Cork hurlers give us another great memory - we need one more on Sunday July 21st

Another unforgettable summer memory courtesy of the Cork senior hurlers has Rebel supporters dreaming of Liam McCarthy’s return to Leeside.

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a quiet and deserted place a few hours after Cork’s epic Munster SHC victory over Limerick back on Saturday, May 11th.

A magnificent 3-28 to 3-26 success preceded a pitch invasion, flares, thousands of delirious supporters and a pure outpouring of Rebel joy.

Interviews completed, I had a brief moment alone, standing on the edge of the pitch inside an almost empty stadium, trying to take it all in.

There’s little doubt that the win over Limerick saved Part Ryan and his players’ season. 

Little did I or anyone else know what was to come.

Since then, the Rebels have turned momentum from that fateful evening into a juggernaut, culminating in last Sunday’s equally epic All-Ireland semi-final defeat of five-in-a-row chasing history makers.

Before assessing the magnitude of Cork’s Croke Park victory, it’s worth stating how much the Rebel county and its supporters have enhanced this year’s provincial and All-Ireland senior hurling championships.

Not taking anything away from Limerick’s epic four-in-a-row or some of the Munster SHC classics in between, but the army of supporters, thousands of red jerseys filling stadiums and emergence of a serious All-Ireland contender has injected life into an otherwise mundane senior hurling grade.

Would any other county have ensured a Croke Park semi-final sell-out last weekend? 

Would any other county have matched Limerick’s physicality, work rate and sheer will to win over 74 minutes? Would any other county have travelled in such huge numbers?

Maybe but Cork’s supporters knew something was brewing following that must-win provincial championship victory over the All-Ireland champions in May. They have played their part in helping Cork turn their season around.

True, defeats to Waterford and Clare were tough to take at beginning of the championship. 

Yet the manner in which Pat Ryan and his players stuck to their mantra and embarked on a five-match undefeated run to the All-Ireland final is one of the GAA stories of the year.

Nothing is won yet as Ryan quickly pointed out in his immediate post-match interview on the Croke Park side-lines last Sunday. 

The Cork senior manager’s level-headedness and ability to maintain an even keel, either in defeat or victory, has been as important as his matchday selections.

“I thought they were going to come back and bate us, like they do everyone,” Ryan said shortly after the final whistle.

“Our fellas stuck in there and really ground it out. A couple of lads came on and made a bit of a difference for us. 

"We’ve nothing won, we're into an All-Ireland final. Lads will celebrate tonight because you have to celebrate all your victories in amateur sport.

“Fellas will really enjoy it and we'll look after what happens with Clare next week.

“We knew we were going to perform but this is a fantastic Limerick team. We’ll celebrate our victory but what a team they’ve been for the last seven or eight years.” 

Perhaps the most positive aspect of Cork’s 1-28 to 0-29 win over Limerick was that it was not down to any one or two individual performances. 

A similar full fifteen and substitutes effort will be needed against Clare.

Patrick Collins had one of his best days in a Cork goalkeeper’s jersey highlighted by marvellous saves in either half. 

Crucially, Collins’ puck-out delivery was mostly on point throughout the 74 minutes. The full-back line of Niall O’Leary, Eoghan Downey and Sean O’Donoghue stuck to the Limerick forwards like glue.

The half-back line, anchored magnificently by Robert Downey, saw Tim O’Mahony and Mark Coleman make their presence felt in both defence and attack. 

Ciaran Joyce and Darragh Fitzgibbon ran to a standstill in midfield.

Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett and Seamus Harnedy combined for eleven points. 

The full-forward line comprising of history-making Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes contributed 1-12. Hayes’ 1-4 was exactly the standout individual forward display needed against an experienced Limerick rear-guard.

A magnificent all-round display sealed an All-Ireland final berth and upcoming battle with the Banner that will only be eclipsed by the scramble for tickets.

Standing in front of the Rebels and All-Ireland glory is an equally hungry opponent in Brian Lohan’s Clare.

For now, let’s bask in the glow of another unforgettable read and white tinged summer memory rather than focus on what’s needed to claim a first senior All-Ireland hurling title in 19 long years.