Cork hurlers continue to tick all the boxes after sweeping Clare aside but real tests lie ahead

As expected, Cork got the job done to set up a Munster final with Limerick in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, June 8, but far more comfortably than predicted.

Given Clare's impressive victory over Tipp and the Rebels’ poor record against them, this was their first win since the 2021 qualifiers and bridged a gap in Munster going back to 2018, the 42,269 in attendance anticipated a game to mirror the scorching weather.

They got nothing of the sort. The Banner started quite well, Ian Galvin getting in for two goal chances, one of which was superbly saved by Patrick Collins, the other bouncing off the post, but were still 0-8 to 0-3 down after the first quarter.

Shane Barrett caused John Conlon massive problems, William Buckley was a menace up top and with Rob Downey fit enough to start, there was a solid shape to the Cork defence, who broke a succession of high deliveries into Galvin, Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell. 

Cork’s match-ups were good, with Tim O’Mahony following Tony Kelly and Niall O’Leary hounding O’Donnell.

A goal was coming for Cork and Brian Hayes stitched his chance after being teed by Buckley from an Eoin Downey sideline. At half-time, it seemed like the game was over and Clare never threatened a comeback of any sort.

SUDDEN IMPACT

Cork had the luxury of bringing Shane Kingston on for Hayes after 45 minutes and he landed a majestic score straight away and finished with 0-3. Damien Cahalane, Rob Downey and Tim O’Mahony were all able to make way in the last quarter and Cork remained in control.

Limerick, All-Ireland champions elect in the eyes of many, will land on Leeside in two weeks with revenge in their minds from last year’s provincial final and stronger than they were in the group meeting, given Aaron Gillane is back. It will be a memorable occasion, undoubtedly, but certainly isn't make or break.

The path for the Munster runners-up is straightforward now. An All-Ireland quarter-final against Offaly on June 20-21. The semi-final would then be against the Leinster champions, Dublin or Galway. Kilkenny are out but then they didn’t hurl well at any stage this season.

For Clare, as the third-placed Munster side, it’s a clash with the losers of Dublin and Galway on June 20-21 and then a semi against Limerick or Cork. They could rebound and reach the main event in July but will need to significantly improve with their class of 2013 now looking leggy.

The expectation in the spring was the All-Ireland final would feature a Limerick-Cork showdown and nothing has changed there.

The availability of Darragh Fitzgibbon will dictate a lot of the mood for the Munster final.

There’s depth in the Rebel panel as shown on Sunday but in three of Cork’s four championship wins over the Treaty, he’s been picked as Man of the Match.

Ben O’Connor and his management have done superbly so far, the only county to win all four group games outside of Tipp in 2019. They’ve been adaptable and the tactical tweaks in the Munster final will be fascinating.

It’s Cork sixth successive final across league and championship. It should be a great game but won’t define Cork’s season.