The recent performances of Cork against Offaly and Dublin left me feeling concerned. Although their lack of vigour can be attributed to illness, their demonstration fell short in comparison to the games against Limerick, twice, and a portion of the Tipperary match.
Their season has been inconsistent. In their initial game against Waterford, they underperformed, opting to pass between the lines when Alan Connolly and Shane Barrett were noticeably in need of an early, direct pass, which was juxtaposed by disciplinary incidents resulting in a red card in the two opening matches.
However, during their third bout against Limerick, the tide seemed to change. Long balls, a surge in stamina and robust support from the Cork fans made a substantial difference, albeit intermittently.
This is exemplified in their game against Tipperary. It started slow, but following Alan Connolly’s goal, the Cork team came to life in the second half. Their straight-through passes, rapid puck-outs, elevated speed and energy, along with Darragh Fitzgibbon, Ciarán Joyce and Mark Coleman leading from the wing back, and the premium speed of Barrett could prove a winning formula.
If they repeat this performance incorporating the subsequent goals, Clare may find it challenging to outperform them. Had Limerick made it to the final, they would have been my top pick. So, if Cork is on par or better than Limerick, that should suffice.
However, any decrease in energy levels can dampen the mood among their supporters and affect the exhilarating dynamic between the fans and the players. The compelling question is, can they sustain this energy and focus amidst two weeks of fervour and intense anticipation in the county? The experience from the 2021 final will be invaluable in this context as the team composition hasn’t significantly changed from the one that previously fell short against Limerick.
The original text’s information can be used to write a new one. “The motivation for betterment is a constant driver that prevents the repetition of past mistakes. I am led to believe by these different factors that they will not disappoint in their performance. Clare has been notably successful in the preceding years, keeping up with the leading team of the era, and holding a formidable record against Cork. However, Cork’s previous title win dates back to the 2021 All-Ireland qualifier in Limerick, made possible by Patrick Collins’ astounding save from Tony Kelly.
Pertaining to Cork’s performance during Clare’s triumph at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Connolly and Brian Hayes posed a significant threat, while Shane O’Donnell and Mark Rodgers wreaked havoc among the home defence. Recently, Clare’s Tony Kelly has been showing promise for improvement from his sporadic contributions in past matches. Although he initially struggled in the Kilkenny game, Kelly bounced back in the second half, scoring a key point that left Kilkenny in need of a goal.
Clare’s prowess lies in their forward line and if they pull off a victory, there won’t be any contention regarding the Hurler of the Year award. Known for his lethal goal threat, Shane O’Donnell’s exemplary form has seen him making strong offensive runs, often leading to fouls by the defenders.
After having been sidelined due to injury, the impending return of Ryan Taylor is a welcome addition for Clare. Taylor’s dynamism and readiness for action in the semi-finals overturned the momentum built by Cian Kenny for Kilkenny. I suspect that Lohan won’t keep him as a substitute for long. Clare may struggle to contain Cork’s long puck-outs but can turn the midfield into a warzone to limit the Cork full-forwards’ supply. Their half-backs will need to be unshakable, adhering to Donie Nealon’s advice to ‘block the ball’ – essentially keeping it in sight and preventing it from breaking past their defensive line.”
Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, and David McInerney are physically imposing figures who, despite not having a disadvantage against high balls, are bound to face pressure from Séamus Harnedy, Declan Dalton, and Brian Hayes. If Cork emerges victorious, Barrett stands a strong chance to be named Hurler of the Year, thanks to his speed and vitality that were demonstrated in the semi-final against Declan Hannon.
Another factor that could affect the outcome of the match is the issue of wides. Clare has shown periods of inaccuracy, which could lead to dual losses – missing a point and providing a chance for a swift puck-out, as the referee doesn’t need to record a score. Their performance in the Munster final was marred by haphazard and imprecise free-taking, so it’s worth acknowledging Aidan McCarthy’s effort against Kilkenny, where he delivered a perfect performance.
Despite my reservations about their defensive quartet, credit must go to goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan for his outstanding semi-final performance, although he did concede a goal which gave Kilkenny a sliver of hope. Adam Hogan’s excellent defencing against Eoin Cody needs to be acknowledged, but the line can often be error-prone and susceptible to conceding frees. Conor Leen’s presence, however, has bolstered their effectiveness. Any mistakes in the defence could be costly.
These teams put on a fabulous display in a previous match this summer, so there’s a high probability of witnessing a thrilling repeat performance. When the whistle sounds for the last time, I predict Cork will take their first Liam MacCarthy Cup in almost two decades, draining every last drop from the bottle.