O'Connor: We play on the edge - everyone is on the edge
Cork manager Ben O'Connor said he was encouraging his team to play "on the edge" following his team's seven-point win over Tipperary in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night.
The Munster champions saw off the All-Ireland champions by seven points in a repeat of last year's Croke Park decider, with both teams reduced to 14 men after a prolonged melee on the stroke of half-time.
With Cork leading 0-16 to 0-12 on 33 minutes after what had been a breezy and free-flowing opening half hour, a flashpoint involving the majority of players on both team was sparked, which dragged on for several minutes.
After a seven-minute stoppage, referee Liam Gordon first booked Alan Connolly and Willie Connors and then red carded Shane Barrett and Jason Forde. With the clock nearly at 40 minutes, Gordon promptly blew the half-time whistle, which generated some confusion on the sideline.
"I just want to know why he blew it up three minutes early," O'Connor told RTÉ Sport, when asked what he had discussed with Gordon as they headed down the tunnel.
"Bit of a schemozzle started on 32 or 33 minutes and it was blown up. I just want to know why we wouldn't play on after that. Only thing I asked him."
Last weekend, O'Connor's post-match comments in Salthill generated headlines when he lashed out those who were seeking to "cleanse" hurling and clamp down on physicality.
Asked about the first-half brawl, O'Connor stressed that no one was hurt but argued that referees were under too much pressure from assessors.
He added that he did encourage Cork to play "on the edge", though said that was no different to any elite hurling team.
"Was there anyone hurt? No, and there was pushing and shoving," said O'Connor.
"That's all I saw going on there again tonight. Pushing and shoving between two teams that were mad to have a go at it.
"What other county aren't on the edge? Everyone's on the edge. So, yes, we're saying play on the edge because everyone's on the edge. That's the way the game's supposed to be played.
"Just to go back to my comments last week, referees are under too much pressure.
"Red cards, yellow cards, technical areas, they're under too much pressure."Let them go away and referee the match the way they see it and not have an assessor in the stand, putting him under pressure after, [saying] you didn't tick these box, you didn't tick that box.
"That's all I'm saying. That's what every GAA person in the country wants. A good, hard, physical game.
"Mycro [Sportsgear] are saving lives and eyes all over the country with helmets. We're supposed to be playing the fastest field game in the world. If I'm running at you at full pelt and you come at me, slightly turn and flick [me] in the head. Fellas roaring for red cards, yellow cards.
"That's what the helmets are for. No fellas are getting a belt down on the head deliberately. All we're looking for is the game to be left flow."
As for the win, which means Cork sit top of the table as the only remaining unbeaten side, O'Connor was fairly phlegmatic but content with their progress.
"Ah, sure tis only league, like. We're delighted to get the win and we'll be going out next down in three weeks time to Kilkenny to get the win again.
"So look, we're just building. It's great now that we've three weeks off and we don't have to worry about being beaten tonight.
"So, all good."
