This Cork team is one of the all-time greats

I HOPE hurling fans are aware that we are witnessing one of the all-time great teams in action.

What this Cork team has already achieved in reaching four All-Ireland finals in-a-row under the modern system compares very favourably with anything any other side has done.

The fabled four-in-a-row side of the ’40s had to overcome just two teams in 1941 (Limerick in the Munster semi-final, Dublin in the All-Ireland final). They lost to Tipperary in the delayed Munster final, but held their All-Ireland title. They beat four teams in 1942 (Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Dublin). They beat Kerry (8-3 to 2-7), Waterford and Antrim (by 5-16 to 0-4 in the All-Ireland final) in 1943. They beat Tipperary, Limerick, Galway and Dublin (2-13 to 1-2 in the final) in 1944.