Cork and Limerick set for battle royal

WHICH county needs victory more in tonight’s Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC final?

Cork, whose senior side limped out of the senior championship last month and have been starved of underage success over the past decade? Or Limerick, who after the positives vibes emanating from year one in the Donal O’Grady era could do with provincial underage silverware to maintain that momentum? For the victors tonight there will be a warm glow about their future prospects as a hurling county. For the losers there will be more doubts and uncertainty. Plenty to play for then.

The mood in both camps should be good. Cork displayed a ruthlessness in plundering four goals when dismantling Tipperary in their semi-final, a trait that has not always been apparent in the county’s hurling teams of late. Running up a total of 4-19 hinted at the potential that can be tapped into in their forward line. Luke O’Farrell’s capabilities at U21 level were known previously while the emergence of last year’s minors Conor Lehane and Jamie Coughlan was a real plus. The aerial prowess of Aidan Walsh at half-forward is a key issue, an area Cork will try to exploit from Darren McCarthy’s puckouts and an area Limerick need to focus on disrupting.