Jimmy Barry-Murphy: Cork have been forewarned — and hopefully forearmed

DANGEROUS OPPOSITION: Cork legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy has backed the Cork hurlers to negotiate their way past a stern Dublin test at Croke Park on Saturday evening. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Cork legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy has backed the Cork hurlers to overcome a stern Dublin test at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

Cork and Dublin have taken different routes to get here, one more scenic than the other.

Pat Ryan's Rebels negotiated their way through the Munster round-robin and onto a meeting with John Kiely’s Limerick in the provincial SHC final they eventually won in magnificent fashion after a penalty shootout.

For Dublin, it was different. Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s men built through the Leinster SHC and having qualified, took care of Kildare and turned their focus to Limerick.

Chris Crummey’s dismissal after 15 minutes made the difficult task an almost impossible one, but thanks to goals from John Hetherton and Cian O’Sullivan, they earned the scalp of the last 50 years and a semi-final date with Cork.

Barry-Murphy feels that result has “forewarned” Cork of the threat Dublin pose.

“I have huge respect for Dublin, I couldn’t believe that they beat Limerick, I didn’t see that coming, particularly when I saw the man getting sent off,” Barry-Murphy said, speaking at the All-Star Hurling Legends event at the Imperial Hotel, in the company of Tomás Mulcahy, Liam Sheedy, Eddie Brennan andSeán Óg Ó hAilpín.

“In the modern game, the way players use the ball, no team with 14 men ever seem to come out and win. Tremendous credit to Dublin and their management.

“Cork have been forewarned, and hopefully it means Cork are forearmed. After last year’s final, the hunger is there.

“They’ve built huge momentum after the Munster final, but it’s something they’ve got to live with now; the pressure of being hot favourites, but I think they are well able for that, but it’s going to be a huge test.” 

The St Finbarr’s clubman continued: “Trying to get to an All-Ireland final, this is a huge day when so much can go wrong and that is where the pressure could build on Cork, but I think we have the players that can beat Dublin.

“We’ll be taking nothing for granted because it’s a dangerous, dangerous game.” 

The multi-time All-Ireland-winning player and manager believes Ryan has managed to hit the right balance with his team selection, but acknowledged the unavailability of talisman Seamus Harnedy.

“He (Harnedy) is a big loss. Damien Cahalane played well in the Munster final, unlucky to lose his place. I think Pat has just decided Niall O’Leary has been our best back all year. I think he has picked the right team in fairness to him.

“Duds (Diarmuid) Healy has been fantastic. It was a big ask in the Munster final, I thought he played very, very well. Declan Dalton is coming back in.

“He will suit the game against Dublin, and Pat has a lot of subs now; Cahalane, Shane Kingston, Conor Lehane, Robbie O’Flynn, all ready to come in. It’s a strong squad.”