Cork and Tipp focus on fresh battle

CORK’S disappointment at losing their Munster SHC title will be shortlived.

A qualifier pairing with Tipperary ensures that the heartache of Semple Stadium must be quickly replaced by focus for a new battle.

And Tipp are in similar mode.

“We are delighted to be in the draw after the close game we had with Limerick on Saturday night,” said Tipperary captain Tommy Dunne.

“Waterford did play very well and showed huge courage when down to 14 men in the Munster Final yesterday.

“Cork are a class team and just because they were beaten yesterday doesn’t make them a bad team. We will probably go into the game as underdogs.”

The omens for a scorefest are good. Their championship meeting in the Munster Final of 2000 produced three goals and 35 points with Cork emerging victorious (0-23 to 3-12).

However, Tipperary will be without Eddie Enright. The Thurles Sarsfields man suffered a serious shoulder injury at Pairc na nGael on Saturday and may miss the remainder of the season.

Elsewhere, All-Ireland champions Kilkenny will face Conor Hayes’ Galway after weekend wins over Dublin and Down respectively.

The sides last met in the championship in 2001 with the Connacht outfit winning 2-15 to 1-13 before going on to lose the All-Ireland final to Tipperary.

Kilkenny skipper Martin Comerford is expecting a more serious examination than that offered in Dr Cullen Park on Saturday night.

“It will be a tough match. They had a great win against Waterford in the League final and look what Waterford have done since.

“The qualifiers is strange territory for us now but we must get on with it and we’ll have to do it the hard way.”

Clare, who hit seven goals past Laois on Saturday night, must await the losers of Sunday’s Guinness Leinster SHC Final between Offaly and Wexford. The Faithful County are managed by former Banner selector Mike McNamara.

In the football championship, All-Ireland champions Tyrone meet Down while Cavan and Derry provide the other all Ulster pairing.

“Every draw is difficult when you are in this side of the draw,” Tyrone manager Mickey Harte said last night.

“You have to be very respectful of every team you draw. It wouldn’t have mattered who we drew. It’s about getting back on the road, and finding out the real truth about ourselves.”

The fitness of Peter Canavan remains a concern for the Tyrone boss however. “We didn’t train since Thursday night. He wasn’t fit to train on Thursday night and he didn’t train for Errigal on Friday night. He’ll have difficulty being ready for this. I’d say he’d be out.”

Harte also has injury concerns over Gavin Devlin, Enda McGinley and Kevin Hughes.

His opposite number Paddy O’Rourke wasn’t downplaying the task ahead of his side either.

“A name comes out of the hat and you have to see how it works out. At this time of year, you’re going out to win every game and it doesn’t matter if it’s Tyrone, Derry, Cork or Dublin.

“I’m sure Tyrone are probably a bit down after losing, but they’ll be coming out fired up in order to rectify the Donegal result.”

Galway, who lost their provincial title yesterday, face Louth. Leitrim, who were defeated in the other Connacht semi-final on Saturday night, have the onerous task of playing Tommy Lyons’ Dublin. However, the Dubs will be without Collie Moran. The Dublin defender broke his arm during a challenge game against Munster SFC finalists Limerick at the weekend.

Wexford, defeated by Westmeath at Croke Park yesterday, will play NFL Division Two champions Offaly. Meath were drawn against Fermanagh, Waterford have Longford, while Clare, the surprise packets of the qualifiers, have been paired with Cork.

Manager John Kennedy hopes that home advantage and the feel good factor in the county after their win against Sligo will all work in his favour.

“It is a tough draw obviously and Cork will be favourites. But there is a good mood in the county after the Sligo game and we’ll be asking the lads to try and repeat that performance,” Kennedy said.

“They played well that day and took the game to Sligo and played a superb game after the break. But Cork will be a different kettle of fish.”

Kennedy will however be without the services of freetaker Colm Mullen who emigrated to the United States last week.

The GAC will meet later this afternoon to finalise dates, times and venues for the qualifiers in both codes.