Cork must harness efficient Alan Connolly to aid attack (and defence)

Alan Connolly has been the epitome of efficiency in an unpredictable Cork side who are both the leading scorers and the most porous defensively so far in the 2024 hurling championship.

The Blackrock club man has had just 15 touches from play in three full games, although a score has been the outcome of 14 of them, leading to 2-12 for Pat Ryan's team.

The 22 year-old has scored 1-08 so far in this championship, but from play he's managed 1-06, assisted a point, and has been fouled for a further 1-04 from frees. He was also denied a goal by a last-ditch challenge which went out for a converted 65. Just once has a Connolly involvement not resulted in a score, when Sean Finn denied him a goal with a superb block with Limerick gathering the breaks.

But what could Connolly and the Rebels be capable of if they were able to at least double the involvements of their young full-forward who has scored 7-12 in six outings in 2024?

Not only are Cork the top scoring team in the championship they were also the top scoring team in Division 1A. Going on to register 3-24 in defeat to Clare, and then 3-28 in a last gasp two-point win over Limerick.

After being physically bullied by Waterford they showed ferocious tenacity and togetherness against Clare and Limerick but purely emotionally-driven performances are unlikely to lead to them consistently coming out on top of these tight encounters. Cork need to show better economy of possession, and decision making around when to go long, when to pursue their running game, and when they need to find Connolly with targeted passes.

While at the other side of the field - over a third of the scores conceded in their win over Limerick last weekend originated from a Cork player being in possession. Which