McCarthy gambles big time

MUNSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL: Cork v Limerick:IT'S A clever idea but also smacks of desperation. David Breen, Paul Browne and Limerick captain Bryan O'Sullivan are all forwards, and decent hurlers, so their manager has redeployed them to the heart of the Limerick defence in an attempt to bring some authority to a group of novices.

Shaun O’Riordan joins Browne and O’Sullivan in the half-back line so he should come into direct contact with Newtownshandrum club-mates Cathal Naughton and Ben and Jerry O’Connor. Or at least see a blur of red as they fly past.

Limerick are fielding nine championship debutants. That is a dangerous amount but McCarthy offered some optimistic rhetoric this week in the Limerick Post.

“You are looking at the future of Limerick hurling here. This is a three-year plan. People have to be patient and realistic too, but I would hope that every support and encouragement will be given to the team. There is great potential here. I can see very good hurlers coming out of it. I can see great players developing and the future for Limerick hurling is good.”

Now, McCarthy has a two-year term, so is he seeking another term?

Cork come in off the back of their best display in some time. They were far superior to Tipperary and proved the league final defeat to Galway was an aberration.

Some of the great Limerick names of years gone by are refusing to make the short hop over to the Páirc tomorrow afternoon. They can’t face it. They don’t support the decision of the clubs. But the system that ratified McCarthy – on three occasions – is the foundation of the GAA.

Cork will almost certainly show up its inherent flaws when they get hold of the sliotar. Again and again and again. Long day coming.

CORK: D Óg Cusack; S O'Neill, E Cadogan, B Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, C Naughton; B O'Connor, J O'Connor, N McCarthy; K Murphy, A Ó hAilpín, P Horgan.

LIMERICK: T Flynn; S O'Neill, D Breen, K O'Rourke; S O'Riordan, B O'Sullivan (capt), P Browne; T O'Brien, A Brennan; JV O'Brien, P McNamara, S Herlihy; G Mulcahy, A Owens, R McKeogh.

Referees: J Owens (Wexford).

In the last episode– Cork beat them in the league by 2-21 to 1-14. Limerick last beat Cork in the Paírc back in 2001, 1-16 to 1-15.

You bet– Throw €100 on Cork and Paddy Power will kindly give you back €101. The points spread is 16 (at 10/11). Limerick can be got at 16/1.

On your marks– Cork will work the ball inside to Aisake Ó hAilpín. David Breen has been put in there to cover the Na Piarsaigh man's slender 6ft 7in frame. The result of this first ball inside will determine just how quickly Limerick will crumble.

Gaining ground– TV3 are televising what many predict will be a bloodbath by the River Lee so a small crowd is expected.

Just the ticket– Children and OAPs are €5, with terrace €20 and covered stand costing €30. There should be plenty available tomorrow afternoon as only a small Limerick crowd are expected.

Crystal gazing– About 10 minutes into the second half the camera will give the nation a close-up of Justin McCarthy. The score could be approaching record proportions. His face will tell the story. +