After a recent bereavement and mediocre form, expect the Cork hurlers to find their mojo again
A pall hangs over Cork after the sad and untimely death of manager Pat Ryan’s brother, Ray. On the field their mix-and-match team came up short against Tipperary last week in Thurles, the deficit largely apparent in a lacklustre attack that managed just five scores from play from their starting six – who, to be fair, weren’t well served by an uninspired supply throughout. They should be more fired up for this after such a mediocre outing.
Kilkenny’s match with Limerick was called off but the previous outing was a comfortable win in Wexford, where the disinclination to build on a huge half-time lead was most uncharacteristic. Martin Keoghan has been largely carrying the visitors’ attack but the extra week might allow some game time for the Ballyhale trio TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen and Richie Reid as well as last year’s top forward, John Donnelly.
Galway’s last outing was also a convincing win over the All-Ireland champions, with Loughrea’s Anthony Burns taking the plaudits with 2-3 from play. Tom Monaghan has also been in good form at centrefield and the team has performed well after the crash-and-burn against Tipp of a very callow opening-day team.The latest chapter in a defining rivalry in recent championships comes at a downbeat time for the All-Ireland champions, as they travel to take on their predecessors.
Aidan O’Connor of Limerick and Ciaran Joyce of Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on February 1st. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Limerick have been in buoyant form, the only unbeaten team in the division – albeit after only two matches – and getting good mileage out of their younger or emerging players, Aidan O’Connor particularly impressive in attack over the opening matches. Their big challenge for the year – the injury to goalkeeper Nickie Quaid – has been positively addressed to date by alternating Jason Gillane and Shane Dowling, both of whom had decent outings, varying their restarts as required.
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