Lorcán McLoughlin confident Cork can end long wait for All-Ireland glory on Sunday

Former Cork hurler Lorcán McLoughlin believes the Rebels can end the long wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup this weekend.

The Leesiders face Clare in the All-Ireland SHC final on Sunday in Croke Park with throw-in at 3.30pm. Cork haven’t won the big prize since 2005.

McLoughlin, a key part of the Rebels team from 2010 to 2018, was involved in the All-Ireland final defeat after a replay to Clare in 2013, feels there is something different about this current crop of players.

“The hype is back on the back of a brilliant performance against a top class side in Limerick,” he says.

“It was a top class performance in Croke Park so the confidence would be through the roof. The buzz is back. It’s great for Cork hurling in general. I think the way Cork managed the Limerick game, there was great maturity. They fought fire with fire. They are ticking an awful lot of boxes but the game management especially in the second half was exceptional. It was a fantastic win.

“It’s concerning the lack of final appearances over the last 20 years or so for Cork but I do think there’s something different about this team. They are getting big scores, beating top-quality opposition and they have been bolstered by successful underage teams, the minors and U20s. Maybe Clare had that in 2013 and I think Cork have that now.” 

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

The excitement on Leeside over the past week or so has been uplifting with the big day getting ever so close, another five days to wait. With the Cork public getting giddy, McLoughlin who has experience of playing in an All-Ireland final, has no doubt the players will be in the best possible position to face the Clare challenge on Sunday.

“I think Pat [Ryan] has a great way of turning situations into positive things,” he said.

Other people at this stage would be shying away, keeping players away from the media and all that, but Pat is the type of guy that will embrace this. 

"He will tell the players to enjoy this build up. It’s a great occasion and it’s a great time for Cork hurling. Pat gets all that. It’s a privilege to be in that position. There’s a huge amount of positivity out there, people with their Cork jerseys on and flags and banners everywhere. Pat will lean into that and it will help the players I feel.” 

McLoughlin, who was in midfield for the drawn and replay encounters against Clare in the 2013 All-Ireland decider, feels this latest episode is different from when they met 11 years ago.

“In a way, they are similar but in other ways, they are polar opposites,” the Kanturk dual player says.

“In 2013, both teams came from nowhere really to get to an All-Ireland final and the two games just took off. This year now you have Clare who have been pretty consistent for the last few years, contesting Limerick on a number of occasions. Cork have beaten Limerick twice this season and are coming into this one in a really, really strong position. 

Clare have shown form though, they are the league champions and beat Kilkenny in the semi-final.

“Cork have a lot of experience and have success in terms of that they have players who have Munster titles and lads who won underage medals. They have a lot of success in the team. Clare still have a few from that 2013 winning side and have been consistent.” 

The burning question on Leeside is will the Liam MacCarthy Cup be coming home next Monday for the first time since 2005?

“I think the 2021 final defeat to Limerick will help the team. The management has changed but it will help the players in terms of their preparation and how to deal with it. I just think this Cork team has something different about them. Even the numbers that are travelling to the games. Even the last day against Limerick, the crowd travelled up the road with expectation.

“I am backing Cork all the way. I think they will win. It would mean everything. It would set the tone for the next few years, they just need to land that Liam MacCarthy Cup. An All-Ireland title is critical.”