Tony Considine on why Ciarán Joyce needs to be restored to Cork’s backline

BEFORE I go on about this game, I want to acknowledge the achievements made by Offaly hurling this year.

Firstly, by winning the All-Ireland U20 title, and secondly, winning the McDonagh Cup to get them back in the top tier of hurling next year. 

Offaly is a very small county with only a few hurling clubs, and what they have achieved this year has been outstanding. A lot of great work being done at underage level in Offaly. 

Michael Duignan, the chairman has started all that over the last number of years and you have to admire the great work he has done. 

Of course, he knew what was required having played at the top level himself, in both hurling and football for Offaly, and winning All-Ireland titles in hurling for them. So, he definitely knew what was needed to bring them back to the top level again. 

I would like to see more ex-inter-county players getting involved at board level, as they can bring all their experience with them, and I also think it is very good for the game. Michael brought in managers like Leo O’Connor, who has done a fine job with both the minors and U20s in the last number of years. 

Also, Johnny Kelly, who has managed the senior team, is doing a fine job too. 

It will take a few years for Offaly to reach their full potential, and they are definitely on the right road to do that with all the structures they have put in place, and fair play to them. It is good to see them back at the top level again.

Now onto Cork. In Tullamore on Saturday evening it was a sea of red.

Cork brought a massive amount of supporters, and they are beginning to believe. And it is the team creating that. 

They were always going to win this game, but you would know from how they performed, they haven’t played for a few weeks, and that took away a bit of their momentum. 

Having shown very good form in the last two games in the round-robin series, and especially the victory against Limerick, this form has won over the Cork fans, one of the big reasons for the Cork public are following them now. 

DANGEROUS

I could hear a lot of chat going on amongst them about who they will be playing in the All-Ireland semi-final. That can be very dangerous talk, with another obstacle to negotiate next weekend called Dublin. 

Sometimes supporters can get carried away and get very hungry for success. 

Speaking to some of the supporters after this game, while they were happy with the win, they definitely were not very happy with the performance, but performances cannot be perfect every day. 

Most important thing for Cork in this game was to get over the line… move on.

Pat Ryan and his management still have problems to solve. When they look back on this game, the first thing they will examine is their defence and how they coped. 

Wayne Sherlock, one of Pat’s selectors was one of the finest defenders that ever played for Cork. He was consistent every day he put on the jersey. 

I’m sure he will be having a few words with some of the backs after this game about defending properly, but above all, he will be telling them about how consistent they have to be for every ball as a defender. 

Some of the Cork defenders did not play well in this game, not dominating as they should be, and conceding 3-19 to a second-tier team tells you that. 

I would say that only for Patrick Collins they would have conceded a few more goals. Collins has taken some stick in the past but I have to say he was Cork’s best defender in this game. He showed good leadership and his puck-outs were good as well. 

If Cork have six better defenders than Ciaran Joyce then I have not seen them. I know they tried him at midfield in this game, but I believe he is needed further back in any of the positions.

The Cork attack was very good in this game, but I still think they need the leadership of Seamus Harnedy. He is a major ball-winner for them and always seems to get scores when they are needed. 

Shane Barrett is also showing great leadership, but his injury is a worry for the Cork management as they will need him against Dublin. 

OFF DAY

Alan Connolly was taken off in this game, and rightly so. But he is still a dangerous player, just had an off day. 

Patrick Horgan will always get his frees, surprised he went for a goal from the first free he took, but took his goal very well in the second half – showed all his experience. But space won’t be as available against Dublin the next day. 

Declan Dalton got some good scores before he was taken off, but still needs to work a bit harder. Brian Hayes the same thing, another big physical player, also able to take his goals. 

But I would think the marking will be tighter the next day and they will need all that physicality against Dublin, a Dublin team that will be out to make amends after the heavy defeat in the Leinster final.  

A tough game ahead for Cork… way, way tougher than what they faced in Tullamore. 

I’m sure Pat Ryan will be letting them know that during the week.