Huge game in Thurles
The much awaited Munster Senior Hurling Championship finally gets underway and for the 2nd year in a row, it’s a repeat of the previous year’s All-Ireland Final.
There are plenty of big games before that though, with a number of Cork teams in championship action.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork v Tipperary on Sunday in Semple Stadium Thurles at 4pm
“It’s what we have been gearing for all year; we got enough out of the league, disappointed we did not win it, but we moved on and all our attention is now on Sunday,” Ben O’Connor said ahead of the rematch with All-Ireland champions Tipperary. Having played against them often enough Ben is well aware of what lies ahead.
“Huge test, they are the champions playing at home and with a nice break and a clear run into this game, but for all that these are the games you want to be playing in and we are really looking forward to it.”
Similarly Tipperary captain Ronan Maher said it should make for a great occasion.
“There is something special about games between us and I suppose a bit more when they are in Thurles, but we know Cork like coming there so they will not fear that.”
As for the league Ronan was happy with it: “We were really happy with it; a few lads were out injured and others got the chance and now we are all set to go.”
Does being champions add that extra bit of pressure? “There’s always pressure when you put on the Tipp jersey, just like Cork but that is what we play for.”
For Ben, the league gave them a huge insight to the depth of the panel. “Injuries apart we learned a lot and most of the lads saw game time and all did what was required of them and now it’s all down to the next two weeks with huge games.”
The loss is the All-Ireland Final is something that the players dealt with early in the year, “look it happened and you can’t undo it and as a group it’s over and won’t have any bearing on what happens on Sunday.”
Tipperary are in the ideal position; a nice untroubled build up while all the attention was on the league final and no doubt manager Liam Cahill will have his charges highly motivated to prove they are as good as they showed in the 2nd half of the All-Ireland Final.
They are a quality side with the Mahers, Jake Morris, Rhys Shelley, Seamus Kennedy, Darragh McCarthy and Andrew Ormond big players for Cahill’s side.
It is unlikely that the Cork 15 will alter much from the league final, with Ciaran Joyce odds on for the number 3 jersey, while on his introduction Mark Coleman showed that the injury was well behind him.
Equally Sean O’Donoghue who departed the league final early is fit and looks set to occupy his usual spot in the full back line.
Tommy O’Connell who had an excellent league will partner Tim O’Mahoney in midfield.
As a unit the attack, William Buckley and to a lesser extent Brian Hayes apart did not function and a repeat will not be good enough.
Removing Barry Walsh from the under 20 game last night (Wednesday) is a clear indication that the Killeagh youngster is all set to make his Senior Championship debut on Sunday, and that is going to be huge and indeed special day for the lad.
Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett and Alan Connolly have proved they have the ability to unhinge any defence.
Fitzgibbon’s powerful running, while Barrett and Connolly have an eye for goal, and Brian Hayes on his day can be and has been a handful for any defender, and Buckley like Fitzgibbon has real pace.
It’s a huge game with both sides really determined to make a winning start; losing your 1st game is by no means fatal, but in Cork’s case with Limerick up next on Sunday week, there is that bit of extra pressure on Cork, especially on the back of the league final loss.
The opening exchanges are sure to be lively and how that pans out could shape the rest of the contest but as the All-Ireland Final showed, it’s not how you start but how you finish.
Cork have had the upper hand in most of the recent meetings and that will give them encouragement while Tipperary will also be confident of winning on home soil, which is somewhat surprising then that tickets from the Premier County were returned and went on general sale.
Hard one to call, Tipperary are slight favourites but I’m giving Cork the nod to maintain their winning run at a venue where they relish playing. Cork to win.
The match is live on C103 and on the Onic Player.
Munster Minor Hurling Championship
Cork v Tipperary on Friday in Semple Stadium Thurles at 7pm
A first visit of the weekend to Thurles and Cork’s excellent win over Waterford last Friday in horrendous conditions will have been boosted them.
Tipperary also won their opening game a high scoring encounter with Limerick and they will be determined to get the weekend off to a winning start for the Premier County, especially on home soil.
Schools from Tipperary have been dominant in the colleges’ competitions in recent years and players from those teams will backbone their challenge and not having won a game in the championship last year they are keen to rectify that.
Eanna Tucker, Ben Talty, Max Sheehan, KJ Dunne and Chris Dunne impressed in the win over Limerick.
The most important aspect of Cork’s game was the manner in which they dug out the win away from home in driving wind and rain, a resilient performance that really pleased selector Peter Kelly.
“Great endeavour shown by everyone in tough conditions it was our 1st championship match away from home against a team that had already played championship and we are delighted with that.”
It will give them plenty of confidence heading to Thurles. “It will but that’s another challenge - your 1st two games away from home but look we will embrace it review tonight and prepare as best we can, there’s 4 games to be played yet so hopefully a long season.”
Defensively Cork were outstanding with Jack Batterbury, Howard O’Donovan and Nathan Coffey, while Tadhg Murphy, Tadhg McCarthy, Ryan Cagney and Sam McCarthy are all playing well.
It’s a tough ask going to Thurles seeking a win but it is well within their capabilities.
Munster Senior Camogie Championship
Cork v Tipperary on Sunday in Semple Stadium Thurles at 2pm
It was a disappointing league campaign for both of these teams and almost immediately the focus switched to championship at both provincial and national level.
For Cork captain Meabh Cahalane it’s an exciting time. “Great to be playing before a big hurling game and we are really looking forward to Sunday, we were a bit disappointed with the league but we learned from it and moved on.”
Injuries and a few other factors impacted on team selection as Meabh explains: “We had a lot of injuries and our (St Finbarr’s) long season meant we were late coming back but look it’s a new competition and we are ready to go.”
The league game between the sides ended all square with Tipperary grabbing a late goal and a point which was a good outcome for a side under new management after a few poor seasons when the expected breakthrough never happened.
They do have some very good players in Mairead Eviston, Caoimhe Stakelum, Aoife Dwyer and Eimear McGrath.
Cork should have a reasonably strong team on duty with the obvious exception of long term injury victim Ashling Thompson and she is a huge loss.
Emma Murphy, Laura Hayes, Saoirse McCarthy, Meabh Murphy and Orlaith Cahalane should all feature as Cork look to a summer of championship action and hopefully starting with a win.
There’s one other camogie game on Sunday - hard to believe it is clashing with the hurling game - it’s the All-Ireland Under 23 Championship meeting of Cork and Kilkenny at 2pm (venue to be confirmed) and Cork are unbeaten after 3 games.
Munster Under 20 Football Championship
Cork v Waterford in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday at 7pm
This game will be dictated by how Cork got on against Kerry (last night Thursday) as they bid to secure a place in the final; the draw with Clare could yet prove to be a vital one, given that Clare play Kerry in Tralee on the same night.
Waterford underage football is on a nice run now with both minor and under 20 teams making phase 2 of their respective championships. Cork will need to be on their guard but if they are to be considered genuine contenders, this is a game they must and probably will win.
Scoring difference is obviously going to be a factor in deciding who goes where when the dust settles next Wednesday night, let’s hope Cork are still in the mix.