Cork, the softest of cunts (Part 2)

Sport
983

For such a stylish hurler he has a particularly clunky free taking style.

984

What way were the cork backs lined up in the first half at all? Rob downey was closer to the full back line than centre back a lot of the time but I don’t think Joyce came out further? Downey took over massively second half at 6 proper. Between the two Downeys and Joyce O’Connor now has three lads who can play full, centre or wing back and he seems happy enough to move them around if needs be.

985

Neither of the Downey twins can play full back effectively.

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986

I didn’t say they could play there well.

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987

Niall O’Leary went out to the half back line and Downey was on Tobin for a lot of the first half. They switched early in the second after Darragh Mc came on

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988

I’ve been waiting for Cork to bring back in the long puckouts to the full forward line that were so successful the last two years but no sign of them yet. Cork did more damage to Limerick from their half forward line than the much feared full forward line in the Munster final last year. Limerick kept the space between the two back lines tight and were happy enough to let cork score points from outside with the full forward line well held and no goals conceded. I presume limerick will have the same approach this year. O’Connor might have caught on to this a bit.

989

Cheers I didn’t know who had come out. Strange set up. O’Connor seems happy to detail his backs as man markers rather than have them in what he sees as their positions.

990

I wonder are they holding something back. They had shown all their best moves by the final last year and we all know what happened.

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991

A fine win yesterday. Well done to all - not easy to come in to a game like that and deliver a performance under that type of scrutiny.

The game was won in the middle third after half-time. We dominated their puckout and that gave us a platform to continue to create shooting chances.

I was very impressed with the new guys in the forwards. Obviously they’re very highly rated down here, but it was hugeoy encouraging to see them well able for the rough and tumble of Munster championship. Buckley was lightning onto a few contested breaking balls in the second half and Walsh’s tackling is better than a lot of more experienced players.

A worry - we really failed to get our ff line on enough ball. It was obviously an instruction at half-time, as the number of deliveries inside improved thereafter but still not enough.
To be fair, Maher and Doyle were tight throughout - both obviously top class.

So far Joyce to FB looks to have made us a bit more solid back there? Maybe early to say yet with Gillane coming to town next week.

I think yesterday was very important from a psychological healing perspective. I still have doubts as to our capability of winning the AI just a year out from last July, but yesterday was a great way to kickstart the campaign.

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992

Anyone have the half-time go games of whatever teams for the Cork-Tipp game, someone told me I had a cousin playing.

993

From a coaching perspective, the adjustment is understandable. Last year exposed vulnerabilities in the inside line, Cork exerted greater control with their short passing, support play and direct running; this game model reduces turnover risk and stabilises attacking play. But this felt like an overcorrection. In prioritising security, Cork limited their ability to fully exploit periods of dominance.

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995

In a good bit of bother if Joyce is out for an extended period. SOD full back with Millerick in the corner? What is the status with Daire O’Leary?

Two new lads struggled a bit; Walsh needs to look for passes to people in better positions whilr Buckley was very nervy. Don’t think Walsh and Healy showed much off the bench so I’d guess we’ll see the same team next day injuries depending.

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996

Landers🙄

997

DOL back fit.

998

That’s a huge blow for Joyce. He was playing mighty stuff at 3 even though he doesn’t like the position. You’d have to be very concerned about our fb line now.

Time for O’Brien or Mullins to step up now for the next few weeks in Rob Downey’s absence. Eoin will fill in at 6.

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999

Very disappointing for Joyce, looked like he could have the fullback spot sorted. I’d go with Daire O’Leary there now over Cahalane. COB in at wing back with Eoin at 6 as you said. Our defensive depth is already a lot shallower than our forwards

1000

I thought Twomey did alright in the league at half-back but I’d imagine it’s between Mullins/COB.

1001

Which game did Twomey play in the HB line?

1002

He played there against Limerick in Waterford Crystal league anyway.