Preview - Munster SFC: Limerick v Cork
May 25, 2013
Limerick's Paidi Ahern is tackled by Richard O'Sullivan of Cork during the McGrath Cup Quarter-Final at Newcastlewest
Graham Canty and Eoin Cadogan have been making all the right noises in the build-up to this fixture. Canty talked about 'tough' battles in the past while Cadogan says he is expecting a 'tight battle'.
Manager Conor Counihan said: "From experience as a player and a manager, games against Limerick have always been tough and competitive and particularly our last two visits to the Gaelic Grounds. We are under no illusions, Limerick are going to be a very tough challenge."
You wouldn't expect them to come out with anything different but Limerick's slim hopes of causing an upset all but disappeared when captain Ryan sustained an ankle ligament injury in the closing stages of their FL Division 4 final success over Offaly.
The Shannonsiders' leading marksman's loss in incalculable and they will struggle in front of the posts in his absence.
Of course, the Rebel County have suffered a serious injury set-back of their own with Colm O'Neill's cruciate ligament tear but Counihan's squad boasts sufficient strength in depth to see off the Limerick challenge.
On the plus side for Maurice Horan, he welcomed back talismanic midfielder John Galvin from lengthy absence due to a cruciate ligament injury and their Division 4 success will have raised morale in the squad.
Last year they made the third round of the qualifiers where they only lost out to Kildare after extra-time and the back-door would seem to be their best route for progress again this year.
Holders Cork will be bidding to go a couple of steps further than last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal later on in the summer.
It's too early to pass judgement on their All-Ireland winning credentials but they will make a winning start on Saturday.
Verdict: Cork
Limerick: Donal O'Sullivan; Andrew Lane, Johnny McCarthy, Mark O'Riordan; Stephen Lavin, Paudie Browne, Pa Ranahan; Bobby O'Brien, John Galvin; John Riordan, Thomas Lee, Seanie Buckley; Ger Collins, Ian Corbett, Eoghan O'Connor.
Cork: Ken O'Halloran; Eoin Cadogan, Michael Shields, Damien Cahalane; Paudie Kissane, Graham Canty, Tomás Clancy; Aidan Walsh, Pearse O'Neill; Ciaran Sheehan, Paddy Kelly, John O'Rourke; Daniel Goulding, Brian Hurley, Paul Kerrigan.
Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligo)
Odds: Limerick 8/1, Draw 14/1, Cork 1/12
Match Details: Gaelic Grounds; Saturday, May 25th; 7pm. Tweet
