Former Cork selector Seanie McGrath feels the Rebels could thrive in a ‘one-off’ knock-out hurling Championship.
GAA chiefs may be forced to abandon hurling’s provincial group format if time is at a premium for a condensed Championship later this year.
McGrath reckons the win at all costs element of a knock-out structure would suit Cork.
The Rebels have won just 50 per cent of their group games since the provincial group format was introduced in 2018.
McGrath told Cork’s 96FM that he believes a win or bust structure would favour Kieran Kingston’s team.
The former All-Star said: “In a weird way, the knock-out scene might actually suit Cork a little bit better.
“We’re not winning All-Irelands so obviously that’s disappointing but we have been desperately competitive in the Munster Championship.
“Last year we were going for three-in-a-row after winning it in ‘17 and ‘18 and we probably
have some of the most exceptional talents in the game within Cork.
“So definitely there are a lot of positives.
“I suppose we just have this tendency over the (Munster) group series that it doesn’t seem to suit us and last year was testament to that.
“But when the chips were down we went to Limerick and we got a marvellous win which kind of put us back on track a bit. So that kind of one-off scene might even suit us better.”
Cork lost to Tipperary and Clare in last year’s provincial series and their summer was cut short by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
That meant Cork ended their first decade since the 1880s without winning at least one senior All-Ireland hurling title.
They came so close when McGrath was a selector in 2013 but lost to Clare after an agonising All-Ireland final replay.
McGrath remains upbeat and said: “We’re not in the doldrums. But you’re measured on All-Ireland titles and you see Limerick winning of late and Galway just behind them, we just have to be winning All-Ireland titles.
“Is the club scene strong enough? Are we producing enough at schools level? I’m not sure. But if I was to call it critically I’d say we’re still probably a little bit behind the hunting pack, the real favourites, but with those exceptional talents within the team you always have a chance.
“Those fellas would include Patrick Horgan, Alan Cadogan, Conor Lehane, I’m a huge fan of his. If fellas like Conor get their form back then we have a great chance.
“Seamie Harnedy is continuing to play great stuff for club and county. If the backs, if one or two of them could tighten up a bit, we still have an exceptional ‘keeper in Anthony Nash. So there’s huge positives throughout the team. We probably just need to get that bit more consistency into our play to have a really, really solid chance.”
