The experts’ view ahead of Limerick’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final with Cork

Barry Foley, Brian Begley, Paul Shaughnessy, Jerry Wallace and Pat Heffernan give their predictions ahead of the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals in Croke Park this weekend. 

Barry Foley (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I’m expecting a good hurling game. To be honest with you Cork bring a lot, they’re nice hurlers. We all know what Limerick are like. I expect it to be tough up until the first half, but I’d be expecting Limerick to pull away in the latter stages of the second half. Limerick know how to win games in Croke Park and they seem to throw off the shackles when they get to Croke Park. I expect Limerick to beat Cork by 5/6.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I think there’ll be a big battle between the Cork full-forward line and the Limerick full-back line. I think that’s a key area, Cork’s full-forward line have pace and you have Patrick Horgan in there as well, a match winner in his own right. I just thought Limerick’s half-back line looked more structured and settled against Clare. I’d expect a limited amount of supply to go into the Cork full forward line, but having said that if enough ball gets into them, Cork certainly have the hurlers and pace to cause trouble.

DO LIMERICK PLAY THEIR BEST HURLING IN CROKE PARK?

I think so and I think that’s evident over the last few years. Anytime they’ve got there, the performances have been exceptional. It is so competitive in Munster, the games are coming thick and fast. It just seems when they get to Croke Park, they just seem to express themselves a bit more. I don’t know if it is the environment. They’re so used to it at this stage. They know how to win games and Limerick seem to be hard to beat when they get to Croke Park.

WILL LIMERICK OR CORK MAKE ANY CHANGES?

No, I wouldn’t think so, barring an injury for Limerick. I think Limerick will go again with the same 15. They’ve been playing great stuff and I don’t think we’ll see too many changes. Cork I couldn’t be sure of. Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston didn’t start the last day, they’re good hurlers and they’ll be pushing hard, but coming into an All-Ireland semi-final I wouldn’t expect too many changes.

WHO WILL REACH THE ALL-IRELAND FINAL?

Kilkenny and Limerick. 

Brian Begley (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I’m expecting this to be a really close game. Cork have definitely closed the gap on Limerick over the last couple of years and they will take confidence from that. When their backs were really to the wall in Pairc Ui Chaoimh they were able to get over the line and keep themselves in the championship. Cork will hope to get their running game going early and they can be hard to stop when they do as they have huge pace all over the pitch. I think the key for Limerick will be to stop those runs at source and not allow Cork any momentum or to create any overlaps.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

Dan Morrissey v Alan Connolly
Dan has been very consistent all year and is rarely beaten. He is the ideal full back as he has the speed to mark a pacey forward and is very good under a high ball as well. Alan Connolly can be dangerous and is capable of winning his own ball.
William O’Donoghue V Darragh Fiztgibbon.
Two very different players, William will look to bring his physicality and work rate around the middle, winning ball and getting Limerick on the front foot. Darragh will look to get ball in space and use his pace to create scroring chances. He can clip 2 or 3 scores in short periods if given the space. William will look to stop the runs at source and force turnovers.

DO LIMERICK PLAY THEIR BEST HURLING IN CROKE PARK?

Limerick will look forward to getting back to Croke Park, their routine will be second nature to them at this stage. They certainly have played some of their best hurling when they have come out of Munster over the last number of years.

WILL LIMERICK OR CORK MAKE ANY CHANGES?

It will be an interesting call if Seamus Flanagan is fit as Shane O’Brien. O’Brien was outstanding against Clare.

WHO WILL REACH THE ALL-IRELAND FINAL?

Limerick and Clare.

Paul Shaughnessy (Leader sports reporter)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I’m expecting another classic between Limerick and Cork, when these sides meet every game they’ve played bring on a life of their own. I expect both sides to just go for this and throw the shackles off. Limerick have gradually been improving throughout the championship, while it’s hard to know where Cork are after their wins over Offaly and Dublin.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

Alan Connolly has failed to score in the last two games, but Limerick fans know the threat he poses and you would expect Dan Morrissey to pick him up. Mike Casey is likely to be given the task of picking up Cork sharpshooter Patrick Horgan. Shane Barrett gave Limerick huge problems in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, so Limerick will have a big decision to make on whether they drop off or follow Barrett. Darragh Fitzgibbon is one of the form players in the country and William O’Donoghue is likely to match-up with him. Defensively, I think Cork will put Mark Coleman on Gearoid Hegarty and give Sean O’Donoghue the job of marking Aaron Gillane.

