Rebels ready to tap into senior nous for a much-needed lift
it’S a sign of Cork’s traditional standing that a county chasing a first all-ireland in 20 years – the competition only dates back just over half a century – still stands atop the roll of honour with 11 titles.
that a win here will push Cork clear of joint-placed Kilkenny in the honours list will only add another small layer of rebel motivation.
the last time they lifted the trophy, a crew of all-too familiar faces were at the heart of backto-back titles in 1997-98.
this was the stellar cast that featured front-of-house characters such donal Óg Cusack, diarmuid o’Sullivan, Wayne Sherlock, Seán Óg Ó hailpín and Joe deane. it’s easy to draw a line between Cork’s failure to land a punch in the grade since then and the allireland senior drought that is now 13 years and counting.
this final presents the perfect opportunity to right that record and redeem a summer that saw a second successive Munster senior title devalued by the failure to kick on.
Watching a Limerick team go all the way when Cork had their foot on the throat of the champions in waiting in the allireland semi-final will only fuel an Under 21 team that is propped up by senior statesmen.
a one-sided Munster final against tipperary opposition showcased their talent.
Mark Coleman with the trademark flourish of the stick before he slots a sideline ball. Shane Kingston running free and picking off four points.
robbie o’Flynn’s pace causing untold problems, racing through for a first half goal and finishing with 1-1.
declan dalton marking himself out as one to watch with seven points, including a sideline and four frees, showing the full range of his talents.
the match was over before tipperary knew it – a missed penalty early on summing up their day.
in a one-sided all-ireland semi-final, it was tim o’Mahony’s rangy presence at full-forward for Cork that took a wrecking ball to Wexford’s ambition, finding the net twice within the opening nine minutes to set the tone.
denis ring’s charges have made a habit of hitting the ground running.
if tipperary allow them another fast start then it’s hard to see a team littered with senior experience, not to mention the physical conditioning that goes with it, faltering.
that Cork have been averaging 2-23 a game says everything about their scoring power.
For tipperary, Jake Morris carries much of their scoring hopes. He was in devastating form in the semi-final against galway, hitting 1-9, to ensure he wouldn’t just be remembered this summer as the player who hit the post in the pivotal endgame of the Munster round-robin series at senior level, Clare going up the field and goaling within 30 seconds via ian galvin.
Putting 3-17 up against galway in the semi-final was part of the restorative process for tipperary, who know they are far better than they showed in the Munster final.
the spiky edge to that game suggests that they had a point to prove in terms of a real backbone.
given Liam Cahill’s aspirations for the senior job, this is like an open audition. Someone with a proven track record with underage tipperary teams is going to have a plan for Cork a second time around.
the unusual 5.30pm throw-in shouldn’t deter the big crowd expected, Cork supporters have been waiting too long to celebrate an all-ireland title.
there is too much class in the ranks to slip up here, in what hopefully will be the perfect sign-off to a thrilling hurling summer.