Former Cork manager John Meyler is hugely impressed with the Rebels thus far in 2023. The Lee-siders have flown out of the traps, winning the Munster Hurling League, and topping the Division 1A table with an unbeaten run.
Meyler feels that Cork are moving well under Pat Ryan.
“I think they’ve been going really well,” he told Our Game.
“The first day out against Limerick, Limerick took the foot off the gas in the last 20 minutes of the game, made substitutions and that. Cork were competitive that day, and they’ve done really well in the league to date with the young fellas. And they’ve tried a lot of the young fellas. Eoin Downey at full-back, Ethan Twomey, they’ve brought in the young fellas.
“It’s very positive. The work rate has gone up from previous years. They’re scoring. Then you also have, Lehane came on last week, Seamus is back in again, there’s positive signs. Young energetic young players.”
A must-win tie
The Rebels face Kilkenny in Sunday’s Division 1 semi-final, and Meyler feels the game is a must-win for the visitors at UPMC Nowlan Park.
“The usual games against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be hard. And Cork are going to get the test that they wanted,” he outlines.
“It’s vital that Cork win that game on Sunday and give them another game before the Munster Championship, because they’re not out the first weekend in the Munster Championship, so they’re going into the second round of fixtures cold. I think they need another game in two weeks’ time in the league final. So it’s very important.
“But it’s going to be difficult, looking at the environment they’re going to be in. Kilkenny have not exactly been flying on all cylinders. Bits of stuttering here and there. But they’re into a semi-final, and you know they’ll take semi-finals. They’ll go at it, Cork will turn up on Sunday, and Cork need that extra game to get over them.”
The winners on Nore-side will take on Tipperary or Limerick in the Division 1 decider.
