Cork hurlers deliver a performance for the ages against Limerick to reach the All-Ireland final
Cork players Tommy O'Connell, left, and Seán O'Donoghue celebrate after their side's victory in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Limerick and Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
An outstanding performance and unforgettable result, that Cork Croke Park performance on Sunday will be cherished forever.
It’s still hard to believe that Cork did it, but now they’re one win away from an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title for the first time since 2005.
Three years ago, they were last in this position, but it’s a vastly different story this time around.
It’s Cork and Clare rather than Cork and Limerick, and that’s something that everyone in Cork will be happy about.
Their five in-a-row has been stopped dead - and how better than for it to be at the hands of Cork?
It makes it so much sweeter.
This kind of situation for the Rebels was simply unthinkable a few months ago, and yet here we are - this team are All-Ireland finalists once more.
It’s safe to say that both winning sides were the underdogs heading into last weekend, but it didn’t matter as Clare fought back to snatch the win at the third semi-final attempt against Kilkenny, before Cork stunned Limerick.
Not only will this be a decider without John Kiely’s men, but it also means that we’ll be seeing a repeat of the 2013 final, and a chance to make amends for that too.
It doesn’t get better than this from a Cork perspective.
For most of the Cork team - it was their best individual performance of the year.
Eoin and Rob Downey were at their peak, with the latter dominant in the air against Limerick and immovable at centre back.
Brian Hayes was lethal up front, constantly imposing himself on Mike Casey and Sean Finn. He has been excellent this season.
Darragh Fitzgibbon put in yet another exceptional display, making it look easy from midfield as he has done all year - but he worked particularly hard throughout this one.
Following on with the hard workers - Seamus Harnedy and Ciarán Joyce made life so difficult for Limerick with their unrelenting press and physicality on the ball.
Trying to choose a man of the match is an impossible task, and everyone’s answer will be different.
For me, though, there’s one man who edges it.
When you look at where Patrick Collins is now and compare that to 2022 - Cork’s last knockout run, and the quarter-final defeat to Galway, it’s a completely different picture.
Like the rest of his Cork teammates - the turn around has been quite spectacular, but Collins’ display on Sunday was breathtaking.
There’s no way to describe the saves he made. It was truly inspiring, and a perfect synopsis of his efforts throughout the game.
Collins led by example, and despite employing such a risky puckout strategy - barring a few minor mishaps, he made it work, and it was integral to Cork’s win.
In the last few years, there have been criticisms of the squad’s determination and willingness to do everything to win the game.
Collins was prepared to sacrifice his life if it meant Limerick would be beaten, and he wasn’t the only one out there willing to do anything for the win.
The entire team brought a completely new level of drive, exceeding the effort they put in during the Munster fixture.
It was Cork hurling at its absolute peak, and you can see how much the players have worked for this.
Shane Barrett has gone from being any other squad player to one of the best hurlers in the country in just one season.
Of course, time will tell if he can maintain that level, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to. He’s a fantastic talent and has delivered in every single game in 2024.
Cork managed to outshine the reigning champions and do so when the stakes are highest.
Regardless of the outcome in the final, what this group have achieved in 2024 has been special. Knocking Limerick out alone is something that every team has tried and failed to do for almost five years.
You can be sure one of the biggest motivating factors in that dressing room last weekend was the opportunity to eliminate the Treaty.
When you look back at the hopelessness, we all felt after losing to Clare, no one could have pictured this.
Limerick have been dethroned, and Cork are one step away from glory.
Now the Banner await, and there’s a chance to make up for the 2013 decider
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