Eoin Cadogan: Clare are waiting in the long grass for Cork

FORMER Cork dual star Eoin Cadogan is expecting an 'incredible' All-Ireland final on Sunday afternoon at Croke Park.

With Limerick knocked out, Cork and Clare are both fancying their chances to regaining the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

“Both teams will take huge belief in the All-Ireland champions of the last four years being knocked out. Cork will look at it knowing they were the team to beat them twice and Clare will look at it knowing that Limerick aren’t in the final and that Cork are there to be taken down.

“We know in Cork there’s huge support. The Red Army has travelled immensely throughout this campaign and really got kickstarted in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in that win over Limerick. Clare have been very quiet in the build-up so far but they’re waiting in the long grass and will feel that they can match Cork in a lot of areas. We’re in for an incredible All-Ireland final.” 

The powerhouse defender, who won Munster titles with the county in 2014 and 2018 and an All-Ireland football medal in 2010, was speaking exclusively to BoyleSports ahead this weekend’s Croke Park showdown as Cork are set to take to the pitch as marginal 4/6 favourites.

It wouldn’t surprise me if we see a draw in the All-Ireland final, but if there is to be a winner, it’ll be by the narrowest of margins.

“If Cork can bring a similar performance and more from the semi-final and build on that maturity that they’ve shown and the confidence the support has given them, I think they might just scrape over the line.

“There have been question marks about Cork’s consistency, but to back up their earlier performances against Limerick in the semi-final was probably the performance of the semi-final weekend.

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“It was third time lucky for Clare overcoming Kilkenny in the semis, not only will they take huge positives in beating Kilkenny and getting over the line, but they’ll also know they’ve gotten to an All-Ireland final without performing to the level they have in the past. Clare will be the happier of the two sides going into the final, knowing they have a lot more in the tank.

“We saw in the Munster Championship how even it’s been for the two sides,” Cadogan told BoyleSports. “I don’t think the league match between Cork and Clare would’ve counted for much, it’s used as a sounding board and to give players experience. 

From Cork’s perspective, you can see how different their team could be on All-Ireland final day. There’s a lot of familiarity between the two sides and it should make for a cracker.

“We’ve seen the pace and athleticism of both sides, that’s why I think they’re so evenly matched. I think both teams will come out with all guns blazing. Clare will be disappointed with how they started against Kilkenny and that’s something they might have looked at and addressed. You can’t afford to be slow out of the blocks in an All-Ireland final."

Eoin Cadogan teamed up with BoyleSports to preview this weekend’s action. Get paid out early with BoyleSports if your team goes seven points ahead, even if they draw or lose.