Preview: Munster SHC final: Cork v Limerick
July 12, 2014
Cork and Limerick should be another classic. INPHO
It will also mark the last inter-county game at Pairc Ui Chaoimh before re-development work commences and the Rebel County hurlers will be looking to succeed where their football counterparts failed last Sunday by giving the old stadium a fitting farewell.
TJ Ryan and the Shannonsiders will have other ideas, however, and they enter the game in a confident frame of mind following their 2-18 to 2-16 semi-final success over Tipperary in Semple Stadium.
Predicting "a hell of a battle", Ryan accepts his players will have to improve on their performance against Tipp.
"I'd like to think there's a bit of scope for improvement, we're going down to Pairc Ui Chaoimh, it's a Munster final, there were areas we'd like to improve on, the start of the second half and the seven to ten minutes before half time. I think we are in a good place."
Cork are bidding to end an eight year drought on the provincial stage and, in the process, collect their 50th Munster SHC crown.
The memory of last year's 0-15 to 0-24 defeat by Limerick in the provincial decider will have served them in the build-up to the contest.
Motivation shouldn't be a problem for Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his team and following their wins over Waterford and Clare, they appear to be the best bet.
Verdict - Cork.
Cork team: Anthony Nash; Shane O'Neill, Damien Cahalane, Stephen McDonnell; Christopher Joyce, Mark Ellis, Lorcan McLoughlin; Daniel Kearney, Aidan Walsh; Conor Lehane, Bill Cooper, Seamus Harnedy; Alan Cadogan, Patrick Cronin, Patrick Horgan.
Limerick team: Nickie Quaid; Tom Condon, Richie McCarthy, Seamus Hickey; Paudie O Brien, Wayne McNamara, Gavin O Mahony; James Ryan, Paul Browne; Declan Hannon, Donal O Grady, Shane Dowling; Graeme Mulcahy, Kevin Downes, David Breen.
Match details: Sunday, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 4pm.
Referee: Brian Gavin.
Odds: Cork 4/9, Draw 10/1, Limerick 2/1. Tweet