DO LIMERICK PLAY THEIR BEST HURLING IN CROKE PARK?

There’s no point in saying otherwise. When Limerick get into their groove they’re very hard stopped in Croke Park. Since 2018 Limerick have played some breathtaking hurling. They’ve been able to play it any way, whether it’s dominating a game or coming from behind to win a game particularly in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final and final. That will be the challenge for Cork.

WILL LIMERICK OR CORK MAKE ANY CHANGES?

It’s very hard to see Limerick make any changes. Shane O’Brien came into the team and made a huge impact and I would expect him to retain his spot. Seamus Flanagan, Sean Finn and Darragh O’Donovan have all returned from injury and I would think that all three players will have the role of the finishers. For Cork, it’s hard to see changes, but if there is one you would expect Robert Downey to come into defence.

WHO WILL REACH THE ALL-IRELAND FINAL?

Limerick and Kilkenny for the third year in-a-row

Jerry Wallace (Former Cork coach)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I think by the time the game will be finished there’ll be nothing left in the bodies of the players. It’s winner-takes-all and Limerick are heading for a fabulous achievement if they do make it to the All-Ireland and go on win it but you’ve a Cork team that are full of history and all the old traditionalists down here are spurring them on. I just think that this game will have a bit of everything and we could see extra time.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

The positioning of Declan Hannon will be interesting. He is the player that gets Limerick going. He finds space even when defending to become an attacker. Cork will have work to do there to nullify him. And who’s going to curtail Kyle Hayes and Gearoid Hegarty? They’re going to be massive to try and curtail. You expect Dan Morrissey to probably pick up Patrick Horgan.

DO LIMERICK PLAY THEIR BEST HURLING IN CROKE PARK?

Limerick love Croke Park since 2014 when that minor team with Cian Lynch, Barry Nash, Tom Morrissey and Seamus Flanagan and ever since then it has evolved. Limerick love Croke Park and I think they’re well aware of the expanses of it. It’s like a home from home. They go up by train and they have a good routine. They’re not going up for the first time. They have a good comfort zone and I think that just gives an edge on Cork.

WILL LIMERICK OR CORK MAKE ANY CHANGES?

It’s hard to see that. There seems to be an open door policy with both teams and it’ll depend on what’s happening in the training ground. You could have an injury and that’ll determine the John Kiely and Pat Ryan mind-set of who will start. Both teams will start with massive energy on the field and they’ll pick their best players with highest levels of energy.

WHO WILL REACH THE ALL-IRELAND FINAL?

Clare have come back into the situation again this year. Kilkenny have minded themselves in the league and the Leinster Championship. I think they’re after putting all their eggs in the basket to get to the All-Ireland final. I’m going with Kilkenny. Limerick to beat Cork after extra time. 

Pat Heffernan (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

If it’s anything like the match in Cork, it’ll be a humdinger. I suppose the local rivalry and the momentum has been there since 2018.I know that was Limerick’s first step along the ladder and the journey we’re on for the last number of years.That night in Cork, Cork were very good and that’ll give huge confidence going into the semi-final.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

You’ll have match-ups all over the place, the one that I would be looking at would be the role of Nickie Quaid and the role of Patrick Collins.I think that could determine the outcome of the game. If Nickie can maintain his shot-stopping and puck-outs I think Limerick will have a serious edge then. If Limerick can work on the Cork puck-outs, I think that could give us a huge platform and that for me is a huge match-up. Even though it’s not a traditional match-up, I think those two will have a huge influence on how the game goes.

DO LIMERICK PLAY THEIR BEST HURLING IN CROKE PARK?

It looks like that, for the last number of years, in particular in finals. We will need to start and perform like we’ve done in All-Ireland final days for this semi-final. 

WILL LIMERICK OR CORK MAKE ANY CHANGES?

It’ll be interesting to see what way Limerick line up. The reports are that Seamus Flanagan, Sean Finn and Darragh O’Donovan are back. I’m not too sure what way John will go, it’s hard one to call. He’ll see what way lads are shaping up in training. You could possibly have some changes to the Limerick team. You’ll probably have more changes I would say to the 26 matchday squad. I’m not too sure about Ethan Twomey for Cork and what way he is with his injury.

WHO WILL REACH THE ALL-IRELAND FINAL?

I think it will be Limerick and Kilkenny for the third year in-a-row.