Cork v Tipperary: Chance for Rebels to scratch an itch

It may only be February. It may only be a league game. But you can be sure this one will feel like a little more for the Cork hurlers when they take on Tipperary tomorrow at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

We have seen this before. Clare were thumped in Ennis, as Cork put six goals beyond the reigning All-Ireland champions. Of course, winning in March 2025 did nothing to soften the blow of the previous year’s All-Ireland final. This one won’t either.

Because Cork are carrying an itch into this fixture. One that hasn’t gone away. One that needs scratching.

Whatever unfolds tomorrow night will not shape either county’s championship prospects. It will not define a season. But for Cork, it will be personal. And that is usually when league games can be a touch sharper.

And if Cork are to scratch that itch, they’ll need to bring their best yet, because Tipperary have cruised through their first two league meetings with an elegance and comfort that has only been matched by Cork in this early phase of the season.

Under Liam Cahill, now into his fourth season, Tipperary are attempting something the county have not managed since 1965. Defending an All-Ireland title.

EARLY WARNINGS 

From the outset his team were not tipped to retain their crown, but the quality of their panel suggest they’re better placed to do so than Tipperary are being given credit for.

Tipperary have their confidence back, and they’ve got a stream of talent that has come on board over the last couple of years. A stream of talent that’s being backed up by what’s yet to come through. Nenagh CBS’s Harty triumph is the latest point to that fact, four Harty Cups in a row now for Tipperary schools.

This year’s panel looks stronger again.

There has been turnover. Kieran Cummins, Gavin O’Halloran, Conor Bowe, Joe Fogarty, Billy Seymour, David Nolan and Danny Slattery are all gone.

Taking their places are more from last year’s U20 winning side. Everyone already knows the score with Darragh McCarthy, Sam O’Farrell and Oisin O’Donoghue – the three were double All-Ireland winners last season – but there are more of that contingent pushing for a place in this year’s picture.

Paddy McCormack, who struck 2-1 in the U20 final win over Kilkenny, made his first competitive senior start against Offaly last weekend and marked it with a goal. Conor Martin, Adam Daly and Cathal English are all pressing hard for relevance.

And all of that is layered on top of what is already there.

Ronan Maher. Michael Breen. Séamus Kennedy. Noel and John McGrath. Jason Forde. Jake Morris. Willie Connors. There’s a level of experience and depth there that few counties can match.

Their opening two league performances support that claim, too. They beat Galway well in the opening round, before then making eight changes to the starting 15 and proceeding to thump Offaly in Tullamore.

Tipperary will carry a target this season. That is unavoidable. But they are better equipped to live with it now. But they’ve got plenty in that squad that have learned the hard way, and many more who are just getting off the mark.

It may only be February. It may only be the league. For Cork, it will matter, especially in front of the home crowd.

But for Tipp, well, it depends.

A win will up the bounty. A defeat lets them slip into the shadow.