Midfield battle will be decisive

Limerick have had four weeks to prepare for this final with no injuries and no distractions.

Full control for four weeks, enough time to improve on skills, physical and mental preparation, nutrition, hydration and crucially enough rest time built in. Basically a manager’s dream.

Since the Clare win a number of Cork players have been involved in club championship, others had football commitments and there are some injuries. Not an ideal run-in to the game for Cork manager Jimmy Barry- Murphy.