Cork v Limerick: I think hurlers will make two changes for knockout Páirc clash

FORMER Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeared on Gary Neville’s ‘The Overlap’ two months ago to talk about his time at the club, more specifically during his period as manager.

While talking through it all with Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher and the likes, there’s one thing Ole said that really stuck out to me. 

“You sack about 14 players every game, and the next morning, you’ve got to say, ‘you’ve got a new job again, you’ve got a chance next time’, and there’s only a certain amount of times you can say that.” 

I imagine that is what Pat Ryan must have felt on the way home from Walsh Park after the first round of the Munster Championship.

The management team spent the entire league campaign putting a plan in place for the first round of Munster.

From the outside, it looked as though Conor Lehane would operate as a deep playmaker, looking to pick out the forwards with pace on the wings, while Tommy O’Connell would work as a defensive midfielder protecting the back six and moving between the lines, with Darragh Fitzgibbon surging forward and joining the attack, adding a little more conviction to Cork’s shooting.

Yet it all came crashing down at the first hurdle, as evident by the six changes made for the following week against Clare, and the complete tactical shift.

Granted, the performance was much improved, but it didn’t work. Cork still fell short.

It’s possible that we could see another shakeup this weekend because the Rebels aren’t going to endure a more difficult game in 2024 than this one.

LIMERICK’S SHORTCOMINGS 

While the Treaty did improve from their last-gasp win over Clare, they’ve not had the best of starts to a Championship season despite picking up all four points.

Their control in games so far has come in the latter stages, with Limerick seemingly slow starters this year. A stagnant first half against the Banner had John Kiely’s side behind by five at the break.

It was the same story in the second half until they grabbed that first goal through Diarmuid Byrnes. They powered back and snatched the win right at the death. While their display against Tipperary was much more convincing, it still held remnants of the disappointing start against Clare.

The teams weren’t separated by more than two points in the first 25 minutes, but Limerick surged ahead at the end of the first 35 to take a commanding five-point lead, which they strengthened in the latter period after a dominant display.

The Treaty have not been themselves when shooting from play this year – scoring just 46% of shots against Clare, and an improved 58% against Tipperary. Cork have to use that to their aid.

In front of the Páirc again, Ryan’s side need to make the home crowd advantage count with a sharp start and an early goal.

Limerick will no doubt have spells where they are in control, but it becomes a lot easier to weather that storm if you’re not already chasing the game. If Cork aren’t on it from the first whistle, I could see this ending with a defeat margin in double digits.

TEAM SELECTION 

It’s tough to pick a team when the line-ups have been so different between the two games played previously, but with zero points from two games there will likely be at least a few more minor changes.

Questions over Patrick Collins’ position in the team will certainly arise – but do you drop him now? 

Is it worth taking the risk to give Brion Saunderson his championship debut against Limerick in a must-win game?

I can’t see Ryan making that call, but if Collins struggles again and Cork lose, Brion could be between the posts against Tipperary.

Some continuity within the back six might help, though Mark Coleman should return to his position in the half-back line, at the expense of one of the two Downey brothers.

Ethan Twomey’s performance in the middle of the park was a positive one, but Pat Ryan may want to reintroduce Ger Millerick to add some pace and experience to the team.

A fast start for Cork requires pace – meaning one of Shane Kingston and Robbie O’Flynn should get the nod, though I’d prefer to see both in the first 15... 

Cork need every goal threat they can muster if they’re to come away with something from this game.

MY PREDICTED STARTING 15:

Patrick Collins;

Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O’Donoghue;

Tim O’Mahony, Ciarán Joyce, Mark Coleman;

Ger Millerick, Darragh Fitzgibbon;

Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Seamus Harnedy;

Robbie O’Flynn, Alan Connolly, Patrick Horgan.