Rebels in line for captial punishment
NHL DIVISION 2 (Round 1) At Pairc Ui Chaoimh Sunday, February 8 at 2.30pm Cork v Dublin REFEREE: JOHNNY RYAN (TIPPERARY)
Alternative manager? Seanie McGrath puts the 2008 Cork hurling panel through its paces during training at Mallow at the weekend Credit: PICTURE: MATT BROWNE.
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AS was the case last year, Dublin will provide the opposition in Cork's opening game in the National Hurling League. The clash at Parnell Park eleven months ago was expected to be a tricky assignment for the Leesiders, who hadn't played a competitive match since bowing out to Waterford in the 2007 All-Ireland quarter final replay.
In opting to support the footballers in their dispute with the County Board, the hurlers had missed out on their opening two league fixtures against Kilkenny and Waterford. As well as that, the players had done little or no collective training, and they were bound to be at a disadvantage in terms of sharpness and match-fitness. All of which augured well for Dublin's prospects of registering a rare win over the ringrusty Rebels.
Aware that Cork were vulnerable, the wind-backed Dubs came out with all guns blazing, and they had opened up a nine-point gap after 20 minutes. But Cork managed to brush away the cobwebs towards the end of the first half, and the signs were ominous for the home side when they turned over leading by just six points.
Cork eventually ran out winners by five points, a margin that was slightly flattering on the general run of the play. In light of their lengthy lay-off, however, it was an encouraging display, and it was sufficient to suggest that Cork were unlikely to be troubled by Dublin were they to meet again in the near future. As thing transpired, they renewed rivalry in a championship qualifier at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last July, and Cork were fortunate to come away with a 1-17 to 0-15 win.
The consensus afterwards was that Cork had performed well below par, while Dublin's creditable showing failed to alter the perception that they were anything other than a moderate outfit. For next Sunday's league clash at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, however, Dublin will be going in as firm favourites. The reason of course is that they will be facing a Cork team, which won't include any of the 30 players who comprised the 2008 squad.
They are in dispute with the County Board over the decision to reappoint Gerald McCarthy as team coach, and they won't be returning to duty unless a new management is installed. It means that McCarthy will be heading into the Dublin game with a group of players that is very inexperienced, and isn't nearly ready to measure up at inter-county level.
The message from the Cork management is that they couldn't be happier with the application displayed by their new charges. But defeat by WIT in the Waterford Crystal competition and in a few challenges games over the past few weeks has done nothing to allay fears that they are in for a torrid time in the league.
It's on the cards that Dublin will avail of the opportunity to become the first team to benefit from the Cork hurling crisis on Sunday.
- Noel Horgan
