Christy O'Connor: Limerick believe they've Cork's number physically and tactically
Alan Connolly of Cork is fouled by Diarmaid Byrnes of Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
In the aftermath of Munster GAA’s announcement around their ticket price increase for the Munster final, Sineád Farrell of The 42 made an inquiry to the body on their reasons for the price hike.
A subsequent statement revealed that the increase had been caused by a number of factors; the costs of hosting of games with field rent, stewarding, team participation grants and match day costs amounted to 47% of all income from the games in 2024, while numerous projects within the province also require additional funding.
That is understandable but it’s still a hard PR sell with stand tickets having undergone a 20% increase in just two years, and with terrace tickets having soared by 33% in the same time-span.
And yet, Munster GAA knew that there would be little or no kickback around the increase once Cork and Limerick qualified for the final.
The reality is that even if they had hiked up the price of stand tickets to €80, enough people would have been more than willing to pay that amount – especially when tickets didn’t go on general sale and were only distributed through the county boards.
That’s the draw that Cork-Limerick now is.
When the sides met last July, it was the first time that an All-Ireland hurling semi-final was sold out in the new Croke Park.
With the Munster final only able to accommodate half that crowd, tickets were always going to be like gold-dust.
In truth, this game has also been taking shape in the mind’s eye of the wider hurling community since the middle of the league, billed as part of a potential trilogy that could define the hurling summer.
The anticipation is even giddier again because, for all the great games and battles Cork and Limerick have played out since the introduction of the round robin, this is their first Munster final clash of that era.
Limerick’s dominance has been harder again for Cork to stomach when it has coincided with their two-decade All-Ireland famine.
The circumstance of regularly meeting on the All-Ireland series stage has also expanded the rivalry more than it ever did in the past.
There is also another underlying narrative shaping Cork and Limerick’s relationship this year.
Similar to Kilkenny in 2011, after Tipperary stopped their bid for five-in-a-row immortality, Limerick are also hell-bent this year to ensure that more Cork victories don’t open up a potential apocalyptic vista of a future ruled by Cork.
Cork have the capacity to take over but Limerick also firmly believe – just like Kilkenny did in 2011 when Tipp were threatening to take over – that they can derail that train.
They did three weeks ago and Sunday is another chance for Limerick to keep Cork down.
Going into the lion’s den without some key players has made Cork’s task more difficult again.
Cork will have to find a level of form they haven’t got close to reaching yet in this championship, but they know they are capable of doing so.
In Kiely’s time, Cork and Clare are the only teams to have beaten Limerick home and away, in league and championship.
Prior to last year, Limerick had colonised Croke Park and made it their own special territory but Cork muscled in on that terrain last July and planted their flag on the pitch after the All-Ireland semi-final battle.
Despite Clare having won the All-Ireland, Cork’s flag was pitched highest – in the eyes of the general public anyway – heading into this championship but Limerick lowered those colours three weeks ago.
And they have intentions of ripping that Cork flag to pieces now that the battle has moved back to the Gaelic Grounds.
Last year’s wins for Cork appeared to have marked a turning point in the relationship between both teams but Sunday will prove if it actually was. Limerick accepted that they were deservedly beaten twice by Cork, but they also believed that they were not the best version of themselves, especially in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Limerick have always been wary of Cork, especially their pace and scoring threat, but this group still always felt that they could control the outcome if they physically and tactically bossed Cork on their .
They absolutely did three weeks ago but Cork clearly weren’t physically and mentally ready for the onslaught that Limerick brought.
Whatever about form and injuries, if Cork are really serious about winning an All-Ireland, this is the ultimate test to prove that they are capable of doing so.
Cork are desperate for success but more than just a Munster title is on the line now.
If Cork can go into the Gaelic Grounds and plant their flag on the pitch at the end of the battle, they will do more than just lift the Mackey Cup in Limerick’s war-room – Cork will prove that they are ready to win an All-Ireland.
The flipside is that if Limerick dominate and win as easily as some of the bookies think they might, Cork’s season may already be as good as over.
A lot more than just a Munster title is now on the line for Cork.
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