League Final

[Reillers]

Cork team to face Galway at (the ridiculous hour of) 7pm in Thurles on Sunday

1. Donal Óg Cusack (Cloyne)
2. Shane O'Neill (Bishopstown)
3. Eoin Dillon (Milford)
4. Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers)
5. John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Ronan Curran (St. Finbarr's)
7. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)
8. Tom Kenny (Grenagh)
9. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk)
10. Michael Cussen (Sarsfields)
11. Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields) Captain
12. Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum)
13. Ben O'Connor (Newtownshandrum)
14. Aisake Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)

16. Martin Coleman (Ballinhassig)
17. Shane Murphy (Erin's Own)
18. Michael Walsh (Kildorrery)
19. Ray Ryan (Sarsfields)
20. William Egan (Kilbrin)
21. Graham Callanan (Glen Rovers)
22. Mark O'Sullivan (Dripsey)
23. Jerry O'Connor (Newtownshandrum)
24. Paudie O'Sullivan (Cloyne)

..A fair few surprisese there, especially at 3 and 9. Good luck to all involved, especially the young lads. Can't wait to see how Eoin Dillion goes. Looking forward to it all ready. Summer's almost here!!

[GalwayBayBoy]

Galway make 13 changes from the team that defeated Cork in the final round of the NHL two weeks ago. Injury rules out Fergal Moore and Niall Healy, with Damien Joyce and Iarla Tannian coming in. Tony Og Regan starts at centre back, while Cyril Donnellan returns from suspension to lead the attack. Joe Canning is at full forward.

Galway v Cork SH NHL Final 

Colm Callanan
Damien Joyce
Shane Kavanagh
Ollie Canning
Donal Barry
Tony Og Regan
David Collins
Ger Farragher
David Burke
Aidan Harte
Cyril Donnellan
Andy Smyth
Damien Hayes
Joe Canning
Iarla Tannian

[seafoid]

Irish Times

SEÁN MORAN
Cork v Galway: ONE OF the most surprising aspects of tomorrow's final is that the two counties haven't met before at this stage, given that both have been to the – admittedly not overpopulated – forefront of the game over the past 35 years.
Despite tales of championship woe have accompanied league success for both counties – although Cork see the 1998 win as a big step in the progress to the following year's All-Ireland, in the immediate term they were-well beaten by Clare – there are no inhibitions going into this on either side.
Victory and a piece of national silverware would sit well in both counties and give the winners momentum for the summer.
Their ordinary league match doesn't provide much direction given the vastly different selections on both sides. Each team has injury problems but Galway's look worse in that Fergal Moore had been enjoying an excellent season whereas Niall Healy scored 2-9 in the regulation match in Salthill and would likely have started.
Coverage of Cork's injuries has tended to focus on Eoin Cadogan's unavailability at full back but they are also missing Niall McCarthy, whose form had been good to date. Denis Walsh's decision to pick Eoin Dillon at full back was a logical belief in the need for specialists in a specialist position.
It also perhaps reflects the fact that Dillon played well on the prodigious Joe Canning in the under-21 semi-final of 2007 when a ring-rusty Galway, on the way to the All-Ireland, nearly got caught by Cork and had to go to extra time before progressing. Canning had a stormer that day but mostly when switched out to the 40 after Dillon had done well against him on the edge of the square.
The significance for Cork tomorrow will probably be up front where Walsh decides to run with both of the twin towers, Aisake Ó hAilpín and Michael Cussen, to see if the team can accommodate both of them.
Shane Kavanagh will be in charge of combating the former's influence – ie not fouling him and making it difficult for his opponent to lay off ball.
John Lee's medical exam commitments have disrupted his preparation for the final and he starts on the bench with Tony Regan, who has done well this campaign, at centre back although Lee's big-match temperament may well see him introduced at some stage.
Centrefield will be especially important as the right ball into the full forwards will be vital with Pa Horgan's form so productive and at the other end Joe Canning waiting along with Damien Hayes to pounce. Galway's pairing of Ger Farragher and David Burke is a hurling unit and will need to create the space against the more dynamic-looking Cork combination of Tom Kenny and newcomer Lorcan McLoughlin.
Galway have put in some excellent performances during this league but there are good reasons to believe Cork will win this. They have had a more consistent campaign despite the experimenting and frequent changes of selection.
Crucially the half backs are looking more like their formidable selves with John Gardiner particularly returned to his best form.
Galway's half forwards will have their work cut out to stop the line becoming a platform for Cork's success.


