The stylists to dictate as hurling classic likely
Tom lined out at full-forward in the 1960 Oireachtas final between Tipperary and Cork, the last time the counties crossed swords in Croke Park. Tom recalled the savage intensity, the ferocious nature of the contest, as was always the case when the counties collided. His memories of the game were as clear as if it had been played in his back garden yesterday.
I said to him: “I hope you are given cause to remember Sunday’s game in years to come.”
The entire hurling public is holding out for a classic to sit alongside the many superb battles played out between Cork and Tipperary.
We were treated to a superb game last week, the first real hurling game of the Championship, but I expect tomorrow’s fare will surpass it.
This game, however, will be in stark contrast to what played out under torrential rain last Sunday. A different style of hurling is to be showcased. Both Cork and Tipperary are strong advocates of open, flowing hurling.
History shows meetings between the two tend to take on a life of their own. Traditionally, when Cork have been favourites, it is Tipperary who come and produce the goods, and vice versa.
Aside from the 70 minutes of war, I am looking forward to the witty and humorous exchanges between the two sets of supporters. They relish these games as much as the players.
It is fair to say that not a single question mark hangs over either forward unit. The same cannot be said of either defence. That is where the doubts lie.
I do not believe Cork will line out as selected. They will again focus on their match-ups and negating the impact of Tipperary’s key players in front of goal. Stephen McDonnell will pick up Seamus Callanan, Shane O’Neill will watch Lar Corbett and Damien Cahalane will be assigned Noel McGrath. Cahalane got a fair trimming off Callanan in the league quarter-final so there is no way the Cork management will allow that pairing to again materialise.
The Cork defence is not as open as last year. Moreover, Aidan Walsh has provided superb protection for the half-back line with his remarkable work-rate, soldiering from one 20m line to the other. Cork conceded no goals in the Munster final, a ringing endorsement of the level they are at.
And they will need to be at their optimum against a side who thrive on raising green flags. One chance is all that Maher, Corbett, Callanan and O’Dwyer require.
A defining battle will arrive in the centre of the field. Shane McGrath will be asked to keep a tight leash on Aidan Walsh, with James Woodlock to scrap it out with Daniel Kearney. It will be interesting to see what mileage these lads clock tomorrow as they are four superb, busy, operators.
The Cork management are obviously confident with Patrick Cronin’s fitness and his presence on the edge of the squad is going to pose questions for Padraig Maher. Maher has a problem marshalling big men, particularly in aerial battles.
Michael Cahill is a notable absentee for Tipp and I am not sure he will be seated in the Hogan Stand come throw-in.
Cahill has been Tipperary’s most consistent and impressive defender in recent years. When you are looking for a dependable Tipperary hurler to pick up either Cadogan or Horgan inside, Cahill is the first name to spring to mind.
Brendan Maher and Kieran Bergin will have their hands full on the flanks as Lehane and Harnedy are going to thrive in the open spaces of Croke Park. Consistency has been Lehane’s stumbling block so a performance is crucial from the young Midleton man.
Reverting back to Tipperary, I’d like to have seen Brendan Maher remain at centre-back. James Barry is now in the number six jersey, he and Bill Cooper could cancel each other out on Sunday.
In the end, this contest will be decided by how the Cork forwards fare against the Tipperary defence. Cork are still hurting from last year. There is an unstinting desire to return to September and atone for 2013.
The pace and movement tomorrow should exceed anything we have witnessed in 2014. The physicality won’t be hectic, the hurling, though, promises much.
I’ve mulled over this game 100 times this week and each time I’ve reached the same conclusion. I’m backing Cork.
