The Echo Sport Podcast: Munster hurling final preview, can Cork beat Limerick again?
The Echo Sport Podcast is available on all the major podcast platforms. Picture: Chani Anderson
It's the calm before the storm as The Echo Sport Podcast crew previews the Munster hurling final.
If it's a case of familiarity breeding contempt, then we are in for a fiery battle by the Lee on Sunday as Cork and Limerick collide for the fifth time this season, going back to the preseason Munster Hurling League. The Treaty had the upper hand in the first three meetings while Cork snatched a narrow win in April when the absence of Aaron Gillane and the dismissal of Cian Lynch were major factors.
This time, Cork have home advantage again but are without Ciarán Joyce and captain Darragh Fitzgibbon against a full-strength Limerick. On that basis, John Kiely's charges are favourites, even if Cork haven't lost a game in league or championship in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in two years.
The Rebels have an excellent record against Limerick, with four championship wins across the last three seasons but Fitzgibbon was Man of the Match in three of those, which underlines what a loss he is. In contrast, Dan Morrissey is back and will be tasked with outmuscling Brian Hayes.
Still, Cork will tear into it with the pressure off in many ways, as the losers will still be expected to beat Offaly to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Can the younger guns like William Buckley, Barry Walsh and Diarmuid Healy fire in Fitzie's absence though? Who will be able to handle Gillane, who smashed two goals against Waterford?
There's also a discussion on Patrick Horgan's reaction to Ben O'Connor's comments on Cork's work-rate.
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