Tony Considine: How many Cork hurlers would make the Limerick team, four, maybe five?

A BIG weekend coming up at the big house. 

It's great to have the two games on the same weekend, but I think the timing of the Saturday game could have been 6pm to facilitate supporters. Then again, hard to suit everyone. 

It's good to be there whatever the time. With Kilkenny and Clare on first, at least Cork and Limerick will know who they'll be meeting in the final. Could it be an all-Munster final or will Kilkenny spoil the party, which they like to do? It should be a great contest and a very hard game to call. 

FRESH

Kilkenny will go in as favourites having been very impressive in the Leinster final. I've been impressed by Kilkenny and they usually perform in Croke Park. 

But Clare are a fresher team this year and I believe they will give a big performance. And that could be enough to get them over the line.

The game of the weekend has to be Cork-Limerick. Limerick going for five in a row, which has never been done before, but there is a big obstacle in their way here.

Cork are really looking forward to this challenge. I was at a golf classic in Charleville during the week, and by God is there rivalry on the border. A lot of Cork people seem to be sick to the teeth of Limerick winning at this stage. 

Of course, there are a lot of Limerick people living around the Charleville area and they like to remind the Cork people they are the top dogs in hurling now. No wonder the locals are sick of it! 

You can't beat border rivalry. Where would the game be without it?

Let's go back to the Limerick-Cork game in the Munster championship this year. Cork were on their knees going into that game and had to win it to stay alive. Boy did they go about winning it from the word go taking on Limerick all over the field, and even bullying them, which is not an easy thing to do. 

Cork were full of fire and aggression that night, with players standing up all over the pitch, especially in the first 35 minutes, and should really have been out of sight at half-time. 

They were still eight points up when it could have easily have been double that. Why were Cork so impressive? In my opinion, they targeted the right areas especially the Limerick half-back line with Shane Barrett giving Declan Hannon the run-around, pulling him all over the place. 

Seamus Harnedy was doing likewise to Diarmaid Byrnes. And Darragh Fitzgibbon dominated midfield. 

These were the main reasons that Cork won.

Limerick watched Cork celebrating that night, and they did celebrate big time. Remember though, after all Cork's dominance Limerick were still four points up going down the home stretch when Cork got a few breaks at the end of the game to win it. 

RECORD STRAIGHT

Limerick are still hurting after that night as they felt they were in a winning position and let it slip. So they will be really looking forward to this game to see if they can put the record straight.

Analysing the teams, how many from Cork would make it onto the Limerick team? Four or maybe at most five? 

That doesn't sound too good for Cork. 

Can the Cork players give the performance of a lifetime in Croke Park? Will Croke Park suit this Cork team, because as we know, it definitely suits Limerick? 

Will the same players have the same influence they had in the Páirc a few months ago? They will need to have even more. 

Limerick are a different team in Croke Park. After all, they have won five All-Irelands there in six years. That experience is invaluable. 

Cork must start very well and need to attack Limerick from the word go and use the wide open spaces to their advantage. 

Will they attack the Limerick half-back line again? I'm sure Kyle Hayes and company will be ready for all that, and there is a bit of history between Hayes and Declan Dalton since the last game. They'll be getting to know one another early, as will a lot of other players.

Cork have Limerick beaten already this year, but can they do it when the stakes are high? Do it when it matters? 

Believe me, it really matters on Sunday.