The backs versus forwards battle of most significance in tomorrow's All-Ireland minor hurling final at Croke Park is expected to be waged in Galway's half of the pitch.
Cork have chalked up an imposing 5-45 in their three matches to date, a record for two Munster championship ties and an All-Ireland semi-final.
A priority for Galway manager John Hardiman has been to make his defenders aware of the danger that lurks in all of Cork's attacking positions. "For me the issue hinges on our backs against their forwards," he said. The Galway cover was solid against Offaly in the semi-final but Hardiman said: "They will have to take a step-up on that performance for, with all due respects to Offaly's forwards, they didn't hold the sort of threat expected of Cork."
Kevin Brady was one of the real heroes of that Galway defence against the Leinster champions but tomorrow he will fill the left half forward spot in a reshuffle that sees attack leader JP O'Connell, the only forward not to score in the semi-final, lose out.
Five of the Galway side figured in last year's great win in the final over Tipperary and they are placed strategically to ensure experience in all areas. That experience is provided by Brian O'Mahoney at right corner back; Gerry Farragher, who was introduced as a substitute in last year's final, in midfield; and Brady who joins Richie Murray, the team captain, and Damien Hayes of last year's side in attack.
Hardiman has every right to feel apprehensive about the Cork full forward line. Setanta O hAilpin, a younger brother of Sean, Eamonn Collins and Kieran Murphy picked off all but five points of Cork's 2-17 tally against Dublin in the semi-final.
Collins' goal was a gem as he doubled on the dropping ball to the net.
Collins can switch to midfield to effect but is expected to stay put this time to ensure added pressure for the Galway defence and especially full back Tony Regan, a key figure in curbing Offaly's Rory Hanniffy.
Cork have made changes. Full back Jerry O'Brien and right half forward Gary McLoughlin have recovered from wrist and hand injuries respectively; Corner back Colm Sullivan also returns after missing the semi-final; and Conor Brosnan, who replaced midfielder Stephen O'Sullivan in that game, remains on to lead the attack with Brian Carey moving from the 40 to partner the influential Mark O'Connor in midfield.
Cork took longer than expected to put the Dublin challenge away but Dublin were a decent side and seriously under-estimated.
Though Galway's resilience in the semi-final against Offaly, in what was the best minor match so far this year, was quite exceptional, it is the Munster men that still carry the burden of the favourite's tag.
The Teams
CORK: K Murphy; C Sullivan, J O'Brien, B Murphy; S O'Neill, P Tierney, G Calnan; M O'Connor, B Carey; G McLoughlin, C Brosnan, T O'Leary; S O hAilpin, E Collins, K Murphy.
GALWAY: A Diviney; B O'Mahoney, T Regan, N Corcoran; S Kavanagh, A Diviney, A Cullinane; B Coen, G Farragher; R Murray, P Garvey, K Brady; D Hayes, T Kavanagh, D Greene.
