Cork v Tipperary, Sunday Semple Stadium, 2.40, Network 2: This match's possibilities appear to lie in how close Tipperary can get to Cork rather than in whether they can spring a surprise. For the past two years Cork have been developing a quiet momentum, which leaves Larry Tompkins' team on the verge of a first Munster title in three years, writes Seán Moran

Tipperary have also had a reasonable year to date. Last year with Declan Browne out injured, they fielded a young, inexperienced side and struggled to defeat in both championship and qualifiers. This season they have got Browne back and also hurling goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, who supplemented by Peter Lambert's good form have given the attack a bit of bite.

Notwithstanding that improvement up front, Tipperary still made hard labour out of Clare and needed a replay to reach the final. Clare could as easily have won and sources in the county gloomily acknowledge that were they in Thurles tomorrow, they would be hoping to keep it down to six points.

There are a couple of problem areas for Tipperary. One is the very attack that through its occasional brilliance gave them an edge over Clare. However well Browne, Cummins and Lambert play, they are up against a defence that has been excellent to date.

Rearranged by Tompkins for the first match against Kerry, it worked effectively and cohesively. Big, athletic and strong, it will pose some hard questions for the elusive opposition. It will also establish a platform for the attack unless every ball is at least contested.

Both midfielders were taken off in the replay against Kerry but it has to be debatable whether Kevin Mulryan can emulate the white-hot form of Darragh Ó Sé in recent matches. Otherwise Nicholas Murphy and Micheál O'Sullivan are likely to survive.

Tipperary are fast on the wings of the defence but they're up against two robustly mobile markers in Brendan Jer O'Sullivan and Alan Cronin neither of whom will be easily outpaced on the flanks.

Of more concern to Tipperary's defence will be the spectre of Colin Corkery, currently positioning himself as Footballer of the Year. His routine ability to kick spectacular points makes him a nightmare for teams a lot stronger than Tipperary. Will the Tipp half-back line have the discipline to drop back in order to squeeze him?

However you look at this, it has to be Cork with an intense learning experience available for Tipperary ahead of the final qualifying round - if they work hard enough.

CORK: K O'Dwyer; O Sexton, C O'Sullivan, A Lynch; S Levis, R McCarthy, G Canty; N Murphy, M O'Sullivan; BJ O'Sullivan, M Cronin, A Cronin; P Clifford, C Corkery, F Murray.

TIPPERARY: P Ryan; N Kelly, S Collum, D Byrne; B Hahessy, N Fitzgerald, S Maher; K Mulryan, F O'Callaghan; D O'Brien, B Cummins, L England; P Cahill, P Lambert, D Browne.