Season on the line for hurlers
A little over 3 weeks ago after demolishing Tipperary, Cork were favourites for the All-Ireland. How the landscape has changed; the Premier County are guaranteed to be hurling into June, but by Sunday, Cork’s season could be over.
There are a big couple of days in football with Kerry in minor and Meath in senior providing stiff tests. Can the camogie championship start without the controversy that has dogged it over the last few weeks?
Sam Maguire Cup
Cork v Meath on Saturday in Páirc Tailteann Navan at 3pm
“It’s been 5 weeks since we played and in that time we have got a good block of work in, the injuries are clearing up so we’re happy enough where we are right now,” said football manager John Cleary as he looks ahead to Saturday’s clash with Meath.
Reflecting on the extra-time loss to Kerry, John said: “We were disappointed obviously; we looked in trouble early on battled back but when you have nine wides in extra-time as against none for your opposition, it’s hard to win.”
John was also very annoyed at the red card given to Sean Brady.
“Very very harsh, we have looked at it several times and still cannot see the justification in it, we thought we could get it overturned but we didn’t and now Sean is out for Saturday,” he mentioned.
There is a familiar look to the group as Meath and Roscommon were both in Division 2 of the league. Cork had a win over Meath but a heavy defeat to the Connacht side.
John was at the Leinster Final and was impressed with Meath even in defeat. “We played them in the league and although we won by 4 points, it’s game we could very well have lost and in the final they just lost their way in the last 10 minutes and it cost them.”
The starting 15 will be interesting, with Brady out and Tommy Walsh doubtful, it’s possible that Sean Meehan and Luke Fahy could come into the equation for defensive duties.
Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan will be the midfield pairing, while in attack Mark Cronin, Brian Hurley, Chris Óg Jones, Brian O’Driscoll and Sean Powter should feature and hopefully deliver the goods.
Meath and Cork always manage to produce lively encounters, and if Cork can build on the excellent display of the Kerry game they might just shade it.
The match is live on C103.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork v Waterford on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm
In his post match interview after the draw with Clare in Ennis, Cork manager Pat Ryan said: “The Munster Championship is a marathon not a sprint.” For both Cork and Waterford, they are now on the final stretch of that marathon.
The maths is simple: if Cork win, they go to the Munster Final - almost certainly in the Gaelic Grounds against Limerick; draw and they get 3rd place and a preliminary QF against the Joe McDonagh winners or runners up; lose and the season is over.
To put that in perspective last week the talk was Cork and Limerick would meet 3 times this season, bookies were paying out on Cork as All-Ireland champions, now the dynamic has changed completely.
I wonder what Peter Queally was thinking around 6pm last Sunday having seen Cork being demolished?
Waterford despite a promising start with a win over Clare, have lost both subsequent games to Limerick and Tipperary.
Cork were blown away by the 7 in a row seeking Munster champions and it was evident that this was a statement by John Kiely’s men.
I don’t think I have ever seen a team so pumped up for a game and even with 10 minutes left, Kiely was as animated as he was at the start, the win and the manner of it meant a lot.
Now where does it leave Cork, at least they control their own destiny. The result from the other game is irrelevant.
Work rate and character were among the words Pat Ryan mentioned: “Our work rate all over the field was not good enough against a really powerful team.”
“I know the character within this group and we will show that on Sunday, we will represent the jersey with pride and the Cork support will really get behind us and they have done for the last couple of years.”
Has Sunday been parked? “In a way it has because we cannot change the result, and with a 7 day turnaround, it’s now down to Sunday an old fashioned Munster Championship match knockout hurling.”
Injuries will impact on the selection, Niall O’Leary, one of the most consistent players all season and Declan Dalton are out.
So who will replace them, will there be a reshuffle in the backs? Ger Mellerick, Damien Cahalane and Cormac O’Brien are obvious contenders to start, but where.
The rest of the team could also be tinkered with, Seamus Harnedy will probably come in for Dalton, with Robbie O’Flynn, Diarmuid Healy and Brian Roche all possibilities for inclusion.
What of Waterford? Their championship record here is poor, they’re a different animal in Walsh Park.
