their 30s. Brendan Maher did it at a similar juncture in his career. Kennedy has that pace and athleticism that is in short supply. He was been edged out of half back line though with Bowe being switched back. Was switched to midfield then but probably wouldnt be a starter there. He played a couple of games in half forward line last year too so hard to pin point where he sat with Cahills plans. Very versatile player though and a huge loss.
Look, Limerick will win at a canter but Cork have as much of a chance as anybody else of being second best, in fact that’s how I see it going
I’d start Sean Twomey as well tbh, not sure he is up to it but he showed a little bit about him, but Dalton will get the start with Harnedy on the other wing. Shame we have seen nothing of Ethan Twomey.
Has Twomey done anything at senior intercounty to suggest he’s good enough? He was a talented underage player, for sure, but I don’t really remember ever making any sort of impact at senior level (I know he’s had injuries, etc too).
Connolly & Coleman are probably the two big hopes for Cork to be better than last year. Connolly is different to Cork’s other inside forwards, very direct and likes a goal. And obviously Coleman does have ability, just where does he fit in.
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Which Twomey? Both are just getting a proper run-out now, impossible to say anything about their senior impact when they have barely played. I suppose Sean Twomey has been there a decent bit longer but not enough gametime imo.
Not bothered by Coleman tbh. Him and Fitzgibbon are the two most over-rated players in Cork hurling. We need new blood and the likes of Dalton, Connolly, Hayes etc to offer something new.
Most counties would kill to have players like Coleman and fitzgibbon. Lads with searing pace and ability like fitzgibbon are in short supply.
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Re Coleman; drop Hoggie andplay a third midfielder.
Workrate not important?
Coleman and Fitzgibbon are brilliant hurlers but its Rubby League players you need now to play this running/throwing/swarming/rucking type modern game.
Ah thats where you’re going wrong
Sean. I just wonder if he’s a bit overrated in certain quarters just because he’s big & strong, which Cork have maybe lacked.
I do like the look of Ethan Twomey alright.
You just dont know what lads are capable of until they play championship. He offers something different. Picking fast and skillful players for all 6 forward positions is no good. You have to get the balance of your attack right. I know you know that.
They were more effective when they broke on the scene in 2017 than they are now and its a microcosm of how the game has changed.
Or maybe its a sign of lads who dont see the need to marry their undoubted natural talent with the intensity needed to reach the very top, like say a Cian Lynch does
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100%, I believe that.
I’m just not sure he’s the one to provide that balance, I’d have question marks over his work rate despite his size. He has a good paw but what does he do with the ball after it. From what I remember at underage, he used to do a lot of damage from sitting back in the pocket and taking passes from others.
Brian Roche is one I like though.
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2017 championship was woeful. Waterford made the final.
You can work hard all you like Horgan won’t try a leg and teams like Limerick will just pass it about until they find his man.
If one person doesn’t work hard it’s sole destroying for any team.
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2017 was a brilliant Championship. Waterford were good.
200,000 people attended the All Ireland Quarter Finals and Semi Finals that year.
For context, only 140,000 attended the same games last year and 125,000 in 2022.
Kilkenny were better in 2017 than they were in 2022/2023 and they barely won a game in 2017 yet got to Final’s in 2022 and 2023. That under lights qualifier with Waterford in Thurles was a brilliant game.
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