Selector William Biggane says Cork U20s are approaching Tipperary test as a Munster semi-final
The Cork Under 20 hurlers are treating Friday’s trip to Tipp as a Munster semi-final as they bid to conclude their round-robin series on a high.
Victory at Semple Stadium would make it ten wins in-a-row for the young Rebels since Ben O’Connor took charge for the 2023 season. It would also ensure a provincial final return, with the teams finishing second and third to face off in the actual semi-final.
In Brendan Cummins’ Tipperary, they are facing a side who have also got off to a perfect start by comfortably beating Limerick and Waterford.
“In all essence, it is a semi-final for us,” said Cork selector William Biggane. “If we win it, we’re guaranteed a place in the final and that’s the way we have to look at it.
“Every game is important, every game you want to win to keep the momentum going. That game will be huge for us – it’s one more box to try to tick.
“There were a few ice packs being thrown around the dressing room after the game on Friday. It’s just about getting fellas right and ready to go again for the Tipp match. We’re used to that now – you have that week-on-week nature to it.”
Cork are chasing back-to-back provincial and All-Ireland titles at this grade as they aim to follow up their 2021 minor success. But Tipperary are coming with a promising young team that won the following year’s minor crown.
In fact, all of Munster’s top-three contenders are founded upon national minor champions at different stages of their development. Clare are backing their 2023 breakthrough team to take the immediate step up and they will likely meet the losers of Friday’s game in the semi-final.
Waterford and Limerick remain winless, although the Treaty gave Cork plenty of torment in a brave 1-25 to 2-20 defeat.
“It was maybe not the performance that we hoped we’d get but we got the result and we move on,” said Biggane.
“A lot of the group are together two years. They do know what they’re at, they know what we want them to do. They don’t panic and they know that there’s plenty of time in games so it’s good to see that the heads are kept.
“They know that if they stay with the plan, they’re able to get themselves back into games. We gave up a couple of frees there at the end. I suppose it’s good practice for our keeper and defenders to be getting a few in – I think they had three frees, we saved two, lost one.”
Biggane credited Jack Leahy (0-14, 10 frees) and Diarmuid ‘Duds’ Healy (0-5) with “coming out firing”. They will seek more from the supporting cast in Thurles.
The bench helped to freshen their approach in the final quarter. Barry Walsh, in his first year out of minor, added energy and scored the killer goal, created by fellow substitute Adam O’Sullivan. The experienced Timmy Wilk also got game time after overcoming an ankle injury. Competition for places remains fierce.
Tipp have a prodigious scorer for Cork to marshal in Darragh McCarthy (1-16 in two games). At senior level, the Toomevara teenager was named the 2023 North Tipperary Hurler of the Year in his first year out of minor. He then led Nenagh CBS to their first-ever Harty Cup in February.
Oisín O’Donoghue, Cathal English, and Senan Butler are other eye-catching attackers. Eoin Horgan’s long puck-outs are another weapon, while captain Ben Currivan drops deep to sweep from centre-back.
Like Cork’s no.6 Óran O’Regan, Currivan is a converted forward who provides excellent distribution. With that extra protection, Tipp have conceded just 1-32 in two games, albeit against the bottom pair.
“Cork won’t be simple, that’s one thing for sure. They are absolutely flying,” said Tipp boss Cummins.
“The form they had three years ago at under-17, they’ve certainly carried it in even without Ben (O’Connor) playing, their centre-back who’s gone to Munster.
“It’s a great challenge. They’ll see it the same as us, an opportunity to grow and try to get better. That’s what we have to try to do.”
MUNSTER UNDER 20 HC (Round 4)
Tipperary v Cork
Friday, May 3
FBD Semple Stadium, 7pm (live TG4)
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