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Cork hurling talking points from the draw with Clare

EchoLive.ie, 20 Mar

Rebels hit the last two points to avoid defeat at Cusack Park and now

take on Kilkenny in the league semi-final

Brian Roche of Cork is tackled by Ryan Taylor of Clare on Sunday.

Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

    

Rory Noonan

SPIRIT IN THE CAMP

IT may only be considered a small thing by some, but the spirit in the

camp was plain to see in a little detail before the start of both

halves.

As the starting 15 took to the pitch, the subs, management, and

backroom staff all lined up to applaud them out.

The same thing happened at the start of the second half, in a display

of togetherness in the panel, whether you were starting or on the

bench.

This show of spirit and solidarity displays just how tight a group they

are and it may only be a small thing, but all these things help build

that bond that will be needed for the championship.

Have no doubt something like this comes from the players themselves as

they build for the league semi-final and the upcoming Munster

championship.

CHANGES

With so many changes to the starting 15, it could easily have been

argued that Cork would lose. But all those who came in well and truly

held up their hand to make a stake for next weekend’s clash with

Kilkenny in the league semi-final and further on into the year.

Cork are building a very strong squad and with some established players

out through injury the younger ones who have come in are making sure it

won’t be easy to get their places back.

Manager Pat Ryan now has the type of headache that he wants where he

doesn’t know his starting 15 for the championship at this stage.

The injuries picked up in the league have shown how important strength

in depth is and the Rebels are building a squad they will need with

four championship games in five weeks.

There is a long way to go yet and Ryan won’t be thinking beyond the

league semi-final at this stage, but the signs are good that he will be

in a strong position knowing that whoever is missing he now has someone

to step in.

DETERMINATION

It would have been easy for Cork to have thrown in the towel with a

minute or two to go when Clare went two points up and looked like they

would win.

With nothing really at stake it wouldn’t have mattered in the overall

picture had they gone down by a point or two.

But they showed a determination in those last few minutes that they

weren’t going to be beaten easily and when Conor Cahalane equalised it

was the least Cork deserved.

Conditions didn’t help either side and at times it was hard to play

some decent hurling but Cork kept going to the end and can move on to

next weekend in confident form.

With the blend of young and experienced players we have now there is a

lot more to come from this side and that determination they showed in

those last few minutes will only help to build their confidence even

further going forward.

Late score sees Cork remain undefeated in league as Kilkenny await in

semi-final

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