IT GOT LOST amidst the despair surrounding Cork hurling after a first championship loss in six decades to Wexford, but there was a significant moment in the frantic finale of that game last July.
In the 68th minute Cork made their final substitution in Semple Stadium, handing a senior bow to an 18-year-old.
Mark Coleman had only finished his Leaving Cert exams the previous month but was fast-tracked to that high-pressure hurling environment.
The Blarney teenager had scant time to make an impression but even after the eventual defeat, it was clear that the investment of faith in bringing Coleman on was a testament to his hurling promise.
If 2016 was a low-key introduction, 2017 has been a major announcement.
The man-of-the-match discussions on The Sunday Game on RTÉ in the aftermath of Cork’s two outings this summer have illustrated the impact Coleman has made.
He was a nominee after the Tipperary game and the winner after last Sunday’s match against Waterford.
The verdict of Waterford’s celebrated player Tony Browne spoke volumes for the influence Coleman had exerted.
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Sean Óg Ó hAilpín is well versed in wing-back play and after becoming coach to the UCC Fresher side last winter, he was observing Coleman’s ability at close quarters.
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“Out of the Freshers I worked with – I remember saying to Tom (Kenny), ‘would you look at this fella striking the ball?’
“Have you seen anyone strike a ball as sweetly as him? He laid down a marker back in October.
“I would have heard of him, as I know a few lads from Blarney who would have said, ‘look out for this guy, Mark Coleman’. I would have heard of him a few years out but it was only last autumn that I laid eyes on him.
“For me it’s clear as day that he’s skilful as hell.”
Seán Óg Ó hAilpín at the 2017 All-Ireland senior hurling championship launch #WeAreHurling Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE
Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
Coleman’s skill was highlighted on Sunday, offering himself as an outlet for Anthony Nash’s puckouts, intelligently switching play crossfield and popping deliveries into the path of Conor Lehane for points.
Ó hAilpín was pleased that he backed up his opening salvo against Tipperary under increased scrutiny.
“What was satisfying for me was how Waterford set out to target him physically, as a 19-year old.
“Austin Gleeson went out to bury him but he rode the tackle and played it on to Harnedy.
“He’ll put on a few kilos anyway in the next few years but look, an ounce of breeding is as good as 10 ounces of feeding.
“All we’d hope for is that he has a long and distinguished career with Cork. He’s off to a great start but there are many challenges and battles ahead.
“Looking at Mark, what he does epitomises what Cork hurling is about – skilful but hard when he needs to be and intelligent in his use of the ball.”
Cork's Mark Coleman and Tipperary's Michael Breen Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Coleman has always showed an eye for creating and taking scores. Cork may not have enjoyed long and prosperous underage campaigns in underage teams he played for but in those defeats the defender’s poise and panache stood out.
He weighed in with 0-5 – three from placed balls – in the 2015 Munster minor semi-final against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds and 1-2 against the same county in the Munster U21 quarter-final last summer in Páirc Uí Rinn.
This season Cork have unleashed him and it was clear from the outset of 2017 that he was earmarked to be a defensive regular.
“We kept young Coleman under wraps for a while but he put on an absolute exhibition there,” remarked selector Pat Hartnett after Sunday’s game.
“It’s a great sign of a player when he has time on the ball even with so many around him.
“We can’t keep it under wraps for too long but it was a great performance and he should be very satisfied.”
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'For me it’s clear as day that he’s skilful as hell' - Teenage defender pointing the way for Cork
IT GOT LOST amidst the despair surrounding Cork hurling after a first championship loss in six decades to Wexford, but there was a significant moment in the frantic finale of that game last July.
In the 68th minute Cork made their final substitution in Semple Stadium, handing a senior bow to an 18-year-old.
Mark Coleman had only finished his Leaving Cert exams the previous month but was fast-tracked to that high-pressure hurling environment.
The Blarney teenager had scant time to make an impression but even after the eventual defeat, it was clear that the investment of faith in bringing Coleman on was a testament to his hurling promise.
If 2016 was a low-key introduction, 2017 has been a major announcement.
The man-of-the-match discussions on The Sunday Game on RTÉ in the aftermath of Cork’s two outings this summer have illustrated the impact Coleman has made.
He was a nominee after the Tipperary game and the winner after last Sunday’s match against Waterford.
The verdict of Waterford’s celebrated player Tony Browne spoke volumes for the influence Coleman had exerted.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Sean Óg Ó hAilpín is well versed in wing-back play and after becoming coach to the UCC Fresher side last winter, he was observing Coleman’s ability at close quarters.
“Out of the Freshers I worked with – I remember saying to Tom (Kenny), ‘would you look at this fella striking the ball?’
“Have you seen anyone strike a ball as sweetly as him? He laid down a marker back in October.
“I would have heard of him, as I know a few lads from Blarney who would have said, ‘look out for this guy, Mark Coleman’. I would have heard of him a few years out but it was only last autumn that I laid eyes on him.
“For me it’s clear as day that he’s skilful as hell.”
Coleman’s skill was highlighted on Sunday, offering himself as an outlet for Anthony Nash’s puckouts, intelligently switching play crossfield and popping deliveries into the path of Conor Lehane for points.
Ó hAilpín was pleased that he backed up his opening salvo against Tipperary under increased scrutiny.
“What was satisfying for me was how Waterford set out to target him physically, as a 19-year old.
“Austin Gleeson went out to bury him but he rode the tackle and played it on to Harnedy.
“He’ll put on a few kilos anyway in the next few years but look, an ounce of breeding is as good as 10 ounces of feeding.
“All we’d hope for is that he has a long and distinguished career with Cork. He’s off to a great start but there are many challenges and battles ahead.
“Looking at Mark, what he does epitomises what Cork hurling is about – skilful but hard when he needs to be and intelligent in his use of the ball.”
Coleman has always showed an eye for creating and taking scores. Cork may not have enjoyed long and prosperous underage campaigns in underage teams he played for but in those defeats the defender’s poise and panache stood out.
He weighed in with 0-5 – three from placed balls – in the 2015 Munster minor semi-final against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds and 1-2 against the same county in the Munster U21 quarter-final last summer in Páirc Uí Rinn.
This season Cork have unleashed him and it was clear from the outset of 2017 that he was earmarked to be a defensive regular.
“We kept young Coleman under wraps for a while but he put on an absolute exhibition there,” remarked selector Pat Hartnett after Sunday’s game.
“It’s a great sign of a player when he has time on the ball even with so many around him.
“We can’t keep it under wraps for too long but it was a great performance and he should be very satisfied.”
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