Prediction: Tipperary and Cork set for another Munster hurling classic

The attraction of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship comes down to the simple fact that anyone can beat anyone on any given day. The round-robin format has made this four-game series one of the most competitive in any sport.

We were treated to two fantastic games of hurling last weekend. All four teams doing everything possible to get a result, leaving us with two drawn contests. It was the first time the opening weekend of action yielded two draws since the round-robin format was introduced in 2018.

For Tipperary and manager Liam Cahill, they travel to Cork with no reason to be fearful.

LEAGUE PROWESS 

Tipperary improved dramatically this year in the league. That was clear very early on.

They hammered Galway, beat Wexford comfortably. They may have fallen short against Limerick, but the win over Cork in Thurles showed they were really starting to turn a corner. Getting out of Munster this year is very much on the cards.

Having been so disappointing in the last two Munster campaigns, Cahill targeted a turnaround in the league and a rekindling of the relationship between players and supporters.

That was achieved, and the Premier County finished the league strongly to qualify for the final.

While the decider was disappointing from a Tipp point of view, particularly in the first half – they carried their league momentum into the first round of championship with Limerick.

Jake Morris starred. Darragh McCarthy impressed on his first senior championship start, getting the equalising free at the end. Noel McGrath and younger brother John were both on form, the latter getting two pivotal goals.

Full-back Eoghan Connolly was impressive, and had four frees to go with his performance. Limerick may have been disappointed not to get the win but Tipperary showed that fighting spirit Cahill had demanded earlier in the year.

RIVALRY 

Cork and Tipperary is one of the most storied rivalries across the history of the GAA. The attraction of Tipp may have waned in recent years, but that didn’t stop the two teams from serving up a classic in 2023. This one will likely follow that trend.

Tipp have made a huge leap. So too have Cork. Both teams will be confident of getting the win.

But for Tipperary in particular, they will be desperate to make amends – not just for their league final defeat – but for the decimation they suffered in Thurles at the hands of Cork last year. The Rebels won by a staggering 18 points. This is an opportunity for the Premier County to put that well and truly behind them.

GOALS 

Tipperary may not have been as trigger-happy in front of goal as the Rebels were during the league, but they still finished with nine goals in seven games. Green flags could very well be the decider in this contest.

Tipperary had seven different players share in those nine green flags. Cork had 10 different goalscorers from their 17 goals in the league. Brian Hayes chief among them with five majors, plus his two against Clare. His presence in the air could make a huge difference on Sunday.

Partner that with Alan Connolly’s ability to come up with goals and points from any situation when he’s at his best, as well as Darragh Fitzgibbon, Ethan Twomey and Tim O’Mahony when they run at the opposition – Tipp will have their hands full.

Verdict: Cork by 3 points.