Cork v Limerick: Downey and Twomey back as Rebels report clean bill of health

Cork manager Pat Ryan expects to have a full squad to choose from for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Limerick.

Robert Downey missed the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Dublin last Saturday week due to illness but he is back to full fitness, while Ethan Twomey, who had also missed the preliminary quarter-final against Offaly, is also likely to be available for the game in Croke Park (4pm).

“Yeah, everyone is good,” Ryan said.

“Ethan Twomey is back now as well and will be in good contention. He’s trained the last couple of sessions so he’s back too.

“We’re missing nobody really, except the two lads out medium- to long-term, Cathal McCarthy and Eoin Carey.

“Full credit to the medical team that we have and the strength & conditioning team that we have that the lads are in good shape. Obviously, lads are looking after themselves as well, which is great.” 

While Cork had nine points to spare on Offaly and beat Dublin by six, the team’s performance was below the levels of the Munster SHC wins over Limerick and Tipperary.

They do at least have the experience of being the only side to overcome the Shannonsiders in the current championship and Ryan expects a strong display from his side.

“It’ll take a much better performance than what we’ve given all year to beat Limerick in an All-Ireland semi-final,” he said.

“We feel that the lads are in a good space. Obviously, you get certain things being made out of games where we fellas mightn’t play as well but we’re just focusing on winning.

“As I said after one of those games, we’ve had a load of matches in the last 18 months where we’ve played excellent and they’ve been classics but we’ve lost them. Winning a couple of games that were dour affairs is good, too.

“In fairness, we’ve trained great since the Dublin game, a few good sessions and fellas are in great form.

“Obviously, the lads know that things are going up a level now and they’re bringing their preparation up a level, too.”