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Liam Sheedy: At 3.29 on Sunday, when the boys walk behind the band, they must be confident every box has been ticked

How Pat Ryan and Brian Lohan can take control of their own All-Ireland final destiny

Fri, 19 Jul, 2024 - 09:05

THE hurling mad among us have arrived at the best weekend of the sporting calendar. Albeit a few weeks earlier than we would like and with a build-up a little too rushed to immerse ourselves deep. The split season is a success, but we have not got the optimum structure yet. A tweak or two can deliver better outcomes for all involved. And hopefully that will include a little movement in the schedule to allow room to deepen the connections with supporters and the wider sporting world. Special occasions like Sunday deserve space to blossom and grow the game.

That’s for another day. For Clare and Cork, the build-up is a moment in time to treasure. It’s not a pairing we’d have envisaged when Cork lost their first two matches and Clare collapsed in the last 20 against Limerick. Both sets of players and management deserve significant credit for navigating a journey with those dips.

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