Limerick have the capacity and experience to spring a surprise

DID MICKEY Ned O’Sullivan fling his shoe at the television or sink into his armchair with a wry smile when Cork were pulled from the hat? Not many people outside of Munster know it, but Limerick are a better than decent side. They have solid, diligent defenders with hurling names, a Goliath in midfield and a few excellent scoring forwards.

Kerry and Cork have kept them a secret; the plaything of the Munster championship that rarely fails to give the big two a scare. Last year Cork got the fright of their lives in the provincial final.

This season it was Kerry that John Galvin, Stephen Kelly and company almost felled, in Killarney of all places. It took Colm Cooper and Declan O’Sullivan, amongst others, to hit full throttle before Limerick were to be silenced.

And now this.

Any consideration of a Cork defeat may seem ludicrous but think about it for a second. Cork are the better-equipped team but in no area of the field will they hold complete dominance.

Cork will need their Graham Cantys, Pearse O’Neills and Daniel Gouldings to step up and deliver.

For the sake of a contest we can only hope the devastation of defeat in Killarney was buried quickly and Mickey Ned has devised a plan to drag the neighbours into a score-for-score battle.

Because if Limerick can go down the home strait with Kerry and Cork enough times they are going to beat one of them.

Cork were not done any favours by the Wexford qualifier last week, while Limerick are sick of being the valiant losers.

The worm might just turn today.

Another heroic performance from Galvin is required and this is the moment Ian Ryan must rediscover his goal-scoring touch of a few seasons back.

LIMERICK: B Scanlon; M O’Riordan, J McCarthy, A Lane; S Lavin, S Lucey, P Ranahan; J O’Donovan, J Galvin; P Browne, J Ryan, S Buckley; G Collins, I Ryan, S Kelly.

CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields J O’Sullivan; J Miskella, G Canty, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh; F Goold, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C Sheehan, C ONeill.

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).

In the last episode: Fifth time lucky for Limerick? Each time these sides have met since 2006 the team in green have come up short.

You bet: Limerick are a decent bet at 9/2, Cork are 1/4 with the draw at 11/1.

On your marks: Cork will seek to build an early cushion of scores through a range of different attacking options. They must do this to stymie any early Limerick momentum.

Gaining ground: Both have played Kerry this summer, Cork losing in a replay, while three
successive points by Declan O'Sullivan mortally wounded Limerick's challenge.

Just the ticket:Supporters can pay in at the gate. Stand €25, terrace €20, student/OAP €15.

Crystal gazing: Cork are capable of finally winning the All-Ireland but Limerick are capable of beating them if everything clicks. Mickey Ned believes his team has the mental fortitude. We believe Mickey Ned.