Limerick v Cork: Getting best markers on marquee forwards will be critical at TUS Gaelic Grounds
Brian Hayes of Cork is tackled by Sean Finn of Limerick at Croke Park last year. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
When Cork and Limerick line up against each other on Sunday, there may be eight of the same match-ups that faced off in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final.
Another handful would’ve tagged each other for the Munster Championship epic a couple of months before.
With so much familiarity, the repeat match-ups and new pairings will draw plenty of intrigue at the Gaelic Grounds. Gaining an edge anywhere on the field and driving it home will be decisive.
He scored 1-4 in a totemic semi-final performance, and the high fielder was involved in three goal chances in the round-robin.
It’s a tricky balance for Limerick as their best marker for Hayes may well be Dan Morrissey. Instead, he will be kept close to the square. Seán Finn faced up to him for the round-robin meeting until his half-time injury, when Barry Nash switched across.
In Croker, Mike Casey took on the role. Barry Murphy could be another option, and all are strong and sticky defenders. But Hayes has the height advantage there.
Patrick Horgan was the match-winner in Munster when marked by Nash before Finn’s replacement, Fergal O’Connor, took over on his championship debut. The Glen stalwart had a quieter semi-final when reacquainted with Finn.
Morrissey versus Alan Connolly should be an even tussle. Both players have had their moments in past encounters.
Séamus Harnedy, on the bench on Sunday due to injury, scored 1-6 off Diarmaid Byrnes last year and assisted just as much through his aerial influence. The 2022 Hurler of the Year won’t be short of motivation after his first-half withdrawal in Waterford due to foul trouble.
Shane Barrett ran Declan Hannon ragged both days last year, putting himself in the conversation for Hurler of the Year prior to the final.
A new pairing will meet this time when Darragh Fitzgibbon, the round-robin man-of-the-match, brings his pace and movement against Kyle Hayes’ athleticism and power.
The Charleville dynamo will hope to profit when Hayes has to step back and mind the house. Equally, Cork won’t be able to turn Hayes into a peripheral figure in his new position.
On the other wing, Pat Ryan faced a major call between the resurgent Declan Dalton and the returning Barrett, until Harnedy was ruled out as a starter.
It will make for an entertaining contest in both directions as Nash likes to advance. They can’t drop off his supporting runs.
Midfield promises a titanic tussle. All four will be straining to set the tone right from the throw-in. Ethan Twomey helped to defuse William O’Donoghue’s influence on Leeside.
That means Cian Lynch will likely remain at centre-forward where his movement will have Robert Downey constantly making stick-or-twist decisions. The Glen man has proved highly adept in that department, while dominating the skies under Nickie Quaid’s missiles.
Ciarán Joyce is another strong partner for Gearóid Hegarty, having put in a powerful performance on his Croke Park debut last July. In Joyce’s absence, the St Patrick’s star did some damage in the round-robin.
Mark Coleman found himself under pressure that day but produced one of his best performances of the year in the semi-final. Tom Morrissey looks a likely sparring partner.
Niall O’Leary likes to follow his opponent out the field and show off his hurling ability. A repeat pairing against David Reidy awaits.
These matches were a sign of Eoin Downey’s 2024 progress, which saw him rewarded with an All-Star. Replaced due to an early yellow against hat-trick man Séamus Flanagan in May, he received a vote of confidence to stay on despite a near-identical semi-final booking.
The younger Downey rewarded his manager with a rock-solid display, but his form this year has been iffy.
A major test is in store against Limerick’s new top-scorer from play, Shane O’Brien, as he aims to step it up again.
The Limerick sharp-shooter was sent off for striking O’Donoghue in 2018. In 2023, the Inniscarra defender was unfairly punished for a game-changing penalty on Gillane.
He put in a brave shift on Leeside, only to cough up a couple of costly possessions for Flanagan’s finishes. Gillane was in sharp form up in Dublin on their second day out for 0-10, including six from play.
If O’Donoghue’s place had been questioned, he has provided all the right answers.
Meanwhile, the goalkeepers have played defining roles in these games. Quaid was the hero in 2018 with his famous save from Harnedy.
Patrick Collins’ puck-outs took the plaudits for leading to an incredible 3-15 on Leeside last year.
They would take your hand off for the same again on Sunday.
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