John Horgan: This is the best supported Cork hurling team in all my time as a reporter

The two best hurling teams on league form, the two best supported counties playing in front of a sell-out attendance... it's the latest chapter in the story of the Limerick and Cork hurlers over the past number of years.

The rivalry that has developed is currently the biggest in the game. It's up there with the best of Cork versus Tipp, Limerick-Clare, and Limerick against Tipperary, to name just three.

Their clashes since that epic extra-time All-Ireland semi-final of 2018 are well-documented. Limerick, without doubt, having the upperhand in terms of silverware in a dominant era at provincial and national level.

The GAA have been the big benefactors in the rivalry that has developed between the Leesiders and the Shannonsiders, full-house signs being erected more often than not when their paths collide.

As far as Cork are concerned, this season's secondary competition campaign, which concludes next Sunday on the Ennis Road, has been quite extraordinary in terms of attendance levels, whether they are at home or away.

You had over 30,000 for Cork and Tipp at Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the highest crowd by far at any game in either code and only last Saturday week, you had nearly 20,000 present for what many described as a nothing game between Cork and already-relegated Offaly.

In their away assignments, Cork brought a huge following to Nowlan Park, the Gaelic Grounds and Salthill.

In my ever-extending time as a supporter and reporter, I have never experienced the level of support that this Cork bunch of hurlers are generating.

In the darkest of hours of the 2021, 2024 and 2025 All-Ireland final defeats, that support level has not waned.

This season's league marks the centenary of the secondary competition as 1926 was the inaugural year of the league in both codes. There have been many highs and lows in those 100 years and its importance cannot be emphasised enough.

It will always be of secondary importance for the leading counties in comparison to the championship but for many players it's the competition to showcase their ability to their management teams whose eyes are firmly fixed on the championship.

A strong league innings can make all the difference for players hoping to make the championship cut.

FIRST BLOOD

Next Sunday's league final is the third meeting of Cork and Limerick this season and there is the potential for three more clashes between the two in the championship.

That's for another discussion but the bragging rights belong to John Kiely's men thus far in the season, coming out on top in the Munster League encounter and the regulation league encounter in the Gaelic Grounds in front of over 18,000 people.

But those games now pale into insignificance compared to what transpires from Sunday onwards is all that matters now.

The make-up of both teams is currently the topic of conversation in both counties with the probability being that it will be as near as it gets to their championship line-ups.

Limerick, of course, have the benefit of having an extra week to fine-tune before they begin their championship voyage and whether that's of benefit or not remains to be seen. There might be a suggestion that both counties might hold something back next Sunday, not revealing too much to the other, given it's only three weeks to their championship showdown.

That's utter nonsense, of course, both are more than familiar with each other now and they'll be going hell for leather to claim the win.

It will be interesting too how the pundits in the media forecast the outcome.

Limerick, on home soil, might get the nod just that bit more but when it's Limerick and Cork these days, predictions go out the window.

Former Treaty manager Tom Ryan in his excellent column in last Saturday's Daily Mail, a column that I thoroughly admire because of his forthright views, was a bit critical of Cork because of the manner they dealt with Offaly recently.

He stated that Offaly were already relegated and Cork set out to demolish them, basically humiliating them with no need for it.

The answer to that would have to be that such is now the intensity for starting places on the Cork team that every opportunity a player gets in any league game, he cannot hold anything back. That's just the way it is and it's a similar situation surely where Limerick are concerned.

The Cork starting 15 is likely not to contain too much change from last season.

It's the last game situation for the management to make up their minds on the full-back position although Ben O'Connor continually stresses that what transpires on the training ground, A v B games, are hugely important too.

Midfield seems to be nailed down with the partnership of Tommy O'Connell and Tim O'Mahony and there are four definites in attack, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes. Diarmuid Healy would have been the fifth but injury is ruling him out.

Seamie Harnedy is going to be very much in the reckoning, given his vast experience and strong, physical presence. Newcomer from Newmarket Hugh O'Connor is highly thought of and took his chance against Offaly and the Barrs Willie Buckley have to be in serious contention too alongside Barry Walsh.

Deccie Dalton and Padraig Power are going to feature prominently in the selectors' deliberations and again, to reiterate, the training ground can decide so much.

It's a big plus that there's such a range of options, particularly in the attack and not for a while has a Cork team announcement generated so much interest.

Aidan O'Connor looks like he has nailed down a strarting slot in the Limerick front six with Shane O'Brien likely to be included as well although he was replaced at half-time in the final group game against Galway with his replacement Donnocha O'Dalaigh converting a brace of points.

John Kiely would not have been happy with the concession of 0-31 in that game and allowing Galway to make a right game of it coming down the stretch.

With three of the five Munster counties involved on Sunday, the other two, Tipp and Waterford will be hoping to take their own learnings from a double-header that has the potential for this season's league campaign to be signed off on a very high note.