Cork need to go the way of Clare and Waterford to revive glory days

Along with a fresher crop of first-teamers, Kingston’s tenure should be about creating a new identity for the code in the county.

Cork need to go the way of Clare and Waterford to revive glory days

Historically, Cork have been blessed with and nurtured some of the most artistic hurlers ever to grace an inter-county setting, writes Peter McNamara.

The Leonardo da Vincis of the game, if you will. Players whose hurls were more Harry Potter wand than plain ash stick.

Yet, the world is obviously a far different animal now to the days of Christy Ring et al.

Christy Ring pictured after playing Tipperary in 1952.
Christy Ring pictured after playing Tipperary in 1952.

However, it is also a far different animal to when Ben O’Connor was careering down the wing and dissecting the posts with the standard of shot that lead, not only to a white flag, but audible gasps from the masses present.

You know the ones, moments that included O’Connor cheekily but authoritatively bouncing the sliothar off the glistening blades of grass below.

Even the neutrals would nod in appreciation. And heck, even some of the opposing supporters.

Ah, the good old days. How we enjoyed those.

The thing is, we can reminisce until the cows come home of days of yore right up until that hugely successful side in the noughties faded into the background.

The problem is dwelling on such affluence only adds to the frustration.

And said dwelling stems from a subconscious longing to succeed in the old school variations of the ‘Cork style’.

By the by, what is the ‘Cork style’? Are we sure it wasn’t a case that Cork had more skilled players implementing the same ‘style’ as every other county, or even the vast majority of them?

Save, of course, for the aforementioned Wizards of the Noughties who had a definitive style with Newtownshandrum’s prints all over it.

At this point, though, some people are running the risk of sounding like season ticket-holders at Upton Park fawning over that unquantifiable nugget, the ‘West Ham way’. Or soccer managers the world over speaking of their ‘philosophy’.

Give me strength.

In the last 48 hours or so since the Rebels lost to Tipperary in the Munster SHC quarter-final a number of columnists have suggested the Leesiders’ ship is drifting towards the ‘Strand of Irrelevance’.

Cork, it seems, are a non-entity in terms of candidacy for All-Ireland title honours in the short- and medium-term future.

To rid the air of that odorous public perception Kieran Kingston and his management team have to rip up the Cork Guide to Hurling Playing Styles manual.

How will Kieran Kingston's tenure be defined?
How will Kieran Kingston's tenure be defined?

Though, it could be argued, the last few chapters are already on the missing list.

Either way, it’s ridiculously outdated. And with it, the nostalgia of halcyon days.

Along with a fresher crop of first-teamers, Kingston’s tenure should be about creating a new identity for the code in the county.

Cork 2.0.

Or, at the very least, lay foundations which can be utilised to impact positively in the long-term.

The present management’s task, from this very juncture onwards, need not be finding a new broom handle rather engineering a new broom entirely.

So, to be ‘relevant’ again down the line Cork need a more enlightening approach.

We already have new media and people talk of new politics. How about a brand new Cork hurling art-form?

Less da Vinci. More Banksy, a contemporary artist of substance whose work carries hard-hitting messages with plenty of bite.

Banksy’s current. Fresh. Emboldened. Brash. Brazen. Relevant.

Cork hurling is crying out for all of those traits.

So living for the days of the da Vinci-like hurlers is no longer an option.

With that in mind, maybe Kingston wasn’t harsh enough, for the betterment of the code on Leeside, when dropping a number of household names prior to the Championship.

After all, a huge amount of the players that took to the field last Sunday have been given umpteen chances to prove themselves worthy of being truly competitive at this level.

The run to the 2013 All-Ireland final was, as we now know with absolute certainty – even though this theory has been illustrated here previously – the exception rather than the rule.

Credit, obviously, for capturing the provincial title in 2014, however.

Still, examples of performances of real substance are few and far between.

All other avenues are exhausted by now so maybe the personnel that start regularly needs to change.

A lot of judges will argue there are no other players on the club scene capable of competing at senior inter-county level. Maybe, ultimately, those voices will prove true.

My response to those that take such a stance is simplistically this, though: How will we actually know that for sure if we keep deploying the same players game-in, game-out in the contests that really matter?

I bet people would have looked quizzically at the thought of Séamus Harnedy lining out for Cork too before it actually happened due to his being an ‘unfashionable’ club.

Now, of course, St Ita’s can boast an All-Star in their midst. Who knew.

Kingston’s opinion that Cork have to continue to focus on strength and conditioning for long-term gains is an educated one.

In the meantime, players such as Killian Bourke, Paul Haughney, Stephen Murphy and Niall Cashman should all start the All-Ireland Qualifier no matter who Cork’s opponents are.

And maybe draft in more of Blackrock’s up-and-coming stars.

Invest in youth. Allow them to find their feet.

And with it, their own identity.

Honestly, would it be the worst idea in the world to at least include the likes of Newtownshandrum defender Conor Twomey, Blackrock forward Cathal Cormack, Douglas attacker Aaron Ward and Newcestown predator Luke Meade in Kingston’s panel for the All-Ireland Qualifier?

These guys will be involved in Damien Irwin’s U21 set-up this year.

However, there would be no harm in integrating them into the senior panel as well provided it wasn’t placing excessive pressure on the players.

Whether they will sink or swim in the top-grade environment is unknown.

I can see them acquitting themselves effectively, for the record.

But even if they specifically aren’t brought on board, the fact remains a proper shake-up is required.

Not a half-assed effort that will simply lead us back to square one when the focus has to be on competing properly again in three or so years.

Clare and Waterford are proving that youth can prosper in this cut-throat level.

And this is most likely the case because the average age profile of senior inter-county sides appears to be lower now than, say, even five years ago.

Kingston appreciates more than anybody that there is no overnight fix to the ills of Cork hurling at the top-end of the sport.

However, in time, and with an injection of youth, Cork will bridge the gap that exists between themselves and the best around.

Cork 2.0 is possible. But only if we think Banksy. Not da Vinci.

more courts articles

Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape
Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother

More in this section

Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College
Adam O'Sullivan missed final due to Cork U20's upcoming Munster championship Adam O'Sullivan missed final due to Cork U20's upcoming Munster championship
Monaghan v Armagh - Allianz Football League Division 1 Kernan doesn't want return of Armagh 'handcuffs'
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited