Anthony Daly: Can anyone say with confidence that Cork will beat Tipp? 

Cork looked to have rediscovered some of the mojo from last year. On the other hand, where are Waterford? In that context, nobody really has any clue where Cork are at

15 May 2021; Jason Forde of Tipperary in action against Niall Cashman, left, and Billy Hennessy of Cork during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A Round 2 match between Tipperary and Cork at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Every year now, in hurling anyway, the knockout element brings out the animal in everyone, where every team is clawing and battling to stay alive, to keep their season going, to keep that ambition burning. Losses are inevitable along the way but when you’re in the last chance saloon, everyone is seeking to stoke the embers back into a blaze.

Most of that pressure comes later in the season, especially from the All-Ireland quarter-final onwards, but it’s a whole different level of pressure when that heat arrives in May, and before the summer has even warmed up.