McIntyre: Cork formidable under Walsh

With Cork and Galway getting set to meet for the first time in a national league decider both managers are ensuring they don't get caught up in a media crossfire ahead of Sunday's Thurles throw in.

Denis Walsh and John McIntyre are avoiding making any incendiary remarks that might get pinned up on the opposing county's dressing room wall in Thurles.

The Galway boss reckons the rebels are "formidable" under Walsh's stewardship - a far cry from the state of disarray the leeside hurlers were in when he took over while the Cork manager is praising the "cohesion" in the Tribesmen fashioned by his opposite number.

The Leesiders are looking to win the league title for the first time in 1998 while Galway last collected the trophy in 2004.

The Allianz GAA National Hurling League Division 1 final is the main event in Sunday's double header in Semple Stadium preceded by the Division 2 Final between Clare and Wexford.