Cork v Tipperary: Predicted starting 15 as Rebels likely to remain unchanged

It hinges on the fitness of Séamus Harnedy, but there’s every chance Cork will name an unchanged team from the one that saw off Dublin.

That consistency says everything about the strength of this starting 15. And it’s no slight on the rest of the panel. In fact, the competition for places has reached a level we haven’t seen in years. How often over the last decade could you honestly say that any sub coming in wouldn’t weaken the side? That’s the reality now.

Cork have options everywhere. The backs are rock-solid. The forwards are humming. Even though Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Kingston, Tommy O’Connell, Conor Lehane and Jack O’Connor all made positive impacts off the bench last time out, forcing a change to the starting lineup is still no easy task. Everyone is performing.

NO BETTER CHANCE 

Cork won’t get a better shot at ending the drought.

Patrick Collins has been great this season. His best one yet under Pat Ryan. The corner-back duo of Niall O’Leary and Seán O’Donoghue have been remarkably consistent. You just know what you’re going to get from them now: calm, clever, committed defending.

Eoin Downey between them is growing into a towering presence at full-back — and with one All-Ireland final appearance already, he knows what the big day looks like.

Mark Coleman’s vision, passing and movement have made him such a key piece to this puzzle. Remarkable when you consider he likely wasn’t first choice to start at the beginning of the championship.

Then there’s captain Robert Downey — a natural leader, an anchor, and the heartbeat of the defence. Ciarán Joyce has nailed down the other wing-back slot since stepping up from U20 level three years ago. He hasn’t missed a beat since.

The midfield partnership of Tim O’Mahony and Darragh Fitzgibbon has worked a treat. Declan Dalton was immense on his return. Shane Barrett – while quieter against Dublin – has become a certain starter over the last two seasons. It’s unlikely Barrett loses his place if Harnedy isn’t fit to start.

But if Séamus is available, Cork could move him to the centre, with Diarmuid Healy and Dalton alongside.

Either way, it’s a luxury of choice. That’s the beauty of where this Cork group is right now — stacked with quality, and not enough shirts to go around.

As for the full-forward line? That picks itself. After the way Patrick Horgan, Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly performed in the last outing, there’s no room for debate.

Kingston and Lehane will be unfortunate to miss out — but they’ll be waiting in the wings, and you can be sure they’ll be called upon.

Predicted Cork team v Tipperary:

P Collins;

Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O’Donoghue;

Mark Coleman, Robert Downey, Ciarán Joyce;

Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon;

Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy;

Brian Hayes, Alan Connolly, Patrick Horgan.