Motivation may give Cork the edge

THE last thing the Cork management wanted after the emphatic win over Clare was to hear their team being talked of as strong contenders for the Guinness All-Ireland hurling title.

They may well prove to be in the running, but it's hardly logical to regard them so highly on the basis of one outstanding performance and a proud tradition.

Any assessment of their prospects in tomorrow's Munster final in Thurles (3.30) should take account of what happened 12 months ago in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.