Hurling Handbags

30th May 2007

Hurling Handbags
Finbarr Barry

Gardiner and O'Grady going through the usual Munster championship formalities

As we predicted last week Clare had no weapon but the siege mentality to take on the Rebels at Semple Stadium. The over hyped "brawl" that took place as the teams ran on to the pitch soaked every last ounce of aggression out of the Banner men, paving the way for a staggeringly swift demolition of Clare's Munster Championship hopes.

After all the worry about finding new young forwards it seems Messers. Cronin, Naughton and Captain Murphy, barely out of nappies, could make starting appearances against the Deise next Sunday week, bringing the perfect mix of youth and experience to the Cork attack.

Cork boss Gerald McCarthy stated from day one that his side needed more goals and while Cronin's stunner just after half time was the only Cork goal, there could have been four by the time the game ended with Cathal Naughton's scintillating effort the most impressive.

Unlike previous years Waterford Bainisteoir Justin McCarthy will have to make allowances for Cork's sudden "net threat" with tighter marking of the Rebel forwards. Such tactics could play into Cork's hands, by freeing up more space in front of goal for the Tom and Jerry Show.

If there was one thing to take away from Thurles last Sunday it was that we got an answer about Cork's running game. Like Cork's hunger for another All Ireland it hasn't gone away.

It now seems at least one, and up to four Cork players (most likely Gardiner, Sully, Brian Murphy and/or Donal Og Cusack and in that order) will be suspended for at least one game pending an appeal. This is most likely to mean a first championship start for Kevin Hartnett who performed well against Waterford in the recent league semi final clash in Thurles.