Cork v Limerick: Key questions to decide Munster hurling final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Will Limerick’s stronger hand be the difference?

Cork edged out their rivals in the group meeting in April but only after losing Cian Lynch to a red card. And they started the game without Aaron Gillane and Dan Morrissey.

Gillane’s absence was the headline-grabber, as he had torched Cork in the league final three weeks earlier but Morrissey’s loss was significant as well. The towering defender has the size for Brian Hayes, something a full-back line of Seán Finn, Mike Casey and Barry Nash doesn’t offer.

Gillane and Morrissey are major figures for Sunday, while veteran midfielder Darragh O’Donovan has been going well too and he’s an unsung hero for the Treaty.

As has been well documented, Ben O’Connor and his selectors are now working without Ciarán Joyce for the season with captain and talisman Darragh Fitzgibbon, three times the Man of the Match against Limerick in recent seasons, also unavailable. Dáire O’Leary is also out, reducing the defensive options in reserve.

Can Cork shut down Gillane?

As well as being a significant goal threat, highlighted by his pair of terrific goals in the last group game against Tipp, Gillane’s strength and movement means he earns a high portion of Limerick’s close-range frees. He also draws attention from the back six collectively, which opens up space for Limerick’s half-forward line.

Peter Casey and Shane O’Brien both caused problems in the last meeting but the four-time All-Star is on another level. Seán O’Donoghue had the thankless task of trying to limit Gillane in the league final and with Joyce injured, there isn’t an obvious alternative.

How will Cork function without Fitzgibbon?

The movement and work-rate of the Cork forwards was excellent against Clare and they didn’t miss Fitzgibbon. Limerick’s defence is vastly superior though and limiting the influence of their half-back line is absolutely crucial.

In the Munster final last year, Cork’s starting half-forwards, Diarmuid Healy, Shane Barrett and Seámus Harnedy combined for 1-8. Harnedy’s experience was telling but this time U20 Barry Walsh will be starting. Limerick also have more physicality in that zone too, with Will O’Donoghue repositioned.

Cork need to limit Limerick’s platform from half-back and find a goal-den touch inside from Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes and William Buckley. The Treaty hit 10 goals in the round-robin.

How important is it to win Munster?

Cork have only picked up two major trophies this decade, last season’s league and provincial titles. Retaining the Munster crown, especially in the Páirc where Cork are now 12 games unbeaten in league and championship, would be a serious achievement. Especially after winning all four group games.

For Limerick, though they’ve landed six Munsters since 2019, it would be a sweet victory to avenge last June and repeat the league final result from April.

The priority of both counties, however, is the All-Ireland.

Limerick were stunned by Dublin in last summer’s quarter-final but it’s unlikely Offaly will beat the loser from this game. Cork and Limerick will refocus after this weekend, regardless of the result, and expect to meet again in the All-Ireland final.