John Horgan on hurling: Glen can rise in Munster; Erin's Own v Carrigtwohill preview

Hurling very much dominated the airwaves last weekend, three county finals being played out in Munster and Leinster.

With no Cork involvement until Glen Rovers take to the field at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon, facing first-time Clare champions Inagh-Kilnamona it was indoors for this column on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

There was an air of expectancy in the living room but apart from the pulsating Limerick final between Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh, the Dublin and Kilkenny county finals were damp squibs. Kilmacud Crokes hammered Cuala in the Dublin decider and Ballyhale Shamrocks doing likewise in Kilkenny, absolutely trouncing Thomastown, the latter hardly showing up at all. It was just one from three to set the pulse racing.

Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh was a thriller, particularly the second half, with Kilmallock regaining a long-lost title after being written off in most quarters.

In comparison to the Cork county final between the Glen and the Barrs with over 20,000 present, the attendances at the three venues, Parnell Park, Nowlan Park and the Gaelic Grounds were fairly paltry.

Booming

That was a further illustration of the drawing power of the Cork championship on a yearly basis.

We now know the line-up for the Munster club championship, the Glen against the Banner county representatives, Kilmallock taking on Waterford's Ballygunner in one semi-final and the Tipperary champions Thurles Sarsfields waiting the winners from the Pairc Ui Rinn clash.

As we are tired from pointing out, Cork's record in the competition has been abysmal over the past 29 years. Just three clubs were successful: Midleton, Newtownshandrum on three occasions and Sarsfields two years ago.

Now it's the Glen's turn to try and improve things, their first shot at it in 10 years against the maybe surprising Clare champions.

The Glen are worthy Cork representatives and playing at home they will probably be slightly fancied to advance. But with the winter months now upon us nothing should ever be taken for granted on the club championship front.

There might be a school of thought that winning in the Banner county for the first time, Inagh-Kilnamona might be satisfied enough with that.

Nonsense, we have heard about teams like them before beins being in bonus territory, nothing much to lose but a lot more to gain.

That's all the more reason why the Glen will be ultra-cautious, facing a side that they are not overly familiar with, who have came through some big tests in Clare.

They have some fine hurlers, none more so than former Clare star Aidan McCarthy, Fred Hegarty, Sean Rynne and two-time All-Star David Fitzgerald.

However, the Glen are determined to return to the stage they once graced with so much distinction in the '70s when they had this title alongside All-Ireland triumphs in Blackpool.

It's a bit of a mystery why Cork clubs now have such a poor record in a competition that was once almost their sole preserve with the big three in the city dominating.

The Munster club championship is very similar to the inter-county senior provincial championship, a minefield with no assurances in any game.

It's a fairly big step-up from playing in your own domestic championship. Conditions might be that bit more difficult and after a difficult campaign in your own county, the winners must turn things around fairly quickly.

Grounded

The expectation is that the Glen are fully focused on their task. They have had some well-deserved celebrations but Tomás Mulcahy will have brought them back down to earth fairly quickly alongside the rest of the management.

Their defence excelled in the county final, lesser-known names like Eoin Varian, Liam Coughlan and Adam Lynch turning in stellar performances. Rhys Dunne in midfield, Eoin O'Leary up front alongside Hoggy and the Downeys, it was essentially a collective effort.

By half two on Sunday afternoon, one expects them to have extended their hurling season.

The game is timed perfectly because we can then stroll down to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the 4pm, start of the Senior A final between Carrigtwohill and Erin's Own. The East Cork division has had to take a back seat this season in the Premier senior championship but Sunday's final guarantees that title will reside there for the next 12 months.

So, will it be Erin's Own or Carrig?

Both clubs have a rich heritage, both have savoured the sweet success of being on the winner's podium on county final senior Sunday. Erin's Own in 2006 and 2007, with club legends Brian Corcoran and Timmy Kelleher playing a huge role in those glory years.

Carrig stunned the hurling world in 2011, 100/1 outsiders at the outset, they marched to an unforgettable title.

That was then and this is now, both deserving of their big day at headquarters trying to achieve top-flight status again.

However, it did not start well for Carrigtwohill, unimpressive in losing to Inniscarra but subsequently getting over the group stage line after requiring a penalty shootout to get past Na Piarsaigh in the quarter-final.

Their resilience was very evident in their earlier draw with Ballinhassig and defeating Blarney in the semi-final required industry and collectiveness.

Without star man Sean Walsh, others had to step forward and in James Mulcahy, Patrick Walsh, Justin Oke, Daniel Nolan, Matthew Barrett and Cian O'Riordan, the blend of youth and experience has got them through.

Erin's Own lost their premier status last season and there is a huge determination to do a Glen Rovers on it, bounce back immediately.

This, it could be said, is a new-look Erin's Own team now without former club greats.

Peter O'Shea's versatility has been very important. Robbie O'Flynn's experience is a huge asset in attack and Shane Irwin's contribution, sometimes off the bench has caught the eye too.

Conor Linehan has posted some crucial scores from the placed ball and open play while Cormac McDonnell's industry at midfield has been a feature too.

One could say that Carrig's path to the final has not been as straightforward as their opponents but it is all about getting there, not how that is all-important.

In this grade of hurling, the prize is immense, a return to the top flight and becoming an elite senior participant again.

Games of this nature, two teams not too far apart geographically with bragging rights at stake, make it very difficult to nail down.

Fearless

Carrigtwohill have been a bit of a mix thus far, holding their nerve in the penalty shootout with Na Piarsaigh certainly provided the belief that they were ready for the subsequent semi-final win over a fancied Blarney side. 

There's a kind of never-say-die attitude with this bunch of players.

Erin's Own have been winners all the way right through the campaign which might make them the slightest of fancies.

But truthfully this is the old cliche contest, 50/50 that should go right down to the wire.