Cork welcome back a familiar face to their defence. Brian Murphy, who has been out injured since damaging his collarbone in June, is back in the starting fifteen.
His experienced teammate Tom Kenny loses out as Cork hope Murphy can replicate his sterling defensive work against Clare earlier this summer.
For Clare it’s a case of same again as they keep the faith with the team that toppled Limerick last time out.
Cork: Anthony Nash (Kanturk); Stephen Mc Donnell (Glen Rovers), Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown), Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields); Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers), Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh), William Egan (Kilbrin); Lorcan McLoughlin (Kanturk), Daniel Kearney (Sarfields); Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Pa Cronin (Bishopstown), Conor Lehane (Midleton); Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum).
Clare: Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona); Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla), Cian Dillon (Crusheen); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan Mills), Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Conor Ryan (Cratloe); John Conlon (Clonlara), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Colin Ryan (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Pádraic Collins (Cratloe), Darach Honan (Clonlara), Conor McGrath (Cratloe).
Checking the odds…
Is this match delicately poised? It seems so with Cork at 10/11, Clare at 6/5 and the draw available at 10/1. The bookies, like the rest of us, are expecting this to be a tight affair.
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Clues from the form guide…
Since the Munster final, Cork’s form graph has travelled in an upward curve. They benefited from seeing opponents have players sent-off but have ruthlessly exploited that advantage on both occasions.
Their attack is steadily starting to catch fire, as evidenced by the increased impact of Conor Lehane and Luke O’Farrell, defenders like Shane O’Neill and Conor O’Sullivan are having storming seasons while Anthony Nash’s campaign of excellence continues.
Clare can relate to the theme of recovery after a provincial loss. They were sluggish against Wexford but were competent and impressive against Galway before starring in the semi-final win over Limerick.
Then Clare showcased their status as a young team capable of thriving in the pressurized setting of Croke Park on a big championship day. That will serve them well in managing nerves tomorrow.
Pic: INPHO
The game breakers are…
For all of the assets that Clare possess, they have three particularly key features. The magnificence of full-back David McInerney, the effectiveness of Patrick Donnellan in performing the sweeper role and the influence of Tony Kelly and Paraic Collins in shaping the attacking direction of the game.
McInerney’s progress has been remarkable, Cork must quell the influence that has lead to him winning man-of-the-match awards in his last three games.
Expect Donnellan to be deployed as a sweeper to erect a screen in front of Cork’s attacking lynchpin Patrick Horgan. While the skill of the diminutive pair of Kelly and Collins has unlocked plenty defences this summer.
Cork have brought Brian Murphy back into their team where it is expected he will match up with Kelly. But Collins needs to also be policed while it’s worth noting that Darach Honan gave Cork a lot of trouble early on when the teams met last June.
Cork possess midfielders who are in good form in Lorcan McLoughlin and Daniel Kearney while Conor Lehane, Luke O’Farrell and Seamus Harnedy will give the Clare defence plenty to think about.
Pic: INPHO
Gazing into the crystal ball…
It’s an odd pairing when we consider the lay of the hurling land early this year but both these teams are here on merit. It’s a fantastic chance to land the Holy Grail and it will be a wonderful managerial feat by either JBM or Davy.
Who will win it? The game is balanced on a knife-edge but Cork can just prevail. They have been improving incrementally all year, the return of Murphy is a major boost and their attack are starting to unleash their potential.
Clare’s band of youngsters have lit up a superb hurling summer. Yet it can end with a traditional force on top.
Should be a cracking game. Two fantastic young teams that play beautiful hurling. Really looking forward to it…and hoping for a Clare win…Hon the Banner!
Nelly, get help lad, you’ll break your back with that chip, you obviously got a flaking off a few Cork fellas or something did ya! Best of luck to both teams! Can’t wait to be sitting in the Cusack tomorrow! Rebels Abu! Nelly is a langer!
This time tomorrow all will be known…. But I know already the mighty men of Clare will win tomorrow….. Maybe even a little easier than expected… Early 20min goal fest to kill diff cork challenge……
Hon the banner
You would think the two teams have not met. You would think Cork have not dispatched Kilkenny and Dublin. Ara screw it come on Clare sure for fools sake
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Come on the banner! #honthebanner
C’mon the banner!
I am pretty confident Clare will win. Its not that Cork arent good. They are.. I just think Clare are very focused
Should be a cracking game. Two fantastic young teams that play beautiful hurling. Really looking forward to it…and hoping for a Clare win…Hon the Banner!
I hope it’s a fair game 15 against 15.cork might find that strange though.theyre more used to playing against 14
Nelly, get help lad, you’ll break your back with that chip, you obviously got a flaking off a few Cork fellas or something did ya! Best of luck to both teams! Can’t wait to be sitting in the Cusack tomorrow! Rebels Abu! Nelly is a langer!
Nope I’m just saying they’ve had it easy playing 2 games against 14 men.im not been critical or sour just stating a FACT.what does langer mean
What does flaking mean?its like your speaking another language
And the Nelly beat goes on and on
Nelly the chip on your shoulder has become a whole spud at this stage!
All the best to the Banner and particularly the Clonlara boys, hopfully the village will be hopping tomorrow evening!!!!!!
Hon the banner , I’d say both teams will put up a good show though,
I hope that Clare win.
I predict a Munster team to win this. There name to begin with C. Mon De Rebels!
This time tomorrow all will be known…. But I know already the mighty men of Clare will win tomorrow….. Maybe even a little easier than expected… Early 20min goal fest to kill diff cork challenge……
Hon the banner
Cork v Clare World Series senior hurling final.
Good man Mick, now apparently I don’t know ya but enjoy the day and the extra effort you’ve ad in order to do so! have a good one buddy!
Hey Tom ,how’s it going .should be a good game. Just thought I’d try and make it big like the yanks do with there world this and world that.
Should be a cracker..corcaigh abu
Ohh sorryyy, for wanting a clean match like
Easy win for Cork. At least 6 points clear at the end
Hahahahahahahahahaha
Walter Mitty comes to mind!!
I hope its a nice clean match, no fighting lads
Clean match? Wheres the fun in watchin that… Give em the timber!!!
You would think the two teams have not met. You would think Cork have not dispatched Kilkenny and Dublin. Ara screw it come on Clare sure for fools sake