Weekend GAA: Limerick's full deck may prove too much for Cork
The Munster SHC final has Sunday to itself. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
If Dublin aren’t talking about themselves being disrespected, then they should be. Any team that beats the two giants of the province and still find themselves underdogs should feel undervalued. For sure, it’s a great way to come into a final especially against a Galway side who haven’t won in Croke Park since their Leinster semi-final over Wexford in 2020.
Galway’s form has declined since the outset of the championship when they appeared All-Ireland contenders never mind provincial ones. Admittedly, they had their full complement of players then and they will be disappointed not to have the dash and panache of Rory Burke here.
It’s difficult to trust both of the announced teams given the 11th hour changes both men either like or have been forced to make. For what they are worth, neither of the named sides lack experience nor pace. Daithí Burke has been trying to make a career away from the full-back position he made his own but for John Hetherton he may have to return to it.
Tagging the roaming Brian Hayes may be the other undivided attention Galway pay to a Dublin player. Just how fit are Cathal Mannion, on whom Dublin will put emphasis, and Aaron Niland? They will have to be for Galway’s sake.
In their forward line, Dublin don’t have such worries, their running ability is one of their strongest suits but they demonstrated in Salthill they can win the overtly tactical battles. They have done enough to be favourites. They can remind people they should have been and engrave a new name on the Bob O’Keeffe Cup.
Verdict: Dublin.
As lower tier teams Kerry, Tyrone and Leitrim have highlighted, topping a table guarantees absolutely nothing in a final. Carlow haven’t truly tested themselves in a few weeks and that will breed a bit of uncertainty even if they were too strong for Laois in the first round back in mid-April.
The Laois team named for this final carries more punch and you can’t discount just how hurt they have been having lost the last two finals. That motivation may just be enough to see off a Carlow side who are going to be there towards the end regardless. Martin Kavanagh and James Doyle will ensure that is the case.
Verdict: Laois.
This could turn out to be one of the great seasons for The Exiles. They were well beaten by Laois the last day but Sligo have been far from impressive and are vulnerable. Verdict: London.
Shaun Nolan is out for the long-term and he will be missed by the visitors, who are in danger of their season dying quickly when it promised a lot. Leitrim will be buoyed by the win over Carlow. They could sneak it. Verdict: Leitrim.
Most indicators point towards a home win but Tipperary have shown guts under Niall Fitzgerald and won’t exit the competition mildly. Verdict: Wicklow.
Down’s indifference was well and truly exposed by Offaly in Round 2 and will be again if they aren’t careful. They should summon enough interest to advance to the quarter-finals. Verdict: Down.
A shot in the dark for Fermanagh and one they will be wary of despite being impressive winners over Wexford in Enniskillen a couple of weeks ago. Verdict: Fermanagh.
Verdict: Cork.
Verdict: Tyrone.
Verdict: Kildare.
Verdict: Roscommon.
A final that has all of Sunday to itself and rightly so. It’s a pairing that promises a lot but can it deliver? The problem when they know each other so intimately, all their wrinkles, bumps and blemishes, that they could cancel each other out. Somebody is going to have to be audacious. Both set-ups are capable of it but that’s no guarantee they will follow through. This is the day to show the least respect to the other and trust in one’s own strengths.
Cork look to extend an unbeaten home record to 13 games. John Kiely’s Limerick are yet to lose a final in normal or extra-time. The immovable object v the irresistible force. Which is which? Cork under Ben O’Connor are certainly a mean bunch and you can’t underestimate Tommy O’Connell’s Duracell-like presence in filling holes. He might not catch the eye like Brian Hayes but he and Darragh O’Donovan for Limerick have vital roles.
Obviously, much will depend on how each half-back line fares. The balance tilts in Limerick’s favour but only just. Substitutes-wise, Cork may have a slight advantage because of the spread of replacements. Limerick are better served in forward auxiliaries, though. Tom Morrissey must be pushing hard for a starting place because he is scoring for fun off the bench. But for a hand injury, Shane O’Brien would likely be starting and David Reidy has the temperament to come into a tempest and cool it down.
Still, it feels like this game will be won by the starters and it’s there Limerick have the advantage. Ciarán Joyce’s absence hasn’t been felt just yet but in an encounter like this, Darragh Fitzgibbon’s will be. Limerick have the full deck. They go to a stadium they enjoy. They have the motivation. Good old revenge – it’s an ugly word in modern day sport. Still, it’s hard beaten.
Verdict: Limerick.
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