Leaving Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday I felt sure of one thing; if Cork perform for a whole game with a whole team, they will end the famine
The stadium was rocking pre-game, with the away fans buzzing after the draw with Limerick.
But seconds in and it felt like someone took a pin and burst the balloon. The whole atmosphere changed the second that red card was brandished by referee Johnny Murphy, what was always going to be a struggle for Tipp became an Everest-like challenge.
The Tipp lads couldn't be faulted for effort and once again the genius that is Noel McGrath came on and reminded us all how class is permanent. It was fitting he did so on the day he became the Tipp championship appearance record-holder.
Liam Cahill will take solace in the fact that creating chances was not a major issue. In the first quarter of the game Cork had 11 shots at goal compared to Tipperary’s 10. The major difference lay in the execution as the Rebels scored with nine of their attempts, their opponents converting just three shots.
The more I see of Cork this year the more I believe they will get over the line and end the famine they are experiencing with the absence of Liam MacCarthy on Leeside. Power, pace, skill, strength, they have it all and more.
When it’s 15 v 15 for a full game, I think they will have the answers to all questions asked.
At times on Sunday you could sense the Cork supporters becoming frustrated with some sloppy play from their team in the second half. It’s understandable that they perform better under pressure and it didn’t suit them to have too much time on the ball given their numerical advantage.
Too much time to think allows players to feel that every play needs to be perfect. Perfect is the enemy of good and this Cork forward unit have shown us that they don’t mind how it comes in, but to get it in and as often as possible.
One noticeable part of their play is the ability of their inside forwards to touch a ball down left or right into the path of the support player. Rarely are they going up to field possession, but almost telepathically Brian Hayes will leap up and with the deftest of touches to selflessly play in a team-mate.
It’s almost impossible to defend against. Every defender is aware that Hayes will want to touch it down, but stopping such a strong and skillful man in the air is easier said than done. If Cork continue their winning ways, I fully expect him to feature in the shake-up for Player of the Year.
If it’s not happening on the pitch, the Cork 'finishers’ are primed for action. Watch the clock from minute 48 onwards from now on and you will see those in the bottom five in terms of on field performers start making their way to the sideline. The likes of Luke Meade, Cormac O’Brien, Brian Roche, Shane Kingston, Diarmuid Healy and Robbie O’Flynn are some of those itching to get a starting jersey.
When I glanced down at the tunnel before the match and saw Conor Lehane in full tracksuit and outside the match-day 26, I realised just how strong this current squad are.
Cork used the extra defender to their strength and went short more often than not. Out of goalkeeper Patrick Collins’ 33 puckouts, 24 (87%) were won clean. Compare that to his opposite number Barry Hogan who had no choice at times but to just put it down on the half forward line and Tipperary won 59% of their total puckouts clean.
The lesson to the rest is simple; give Cork an extra body to build platforms for attacks and you may as well be drinking tea out of chocolate teapot, it’s a total waste of time. They will punish you time and time again.
Cork have three weeks to prepare for the arrival of Limerick on Leeside. What a battle that will be and I hope that come minute 73 there are still 30 players on the pitch because if there are we will be talking about another game for the ages in the Munster Championship.
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