Big match PREVIEW

WITH the expected crowd stretching towards capacity at Croke Park, the scene is set for a high-octane, emotional roller coaster, in keeping with a glorious summer’s hurling.

Cork have the confidence of back-to-back Munster champions and will have learned a hard lesson in staying disciplined from last year’s semi-final. Limerick have the momentum and self-belief from a landmark win over Kilkenny that have revived memories of 1973.

Cork’s classy attack won’t hit the amount of wides that cost Kilkenny last time out but it’s worth remembering Limerick created a glut of goal chances. If it comes down to impact from the bench, and it could very well, Limerick have the superior options to squeeze home. Verdict: Limerick