Are they a bit over reliant on Stephen Bennett, but Jamie Barron, Michael Kiely, Dessie Hutchinson won’t fear Cork while Austin Gleeson was held back last Sunday, probably with this game in mind.
Waterford are in the ideal position, complete outsiders and well primed to spring a shock.
Cork just have to respond especially in attack, just 0-3 from play by the starting 6, in what was the heaviest championship defeat since the 2021 All-Ireland Final.
When you consider what full-forward trio had been doing up to now that is a very poor return.
It is hard to believe that Cork’s season could end around 5.30pm on Sunday. For that reason alone and the belief that one poor game does not make them a bad team, I expect a huge response.
Sure Waterford will test them but there is just too much quality in this Cork team for them to fall at this hurdle.
Attitude and application must be right - I expect it will and their season will be extended hopefully into June and beyond. If not a long summer looking on is in store for players and supporters alike, it does not bear thinking about after the drama and excitement this team generated last season.
Let’s get the job done, it’s live on C103.
Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Final
Cork v Kerry in Austin Stack Park Tralee on Friday at 7.35pm
It’s has been a tough few years for Cork underage teams against their nearest neighbours with the Kingdom holding the upper hand. This group of players have already suffered a defeat to tomorrow night’s opposition.
That made it 12 losses in a row; can these lads stem the tide?
In the opening round in Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork actually started well but failure to convert a number of chances ultimately cost them in what a 10 point defeat, a score that was a bit harsh on Cork.
Subsequently Kerry trashed Clare in the semi-final, while it took Cork extra-time to see off a good Tipperary team in Thurles.
So will the tough game benefit Cork or will Kerry once again prevail?
Cork selector Paul Holland was thrilled with the win in Thurles. “Delighted for the lads - they have worked hard all year and remember this is only our 2nd championship game as against 5 for Tipperary and playing at home also helps.”
“At various stages tonight we looked beaten but the lads dug in and got their reward of a Munster Final and of course at the very least two more games as we also go to the All-Ireland QF.”
As for facing Kerry again, “We always felt that that this was going to happen given the structure of the championship. It’s a Munster Final, everyone will write us off,” he said adding that they will give it their best shot.
Kerry were actually behind to Clare in their semi-final but as pulled away to win comfortably with among others Gearoid White, David Sargent, Tadhg O’Connell, Kevin Griffin, Nick Lacey and Ben Kelliher impressive.
Cork struggled for long periods in their semi-final but showed battling qualities to get over the line.
Michael Kiernan and Cathal McCarty were outstanding in defence, Ben Corkery Delaney, Donogh Flynn, Niall O’Callaghan and Eoin Maguire all made important contributions.
The impact off the bench was also crucial; Daniel McCarthy kicked 0-4, while Joe Miskella hit what proved to be the match winning goal.
No question but Kerry are hot favourites to win, Cork will need to show a much improved performance and a consistent 60 plus minutes to upset the odds.
While on minor, it was a great win by the hurlers last Friday night in Thurles and directly into the All-Ireland semi-final in a month’s time.
Well done to all, the only downside was the injury to Callum Coffey and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Camogie
Given the controversy that has dominated the headlines for the last few weeks, hopefully Thursday’s Special Congress will finally bring the shorts/skorts saga to an end and the players can get on with doing what they want to do and play the game.
Hopefully the Senior Championship gets underway on Saturday and champions Cork begin their quest for 3 in a row.
Their opening game is against Limerick in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday at 4pm.
The postponement of the Munster Final denied Cork a championship outing but this should not be an issue as they will have too much in hand for a Limerick side playing in Division 2.
With quality all over in Amy Lee, Laura Tracey, Hannah Looney, Amy O’Connor and Saoirse McCarthy, this will be a routine win for Cork.
It will be proceeded by the Under 23 Championship game between Cork and Kilkenny at 2pm.
Cork were very impressive in winning the Munster title.
Amy Sheppard, Avril Cashman, Edel Sheehan, Erinn Curtin, Ella Wiggington Barrett and Claudia Keane will be big players for Cork, who will look to get their campaign in this newly created championship off to a winning start.