WE'RE IN FOR A REAL TREAT

JUST three short weeks ago Limerick lit up the hurling summer with a stunning demolition job on Cork in the round-robin stage of the Munster Championship.

- BY JOHN O'DOWD

With John Kiely's men having surrendered their All-Ireland title last year, and with the Rebels basking in the glory of League success, there were some beginning to prepare a Shannonside obituary speech.

However, when you add in that Cork beat their opponents twice in the Championship in 2024, there was always going to be a ravenous hunger from Limerick. That game was set up for a real sting in the tail.

At the same time, nobody expected the 16-point massacre that unfolded at the Gaelic Grounds, and now it’s the turn of Pat Ryan's charges to bounce back at the same venue this evening.

Since that May 18 meeting, Cork had to pick their best available side to get over the Waterford challenge, with the likes of Seamus Harnedy and Cormac O'Brien coming into the 15.

On the other hand, Limerick gave several big guns a rest in the defeat to Clare, with Cian Lynch, Kyle Hayes, Aaron Gillane and Sean Finn seeing no action at all that afternoon.

Who is better prepared for this mouthwatering provincial final? That question will be answered from 6pm, but we can certainly expect a closer contest than what we got last time out.

Cork will be hurting, and simply have to stand their ground, in all facets of the game. They must strive to give Limerick a taste of their own medicine, and signal their intent from the throw-in.