Lessons learned as Limerick eye final showdown

SHANE GALLAGHER had a ringside seat in the Gaelic Grounds last June when Cork’s late, late show saw them dramatically triumph in the Munster SFC semi-final. The defeat was a savage blow for Limerick after they held the upper head for long stretches, yet the Ballysteen defender believes they can use that experience to their advantage for Sunday’s Munster SFC final.

“You take encouragement from nearly beating them then last year. There hasn’t been too much between us, bar in 2007. In the league it’s been the same and we’ll be hoping we can run them that close now again. But Cork are a form side and everyone’s looking at them as All-Ireland contenders.

“There’s a lot of media hype about them but it’s deserved. From when we played them 12 months ago, I think they’ve improved. Look at their performances during the year and they’ve been playing very well. In the replay against Kerry, they certainly looked like a very good side. As a player you’ll try and block that out, to focus on your own performance.