All Ireland preview: Cork aim to end wait for All-Ireland glory
As the thousands of Cork supporters exited the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday 19 May on the back of 16 point hammering from Limerick, who would have thought that a few weeks later both sides would take such different paths?
Limerick failed to win a game thereafter, Cork are Munster champions and are now back in the All-Ireland Final.
Sport and all it entails encapsulated in that space of time.
Was that defeat or the manner of it, a turning point in Cork’s season? It would appear so.
Thoughts of manager Pat Ryan
Pat Ryan admitted they got a few things wrong in the build up to that match (on 19 May). “As a management we probably did, gambled on the fitness of a couple of players and learned from it, and here we are now.”
The preparation for the semi-final was crucial especially given that it is only a 2 week run into the final. “We got a lot done in the 3 weeks as the week after the final was low key, and now it’s just a case of sharpening up, doing our homework on Tipperary and being ready for a huge game.”
Having being in last year's final will help. “Of course it does, we know what to expect, get all the pre match stuff that goes with the day out of the way early and focus on the task in hand.”
Tipperary providing the opposition, a 3rd meeting between the sides this year brings it’s own challenges as Pat explains. “Well we won the last two games with a bit to spare but this is different, it’s an All-Ireland Final - a once-off game and whatever we say or do, we will be favourites but we just have to deal with that.”
Pat was impressed by Tipps win in the semi-final. “Liam (Cahill) is a very good coach and as we all know Kilkenny are hard to beat anytime but to do it in the semi-final will give them huge confidence and they will feel they owe us one from the last day.”
He feels the most impressive part of Tipp’s play was “the workarte and energy they brought to the game; you need that at this level and that is something we will have to match.”
The only injury concern is Seamus Harnedy. “Hopefully he will get back on the field soon; he is working hard with the physios and on his own. He’s very determined and we will give him every chance, while Cormac (O’Brien) is fit and good to go.”
Downey maintaining a proud Glen tradition
For team captain Robert Downey Sunday will be a proud moment as he carries on the tradition of a Glen Rovers man leading Cork out in an All-Ireland final. “It’s a massive honour, so many great clubmen have done it in the past and I’m privileged to carry on that tradition.”
It’s been a strange campaign for Robert, disrupted by injury, hard to believe he has yet to play a full 70 minutes in the championship. “Yeah it has picked up a few knocks along the way but look that’s championship for you; the tight turnaround between matches in the Munster Championship especially but all good to go.”
As for Tipperary Robert knows it will be a tough battle. “Look it’s an All-Ireland Final, they are a very proud county and a good team as they have shown and getting to finals is never easy and we know unless we perform for the full 70 minutes you won’t win.”
Along with a number of others, this will be Rob’s 3rd All-Ireland Final and he is just savouring the occasion. “At the start of the year it’s where you want to be, we were here last year and we know what’s required and we just can’t wait for Sunday.”
Resurgent Tipperary
Tipperary have improved with every game and the transformation in their fortunes, having failed to get out of Munster last year, to get to hurling’s biggest day reflects well on Liam Cahill and his coaching team who were under a bit of pressure coming into this championship.
The heavy defeat in the league final didn’t help, and while they can point to Darragh McCarthy’s sending-off in the 1st minute of the Munster Championship game, the win over Clare in Ennis changed the direction of their season.
Easy winners over Laois, they confidently dealt with Galway in the QF while in the semi-final they recovered from a slow start to beat Kilkenny, even if it was shrouded in controversy at the end.
What is different about them now to say 6 or 8 weeks ago?
Jason Forde and John McGrath have taken on leadership roles, Ronan Maher, Mikey Breen and Robert Doyle - it was his late block that saved the GAA from what would have been a very embarrassing situation - are all good defenders.
Jake Morris is another big player for the Premier County, Noel McGrath has been used as an impact sub and very effectively it must be said, centre-back Eoghan Connolly landed 3 points in the semi-final, Andrew Ormond has impressed while Oisin O’Donoghue hit a cracking goal to win the game.
What then of Darragh McCarthy? He’s a very good free taker, even if he did miss a couple against Kilkenny, okay he’s a young player but to be sent-off twice in the championship would be a concern.
The 1st yellow card came after 7 minutes and was justified as was the 2nd that was followed by red, he needs to be more disciplined in his approach if he is to make a contribution.
That Tipperary saw out the semi-final with 14 is also testament to the confidence and belief they now have, that was not there last season.
Cork’s depth
All season the management team have been stressing the depth in the panel with justification.
At various stages key players have been absent including the already mentioned Robert (Downey), Niall O’Leary, Ger Mellerick, Declan Dalton and Cormac O’Brien were injured, Shane Barrett missed a game through suspension, yet apart from the blip in Limerick they have come through the cauldron that is the Munster Championship.
That on the back of winning a 1st league title in years.
Damien Cahalane, Diarmuid Healy, Brian Roche have all played their part, you look at Mark Coleman not starting a few months ago; now one of our top players.
Shane Kingston, Conor Lehane, Tommy O’Connell, Jack O’Connor and Robbie O’Flynn are all scoring when been introduced and pushing those that start to perform knowing there’s quality replacements if needed.
Add in Ethan Twomey and Luke Meade for good measure.
Picking the starting 15 might be easy, picking the actual match day 26 is another matter.
The starting 15 looks pretty nailed on. Patrick Collins will be fronted by Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O’Donoghue in the full-back line; Ciaran Joyce, Robert Downey and Mark Coleman will be the half-back trio.
Darragh Fitzgibbon and Tim O’Mahony will be in midfield.
The half-forward trio is certain to be Shane Barrett, Declan Dalton and Diarmuid Healy but that in the event of Seamus Harnedy been ruled out.
The goal scoring machine that is Brian Hayes, Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan in this his 90th championship appearance, will complete the inside line.
Final prediction
Cork are favourites and justifiably so, but can they beat Tipperary for the 3rd time this season? Both previous encounters were comfortable, and even go back to last year's championship game in Thurles. Cork demolished them that day as well, so plenty of motivation for the Premier County, if it is needed in a game of this magnitude.
The balance in the team is perfect; defensively they are excellent and Sean O’Donoghue in top form with Rob Downey a commanding presence at number 6.
Pace is another attribute; the midfield pairing of O’Mahony and Fitzgibbon have dominated most games this year, with the one exception.
Goals win games and Cork have delivered big time all season, but Tipperary did get 4 in their semi-final.
Cork’s threat is greater and the unselfish play by the attack as a unit is a joy to watch and if Connolly, Horgan and Hayes get quality ball as they have been all year it’s hard to see the Tipp backs holding them.
Cork have already won the league and Munster Championship and when asked if they could complete the hat-trick and end the 20 year wait for the Liam McCarthy Cup to return to Leeside, Pat Ryan had this to say: “Of course we can, it’s going to be tough, but prepare as best we can and head up and put our best foot forward.”
It is going to be tough; All-Irelands are never easily won, but I just feel and see the desire within the group and the manner in which they have approached every game - look at the semi-final when they showed no mercy to a gallant Dublin team - a statement of intent by a superbly prepared and motivated squad.
Cork are a better balanced team and with quality if required to come from the bench, it will take a supreme effort from Tipperary to beat them so on that basis it’s CORK TO WIN!
The match as always is live on C103.