Rebels get nod, but it could be close
That day Cork found themselves four points down after 10 minutes, but were rescued by James Masters who scored all but one of their tally.
When the two counties met in the first round last year at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork eased home 2-14 to 0-7, with Masters top scorer on 1-7.
However, there is no Masters for tomorrow’s clash, and the Cork side chosen includes only six that started in 2006 - Alan Quirke, Graham Canty, Noel O’Leary, Ger Spillane, Nicholas Murphy and Fintan Goould - though the Leesiders did finish with three more players who will start tomorrow -, Sean O’Brien, Donncha O’Connor and Daniel Goulding.
Limerick have had the dubious benefit of a championship outing; three weeks ago they beat Tipperary in Fermoy in an extremely poor game, and gave coach Mickey O’Sullivan plenty to ponder on ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final. It took the Shannonsiders 35 minutes to open their account before they recorded a less-than-impressive victory.
Despite that, Limerick will rise to the Cork challenge, and with home advantage, will fancy their chances, provided they play to their potential.
For Cork to succeed tomorrow they must contain Stephen Kelly and Stephen Lavin, who were the only bright spots for Limerick in the opening round, where Kelly’s pace caused endless problems and Lavin’s surging runs from centre back also troubled Tipperary.
Cork have made eight changes from the team which lost to Kerry in last year’s All-Ireland final. Newcomers Diarmuid Duggan, Paudie Kissane, Brian O’Regan, Alan O’Connor, Sean O’Brien, Fintan Gould, Daniel Goulding and John Hayes have all played senior with the county, but three of them, O’Regan, Kissane and O’Connor are making his championship debuts tomorrow.
O’Sullivan won’t need reminding his side must improve greatly on their first round form to have any chance of causing an upset. The visitors will start favourites, but it could be a lot closer than people think.
Verdict: Cork
