There was plenty to be admired about Cork's MSHC victory over Clare yesterday, particularly given the injuries, deflections, and retirements that JBM and his backroom team have had to cope with. Anthony Nash, Daniel Kearney, and Seamus Harnedy were the stand-outs, but it was just as encouraging to see the workrate of Patrick Horgan, the impact of Jamie Coughlan, and how you can always depend on Brian Murphy. Full-back line is still a cause for concern, not to mention the perennial urge not to trouble the umpire with the green flag. I don't think anyone in Cork will get too carried away, but it's just a great feeling to be back in a Munster final.
Whereabouts are Cork hurlers now - well I would like to draw a comparison back to Cork footballers in 2006 and the third year of the second coming of Billy Morgan. Morgan had cast the net wide and found the likes of Pearse O'Neill and Donnacha O'Connor who had never featured at underage level - just like Seamus Harnedy. We travelled down to Killarney to face Kerry as 11/2 outsiders, and while it took a replay, collected a first Munster championship in four years. Nobody got too carried away, and Kerry put us back in our place come the semi-final. It was a first step towards lifting the 2010 All-Ireland, but far more crucial was the underage success in the form of All-Ireland under-21 titles in 2007 and 2009 - and that's still where the key to the future of Cork hurling lies. I'll gladly give yesterday or any future victories for the senior hurlers up for a long overdue All-Ireland Minor or Under-21 crown.
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