John Horgan on hurling: Predicting who will win Clare v Cork and Tipp against Limerick 

If recent form is a guideline, particularly during the national league, very few if any would be putting their hard-earned bobs on Clare in next Sunday’s Munster SHC opener against Cork in Cusack Park.

The Banner County might be the reigning All-Ireland champions, they might have had the edge over Cork in championship clashes inside and outside the province, but the signs have not been promising of late.

Of course, all bets are off at about 3.30pm on Sunday and it won’t be before then that we’ll know exactly what is the current state of affairs with Brian Lohan’s men.

The league was a bit of a disaster for them; just one victory in their six group games and their subsequent relegation from Division 1A to 1B. However, the one victory that they did achieve was against their fiercest foe from Shannonside, defeating John Kiely’s team on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-21.

That was probably the one game that they had set their sights on winning and in that regard it was a significant result.

It was always going to be a big ask again for them after last season’s league and championship double to come back out with all guns blazing. Too much was expected at the beginning of the new season.

Arguably, what has been worse for them than their relegation woes was the loss of Shane O’Donnell for a lengthy period and unless we are being codded completely, last season’s Hurler of the Year won’t be back in action anytime soon.

Given the depth of all inter-county squads now, should the absence of just one player make so much of a difference?

The initial answer would be no, but O’Donnell is a class act and his performances throughout 2024 were major contributory factors on their journey to the podium in the Hogan Stand last July. How substantial a loss he will be won’t be revealed until after Sunday, and the three Munster championship games that will follow.

DAMAGE

But it must be said too that no county is a one-man team and there is a wealth of talent in this Clare set-up. The side contains one of the country’s best all-time hurlers in Tony Kelly and we are still very aware of the damage he did against Cork last July.

And his threat is something that Pat Ryan’s men must be very aware of on Sunday and trying to curb that threat will surely be prioritised.

The Cork-Clare rivalry has evolved significantly in recent years and the expectation is that a fierce, physical battle awaits in this latest installment.

Lohan did not prioritise the secondary competition this time but he would not have enjoyed the six-goal rout from Cork back in March.

And where motivational tools are concerned, that battering would have been in the conversation on the training ground in the weeks since.

It was hugely controversial in the end last July when Cork were denied what was a blatant free at the death but it was Clare’s day and they just about shaded it.

But that’s all history now and it’s a near certainty that the Clare team that performed so poorly in the league and the one that will line out next Sunday will be chalk and cheese.

Peter Duggan is sure to be a big threat inside, and his physical presence must be curbed from the outset.

If it’s himself and Eoin Downey it will be just one of many battles.

John Conlon is still a considerable presence at centre-back, but in Darragh Fitzgibbon, he will be facing one of the big stars in Cork’s league title journey.

Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan, David McInerney, and Cathal Malone are all formidable operators, while Mark Rodgers, free-taker Aidan McCarthy, and Ryan Taylor can punish with the right supply.

Throw in David Fitzgerald and Darragh Lohan around the middle, and what you have is a solid presence all over the park.

Cork were by far the best unit in the league — , apart from the group game against Tipp — and their ability to convert goal-scoring opportunities was a sight to behold at times. However, don’t be expecting another six goals this time on the same sod against the same opposition.

Squad depth is now a huge positive for this Cork team and right now they may have moved ahead of Limerick in that department. Niall O’Leary has, arguably, been the best defender during the league, while the return to form of Sean O’Donoghue has been another plus.

Rob Downey has taken to the captaincy like a duck takes to water and that has not always been the case in the past with those entrusted with that honour, he is certainly leading by example.

The right combination seems to have been found at midfield with Tim Mahoney and Ethan Twomey while the attack as a unit has been the best in the country and even without some key players the difference has been minimal.

Brian Hayes, Alan Connolly, and the great one from the Glen, Patrick Horgan, are sure to be uppermost in Brian Lohan’s thoughts in advance of Sunday.

There are options everywhere and there would have been a couple of disappointed players at the team announcement.

But that’s the way it is now with this Cork squad, you seize the opportunity when it’s presented, and what you have, you try to hold.

Clare will have been very aware of the hype that is now running through Leeside — another reason to try and put a big dent in that. However, at this point in time, Cork are carrying the greater artillery up front and if one or two players have an off day you have more than adequate replacements.

Expect one hell of a physical battle, the scoreline miles off what it was in the league, but given their current status, it will be a bit of a surprise if Cork don’t bag the points.

GREAT GUNS

In Thurles, we’ll get the first real read of the year on Limerick because they didn’t seem to be a whole pile interested in the league. Tipp were going great guns until they arrived on Leeside last Sunday week, and that capitulation, particularly in the first half, has to be concerning.

John Kiely will have witnessed that and it’s likely his men will go for the jugular from the outset, in an attempt to put the game to bed early, as Cork did in the league final.

On home soil, expect a response from Liam Cahill’s men, but all the smart money has to be going on Limerick.

On Sunday at around half past five, we will all be that bit more wiser about the direction this Munster championship might be going, before Waterford enter the arena a week later.

Verdict: Expect Cork and Limerick to fire the opening shots and make an early statement of intent.