NHL Division 1A final: Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 4pm – Live on TG4
The only questions that matter will soon be faced, but for two teams with so many known quantities it was remarkable how vigorously Cork and Limerick went in search of answers during the league.
Ben O’Connor kept spinning his team selections like a bingo drum. In their starting 15s Cork averaged six changes in personnel from game to game, but more than that, established players were auditioned for untypical roles.
Ciarán Joyce started games at full back, centre back and centrefield, finishing one game at wing back; Tim O’Mahony had a spin at centre forward; Eoin Downey landed at wing back. Darragh Fitzgibbon was an All-Star centrefielder last year but has scarcely spent any time in that position this season and looks booked for a summer run at wing forward.
In all of this, there is an element of calculated instability. After the All-Ireland final there was a rabid appetite for change among the locals, and the new Cork management trawled extensively for fresh talent during the off-season.
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The reality, though, is that at least a dozen of the team that started against Tipperary last July will be first choice come the championship, and that number would be higher but for the injury to Diarmuid Healy that is likely to sideline him for the first round of the Munster championship at least. The previous management had identified the best players.
The six backs that started last year’s All-Ireland final will almost certainly constitute the Cork defence again, just in a different formation. Eoin Downey has been terrific at wing back, Cormac O’Brien has not done enough to dislodge any of the incumbents, and despite an extensive trial Daire O’Leary hasn’t nailed down the number three jersey.
There is a sense, though, that full back has not yet been resolved. Joyce started there against Offaly, and O’Connor said he would have played him there earlier but for various injuries. Joyce was an improvised full back on one of Pat Ryan’s All-Ireland winning under-20 teams, but he is a half back by nature.
That is also true of the Downey brothers, both of whom have played All-Ireland finals for Cork at full back, but neither of whom was tried there in this league. It is the only position on the field where Cork are scrambling for a comfortable solution.
Limerick’s approach to the league was notable for how much playing time was afforded to their most experienced players. It was as if, after all these years, some of them were on trial again.
It now looks certain that Gearóid Hegarty and Tom Morrissey are contesting one spot in the half-forward line, Séan Finn, Dan Morrissey and Mike Casey are in a fight for two available spots in the full-back line and Peter Casey could be cast as an impact sub, a role he has previously occupied. Injury curtailed his playing time during the league, though he was terrific against Kilkenny, especially.
In terms of leadership in the Limerick attack, responsibility has been redistributed. Aidan O’Connor has established himself at centre forward and as the front line free taker; Cathal O’Neill has been used in a variety of positions from 5 to 12 over the years, but he looks to have finally nailed down a home in the half-forward line, and having been left out for two of Limerick’s biggest games last year – the Munster final and the All-Ireland quarter-final – Shane O’Brien is Aaron Gillane’s preferred partner in their two-man inside line.
Limerick, though, have been looking for a settled successor to Declan Hannon at number six and whatever doubts they might harbour about Will O’Donoghue, they seem convinced that playing centre back is not the best use of Kyle Hayes’ talent.
There is no question about his aptitude for the role, but they want him as an attacking force, and it is much easier to do that from number seven. In the Munster final last year, Cork neutralised his influence at centre back after the first 20 minutes and they basically need Hayes on the ball.
It is hard to say who needs this most, but it is the first time since 2023 that Limerick have shaped liked they wanted to win the league and that might carry them over the line. Cork have other needs.
Verdict: Limerick
