Patrick Kelly: Can Cork handle the favourite’s tag and deliver?

Brian Hurley of Cork is tackled by Daire Kelly, left, Sam Mulroy of Louth during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Cork and Louth at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The draw that both teams hoped for sees Munster neighbours lock horns with a place in an All-Ireland quarter-final for the victor. Neither side would have been expected to make the final eight and both will see tomorrow’s game as a huge opportunity to advance. Cork will have been doubly delighted with the home advantage meaning two home ties against Division 3 opposition has to be seen as a couple of fortunate draws.

Cork had eight points to spare when these two sides met eleven months ago in a Munster semi-final, but Limerick’s stock has risen since with promotion to Division Two where they will join Cork who survived by the skin of their teeth. Looking for a more recent barometer of where these two teams are at then one would look at their meetings against Louth (Division Three final for Limerick) and Kerry (Munster Championship) and deduce that Cork are still a bit ahead of Billy Lee's side.