Nicky English predicts that despite earlier flakey performances against Offaly and Dublin, Cork has the capacity to overcome their rivals Clare in the upcoming All-Ireland hurling final. He raises a concern about whether the team can withstand two weeks of intense excitement and rapture. However, he believes the lessons learned from their experience in the 2021 final, where they were heavily defeated by Limerick, will prove critical.
Alternatively, Seán Moran suggests in his match prediction that Cork have an edge in the final, arguing that less needs to align perfectly for them compared to Clare for victory.
Welcome to the live play-by-play of the All-Ireland hurling final between Cork and Clare taking place at Croke Park. This match is a replay of the 2013 final and is anticipated to be spectacular. Cork, who previously overthrew the champions in a splendid semi-final, will be competing for their first championship since 2013, and have an enormous fan base supporting them. The game commences at 3.30pm.
Both teams have confirmed the same starting positions for the final as in the previous matches.
The Cork team is as follows: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O’Donoghue (capt); Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Substitutes include: Brion Saunderson, Damien Cahalane, Ger Millerick, Tommy O’Connell, Luke Meade, Ethan Twomey, Conor Lehane, Jack O’Connor, Shane Kingston, Pádraig Power, Robbie O’Flynn.
The Clare team includes Eibhear Quilligan as the goalkeeper, joined by Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, and Conor Leen in defence. Their midfield lineup comprises of David Fitzgerald and Cathal Malone, supported by Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, and David McInerney. The forward line features Captain Tony Kelly, together with Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan, Aidan McCarthy, Shane O’Donnell and David Reidy. Folks available from the bench are Cian Broderick, Rory Hayes, Paul Flanagan, Cian Galvin, Darragh Lohan, Ryan Taylor, Seadna Morey, Aron Shanagher, Ian Galvin, Shane Meehan, Robin Mounsey. The match is to be officiated by Johnny Murphy, the Limerick referee.