Cork v Limerick: Here stands a team on the brink of being crowned the greatest of a generation against a pack of hurlers seemingly lost in the dark ages.
"We all know hurling has changed dramatically in the last five years but Limerick haven't had success playing the same brand of hurling in over 30 years." That was Limerick trainer Ger Cunningham's opinion before stepping down with other members of Joe McKenna's management after Clare thumped them 2-21 to 0-10 last month.
Since then, as often seems to be the case, a fresh voice from the line led to a mini-revival with improved performances in beating Offaly and Dublin. Well, they were impressive margins of victory.
The return of Brian Geary, Stephen Lucey and Ollie Moran provides renewed steel in defence, while TJ Ryan is named at wing forward. Is this a ploy to disrupt the incessant promptings of Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and John Gardiner or just a number on the captain's back? Putting Ryan inside on Diarmuid O'Sullivan or employing him to mind Brian Corcoran seem like more practical options.
The sole Cork change since accounting for Tipperary in the Munster final is Neil Ronan at wing forward. The Ballyhea clubman is widely viewed as a devastating impact replacement but he has earned the opportunity to shine from the outset.
Cork arrive at this juncture unbeaten in 12 championship matches, dating back to the 2004 Munster final against Waterford, but the six to one odds on a Limerick victory may tempt a few punters. To gain any profit off a Cork win the wager must be 10 times the pay out.
As usual, the holy trinity at half back should mop up the breaks, midfielders Tom Kenny and Jerry O'Connor are expected to terrorise defenders with strong running from deep and any one of the six forwards can hit a hot streak.
And yet, a gut feeling is festering that a massive ripple effect could be spreading through hurling by tonight. If Limerick disrupt the Cork rhythm early they have the players to strip them of the immortality that only comes with winning three-in-a-row. To comprehend the intensity levels required to achieve such an upset see Clare's display in last year's All-Ireland semi-final. And even that fell short.
Can the near impossible occur? Probably not but hurling desperately needs a shake-up from somewhere. We'll back the bookies for now. Cork by four points.
CORK: D Óg Cusack; P Mulcahy, D O'Sullivan, B Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, J O'Connor; T McCarthy, N McCarthy, N Ronan; B O'Connor, B Corcoran, J Deane.
LIMERICK: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, S Hickey; O Moran, B Geary, M Foley; B Foley, D Ryan; N Moran, M O'Brien, TJ Ryan; A O'Shaughnessy, B Begley, C Fitzgerald.
Referee: E Morris (Dublin)
