Cork Hurling Talking Points: Can Rebels go long and grab goals against Limerick?

Back's toughest test:

In the All-Ireland final, Cork conceded 2-12 from play to Tipp's starting five forwards. The Premier went with six up front in the Munster championship rematch but only mustered 0-5.

It was an impressive statement from a Rebel rearguard that, according to Waterford legend John Mullane, on his podcast in the build-up, was in danger of conceding three or four goals in Thurles. That sub Alan Tynan raised a late green flag was mildly disappointing as otherwise Tipp were kept at arm's length.

The match-ups were spot on with Ciarán Joyce and Seán O'Donoghue outmuscling Jason Forde and John McGrath, while Niall O'Leary did superbly on Andrew Ormonde and Darragh McCarthy. Tommy O'Connell's deployment as a deep-lying midfielder helped and the defence will need plenty of support this Sunday too.

Limerick's attacking unit is more potent than Tipp's and in far better form based on the league. Aaron Gillane proved unmarkable in the clash earlier this month, tormenting O'Donoghue and Ger Millerick. Rob Downey, so dominant in the air along with his brother Eoin last weekend, couldn't get a handle on Gearóid Hegarty.

Can Cork go with O'Donoghue and Downey picking up Gillane and Hegarty again and bank on increased work-rate and a stronger defensive shape to help them to survive? 

The 30 metres of space in front of Gillane and Shane O'Brien proved fatal in the TUS Gaelic Grounds so Cork need to up the intensity at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and ensure it plays smaller.

Limerick are too clinical from distance to deploy a sweeper against. They might push Cian Lynch up to centre-forward so Downey can't sag off as a defensive shield. Sunday will show if Cork's defensive improvement is sustainable.

Goal threat:

With Ben O'Connor tweaking the direct style Cork favoured under Pat Ryan, the inside forwards didn't get the volume of possession they needed up in Thurles. 

That was very noticeable in the first half when Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly only had one possession each in the opening quarter.

Now collectively, Cork's starting six forwards combined for 0-20 but Hayes only clipped one point and O'Connolly two. At least number 13 William Buckley, who was encouraged to roam further out, sniped 0-5 from play and was Man of the Match on his debut.

Rebels won't care who does the scoring this weekend if they can beat Limerick. You get the feeling they'll need to raise a green flag or two and only created one chance in Semple Stadium.

Puck-out variety:

Having been wiped out in the air by Limerick in the league final, Cork went shorter far more often against Tipp. 

In the first half, with Tommy O’Connoll and Tim O’Mahony dropping deep as options for Patrick Collins and Rob Downey available in the corner, it meant Cork retained the majority of their restarts.

The concern is that it’s high risk, as seen when O’Connell was swarmed and forced into coughing up a free inside the 45. Limerick are naturally better at a high press and will certainly be prepped to target Cork’s short puck-outs this weekend.

When beating Limerick in recent seasons, Cork got joy on Collins’ long deliveries through a combination of finding half-forwards on the move and snapping up breaks off Brian Hayes. Can they replicate that formula this time?