All-Ireland hurling final verdict as Clare and Cork set to go head to head
There's likely to be very little between the sides in this repeat of the 2013 All-Ireland final, which Clare won after a replay.
Clare have ticked a lot of boxes this year. Beating Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Showing the resilience to finally get the better of Kilkenny in an All-Ireland semi-final at their third attempt.
Developing a bench. Ryan Taylor’s return from injury allied to Ian Galvin’s consistent threat means they have options to help them over the line late on.
Read More: Pádraic Joyce reacts to appointment of Sean Hurson as All-Ireland final referee
But, taking Limerick as one barometer, Cork have beaten them twice, while Clare lost to them twice.
One of those defeats came in the Munster final, and for all Clare’s consistency and competitiveness in recent years, it’s unclear where they would have gone from here if they hadn’t beaten Kilkenny. They still need a cup to frank all that work, and that brings its own pressure.
Cork’s pressure comes largely from a fan base hungry for a first All-Ireland title since 2005, but that is little or no business of so many of their new crop. They’re used to winning All-Ireland finals at under-20 level.
The way they finished out both Limerick games was also hugely impressive. When they lost to Clare, they were down to 14 men at the time after Sean O’Donoghue’s red card on 52 minutes.
When they lost to Waterford they had Damien Cahalane sent off after 42 minutes. Cork are yet to lose a Championship game this year where they kept all their players on the field. That would be an important starting point for them in this one.
Clare are scoring heavily, but Cork are hitting even more. Neither side is a Kilkenny or a Limerick when it comes to defensive structure and tight marking so this one promises to be a shoot out. Thier last meeting finished 3-26 to 3-24.
There appear to be weaknesses all over both defences and forwards on both sides to take full advantage of them. It would be a surprise if there weren’t at least three goals, and no great shock if it was double that.
Cork’s range of threats up front looks greater and they had the edge in size up there. It’s a Rebel side stacked with forwards who can win their own ball. The goal threat of Alan Connolly, Patrick Horgan and Shane Barrett is well documented.
Cork’s powerful running out of defence, if they get that going at some stage, will also hurt Clare. If Cork get a decent handle on Shane O’Donnell and Mark Rodgers it would be difficult to see a Clare win.
Their wild card is Tony Kelly. They’re in an All-Ireland final and the 2013 Hurler of the Year is yet to catch fire. If Kelly starts at midfield, what will Cork do with him? If Kellly gets into a state of flow he could be a match winner.
Tim O’Mahony doesn’t look suited to Kelly, who could roam all over the place. O’Mahony may also have to help out Robert Downey at number six, if he’s covering his full back line. They need to be very careful there are no crossed wires here.
Would Cork be brave or foolish enough to go man to man in their defence with dangermen like Rodgers and O’Donnell around? Both of them will go directly at goal every time they get the ball.
It’s the same with Clare. If Cathal Malone is busy tagging the free scoring Darragh Fitzgibbon, who drops back to help John Conlon when he sweeps?
Tony Kelly? They want him operating further up the field . It could be David Fitzgerald coming from wing forward, which would leave Cork with a free half back.
Mark Coleman’s playmaking ability and Ciaran Joyce’s strong running mean they could hurt Clare if there is confusion there. Aidan McCarthy and/or David Reidy might have to come out and help.
Putting Fitzgerald at wing forward also gives Clare a second puck out option. It’s likely Joyce will go on Peter Duggan to compete with him in the air, given the damage Duggan did in Clare’s win at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
This would leave a possible puck out miss-match of Mark Coleman on Fitzgerald. Cork could pull Robert Downey across, but they are unlikely to move him out of number six as it could unhinge their defensive structure.
These are the key tactical battles that will unfold. If Cork get it wrong tactically with match-ups, particularly on O’Donnell, and in how they deal with Rodgers, and the Kelly/Fitzgerald conndundrum, Clare have the ability to make them pay.
But Cork hold the edge on the bench. As impact subs go, Shane Kingston is the best of the lot. Imagine seeing that pace coming at you after 55 minutes.
Then there’s Robbie O’Flynn, who barring injury would probably be a regular, the energy of Luke Meade and even the pace of Jack O’Connor if they need to mix it up.
Clare’s backs have a tendency to foul, which they’ve improved on, while Cork’s backs can be very loose at times, for this level of hurling. It should be a thriller, which Cork just about edge.
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