Should be a good match

[dowling]

Fancied Cork before I saw the teams and still have to go with them.
Be interesting to see how Cork go with those boys in for this match.
Hope this brings Galway on for the championship whatever happens.

[orangeman]

Cork for me as well.

[theskull1]

Did gardner buy that penalty? I'd like to think there'd be expenses for that

[theskull1]

6 points is hardly pulling away

[orangeman]

Well done to Galway.


I thought that the "new" Cork would have relived the glory days but alas all is not well with that team.

The 2 big men are not working. Aisake brings nothing to the party - I don't think that you can play both. The big men's touch just isn't there. Too easily disposessed and they throw the head up too easily as well.


Galway were immense with Joe in irrepresible form.


Galway could and should have won by more.


Gardiner bought the penalty alright. Wasn't touched.

Cork all the same won't mind a defeat going into the championship but they'll need to improve a lot to make an impression this year.

[seafoid]

Based on the last few seasons it's clear that cork have a lot to do to get back to the top so I was surprised that they were favourites going into this match. Galway seem to be getting their shit together- I hope it lasts.

[Clarin Pearl]

it is may.....but it is a 2nd trophy. Keep 'er lit Galway!!

[dowling]

Well done to Galway. Played Cork very well. Some number of blocks and kept on top of Cork's half back line. Let's hope they can come up with the goods come championship.
The big men aren't doing the job for Cork at the minute. Be interesting to see what happens come championship. Maybe some of the Cork boys were thinking about the money Sean og talked about and weren't focused on the game.
Called the result wrong but called the pay for play right. Much easier to do.

[imtommygunn]

Excellent game.

Galway were that bit better. Canning is a scoring machine from play as well as dead balls. Until the last 5 minutes he never missed a thing.

Putting Hayes on O'Halpin worked well and that young guy Harte was very good too.

Cork will be dangerous. I don't think the big man approach is working for them. No harm to the two men but their stick work isn't just at the level required. Maybe more time will help. Cussen had a good spell for 10 minutes or so mind. They would be better impact subs. When Damien Joyce, who was too small,  moved of Cussen he didn't count.

The no. 15 for cork, whose name escapes me, gave Ollie Canning a tough time of it and Gardiner was excellent as ever.

Cork were probably short a few more than Galway mind. (I'd guess 2 or maybe 3) Cathal Naughton also remains "potential" yet. Still to do it for me.

[Reillers]

Well done to Galway. Played Cork very well. Some number of blocks and kept on top of Cork's half back line. Let's hope they can come up with the goods come championship.
The big men aren't doing the job for Cork at the minute. Be interesting to see what happens come championship. Maybe some of the Cork boys were thinking about the money Sean og talked about and weren't focused on the game.
Called the result wrong but called the pay for play right. Much easier to do.

Would you ever get over your vendetta against the Cork players. It's borderline insulting at this stage to the players. You know nothing about the players or their characters yet you continue to insult them and judge them.
Your comments are as always out of line, things you've pulled out of your own head and fixation with the Cork hurlers. Get over it ffs. It's nothing short of an obsession.

[Reillers]

A long day to say the least.

It was a good first half but an appauling second half. Galway were the better side and deserved the win.

The Leagues been usefull for Cork and we've experimented well and found out a few things.
Walsh wants to do the direct style which some players are finding it hard to adjust to.

Aisake was shocking, Sean Og as well. They shouldn't have stayed on the pitch.

Our finishing was shocking, decision making was atrocious.

Canning is beyond words, just an incredible hurler, and as always 100 times better when you see him play in at matches instead of tv.
Just sensational.

What a f**king long day. Not a great day, but a whole lot better if we look back at last year.

[Tatler Jack]

Walsh wants to do the direct style which some players are finding it hard to adjust to.

Gerald also wanted a more direct style and the players spent all their time resisting it.

Yes probably somewhat better off than last year but that is only because of the situation created by the players last year. Nothing to suggest that Wlash is any better (or worse) than Gerald. Maybe the players are beginning to realise that it is up to themselves and not always blame someone or something else. Blaming Frank has an expiry date!!!