All-Ireland hurling final talking points: Ticket scramble, Clare confidence and Cork hype

TICKETS:

The game looms large on the horizon but for many Rebels right now, they’re too caught in the hunt for tickets to worry much about how will be marking Shane O’Donnell or whether Ciarán Joyce or Tim O’Mahony should start at midfield.

There seems to be more demand than even at the height of the Cork team of the noughties’ popularity. And that’s understandable, given how starved Leesiders are of success. This group offers an intoxicating blend of young and experienced hurlers, blistering pace and aerial prowess, and, clearly, feeds off their supporters’ fervour.

It’s not as if you can accuse those desperate to be on Jones Road this Sunday of bandwagon jumping as Cork sold out the Limerick and Tipp games in Munster, brought the majority of the supporters to Tullamore and at the All-Ireland quarter-final before packing Croker for the semi.

CLARE DANGER:

Clare have 14 victories over Cork in their teams’ 54 championship meetings and, unfortunately, one of them was in the 2013 All-Ireland final while they’ve won the last four Munster round-robin clashes, though Cork did knock them out in the 2021 qualifier.

The Banner have beaten Cork in the Páirc earlier this season, Ennis and at Semple Stadium, since 2022, so travelling to Croke Park will hold no fear for them.

Brian Lohan and his charges are delighted the spotlight is on Cork in the build-up and will possibly feel Pat Ryan’s side have already played their All-Ireland, in terms of the emotional and physical investment they had to put into the semi. Cork came from the back of the pack to make All-Ireland finals in 1999, 2003, ’13 and ’21, but only came away with the Liam MacCarthy Cup once.

The Banner did profit from Seán O’Donoghue’s red card in the Munster meeting but they now have Tony Kelly and Ryan Taylor back, so are in better shape heading into the rematch.

MANAGING THE HYPE:

There’s no county like Cork to get carried away. One game away from ending a 19-year wait for glory, Leesiders are wired to the moon about Sunday’s showdown at Croker.

It’s a particularly important game as it offers a chance for Patrick Horgan to banish the tag as the greatest Cork hurler never to collect a Celtic Cross. 

Seamus Harnedy isn’t that far behind him on that list but Cork don’t need any sideshows.

The Cork County Board are busy maximising commercial opportunities, the City Council are gearing up for a potential homecoming and the fans are dreaming of a day, even a week, to remember.

Ryan and his Rebels just need to take care of business and have absolutely no regrets.