The climax of the Church & General National Hurling League at Thurles tomorrow benefits from its seamless relevance to this year's Munster championship. Two emerging teams with impressive semi-final wins under their belts meet on the threshold of what they have reason to hope will be a memorable summer campaign.

Waterford and Cork would have been unexpected finalists at the start of the league as both were in what was seen as marginally the easier of the two first division pools. By the time the semi-finals took place a fortnight ago, the teams' credentials were fully stamped but few foresaw them both winning, let alone the emphatic nature of the wins.

Interpreted charitably, Limerick's display against Waterford can be attributed to a confusion of focus as their championship date with Cork is only a fortnight away; interpreted charitably, Clare's display in the other semi-final was dire.

Whatever the motivations and the ambitions of the counties involved two weeks ago, it's a relief to know that neither of tomorrow's finalists is likely to be indifferent to winning the match.

There are many similarities between the teams: both have outstanding half back lines, a couple of dazzling forwards and centrefields growing in confidence. The styles of play are also similar, a consequence of Waterford having a Cork coach, Gerald McCarthy, and a supply of the same sort of players.

It is a testament to Cork's advance under Jimmy Barry Murphy that the county now stands on the verge of a national title only months after JBM was said to be worried that losing both the finals of the Oireachtas and South East League had deprived the team of its best chances of silverware this season.

The latter competition has the added relevance that Waterford were the victors but in serious play, the two league fixtures over the last two seasons, Cork retain the upper hand and were convincing winners in Dungarvan during the divisional matches.

One observer within the county attributed the poor Waterford display to a lingering nervousness among the players when facing Cork in major competition. Tomorrow can play either way for Waterford: they can fall prey to the same doubts or use the match as an opportunity to dispel them.

There is legitimate focus on the impact of a league win on Waterford: would the achievement take too much out of the team before the championship? But there is no doubting the imperative of leaving Thurles with a good display to their name rather than their collective tail between their legs.

On the selection front, nothing exceptional happened although Dave Bennett's recall for Waterford wasn't universally expected after a tentative under-21 display with his club Lismore last weekend.

An amount of speculation hangs over Brian Corcoran's Achilles tendon injury - either ruptured or cleared up depending where on the scale your rumour lands. His loss would disrupt Cork's half back line but, assuming he plays, attention will switch to whether Ken McGrath is going to stay at centre forward for Waterford or perform the now customary switch with the inter-changeable Anthony Kirwan.

The most impressive aspect of Waterford's semi-final display was the presence of quality performers up through the field. Aside from the universal excellence of the half backs, Tom Feeney played well at corner back and Sean Cullinane had a stormer on Gary Kirby at full forward (although experience suggests him to be less comfortable with pace). Tony Browne was the best midfielder on view while Ken McGrath and Paul Flynn lived up to their billing.

There was also a downside. Waterford took a long time to get into the match, to find their rhythm. Cork looked more even in their performance and are unlikely to allow their opponents the time and space to play themselves into the game.

Waterford also lost concentration when well on top in the second half. It was fair enough to commend their steadiness under the pressure but had the match turned against them it would have been an unmitigated disaster and for a team of their ambition, avoidance of disaster is a low enough mark. Cork would hardly spurn the invitation back into the match which the concession of two goals to Limerick represented.

Cork's display against Clare also had its encouraging moments, even within the limited context of the opposition provided. The defence and centrefield stood its ground while the forwards showed good touches on a perfect day for hurling.

The point could be made that the dependence on Seanie McGrath and Joe Deane to create and avail of chances was only significantly diluted by Kieran Morrison's first-half salvo. Fergal McCormack was more subdued than previously and if his opponent was Sean McMahon, tomorrow's marker Fergal Hartley is also in hot form.

Rory Kinsella, manager of Wexford with whom both teams drew in the divisional phase of the league, has a fancy for Waterford. "I think they've physically a bit of an advantage. They play fast and take no prisoners. I'd say we found them more forceful than Cork.

"We started very well against them but in the second half their half back line took over completely and we got nothing into the forwards."

It's an impressive tribute, particularly given Cork's problems in the half forward line up to the semi-final, but the belief here is that Cork will draw a more consistent level of performance from their players and will ultimately take more from the openings they create than their opponents will.