Winner-takes-all clash between Tipperary and Cork is looming

Another crunch weekend is in store in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, that gift that keeps on giving.

Tipperary and Cork meet at FBD Semple Stadium at 4pm on Sunday, by which stage Clare and Waterford will already have settled their differences at Cusack Park, Ennis, also on Sunday, at 2pm.

And in what will be music to the ears to all those who aren’t enamoured with GAAGO, or for whom the online streaming service isn’t easily accessible, both games will be shown live on RTÉ.

Cork’s surprise defeat of All-Ireland champions Limerick in that epic encounter at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday evening has blown the championship wide open.

The losers of Sunday’s game in Thurles will be out of contention for a place in Munster’s top three, which carries qualification for the All-Ireland series. A draw might be enough to keep both in contention.

In effect, this will be a knockout game.

Following a heavy defeat by Limerick in their opening game and a reviving draw against Waterford the last day out, Tipperary are searching for a first win in this year’s round robin.

They will be hoping to improve upon a very poor record in this round robin phase of the championship that has seen them win just one of their last ten games in the province (against Clare last year), a poor run that includes three draws and six defeats.

Equally worryingly, Tipp have won just two of their last twelve games in the Munster and All-Ireland championships.

They are also chasing a first championship victory over The Rebels in four years, as one of the most storied rivalries in the GAA’s history will be renewed.

Last year’s corresponding fixture ended level, while Cork won easily two years ago on a 3-30 to 1-24 scoreline.

Tipp revived their campaign with that drawn game against Waterford at Walsh Park a fortnight ago, although Sunday’s opponents will have gained an even bigger bounce from that thrilling 3-28 to 3-26 win over Limerick last weekend.

Tipp are in a better place now than they were when trooping out of the TUS Gaelic Grounds on April 28, having been on the receiving end of a 15-points hiding by Limerick.

However, beating a rejuvenated Cork will still be a tall order, especially if The Rebels can reproduce the level of intensity that they sustained for most of the 70-plus minutes against Limerick.

Worrying for Tipp, however, is the statistic that shows this Cork team are so far the top scorers in the provincial championship, with a haul of 7-77 from their three games, and six points ahead of Limerick, with 8-68, and who have played the same number of games.

Tipperary suffered a major systems failure against Limerick in their debut outing in this campaign.

The most troubling aspect of that day wasn’t the loss of the game as such but the nature of the defeat, with manager Liam Cahill stating before their next game against Waterford that they “took great ownership of our display during the week”.

In doing so, they produced a much improved performance against the Deise, showing great spirit to stay in touch with Waterford before conjuring up a late goal from Sean Kenneally and an equalising free from Gearoid O’Connor in added time.

After the game, Jake Morris told GAAGO that it had been “a tough week for us as a group. We let ourselves and the fans down (against Limerick).

“We fought to the end here today. We said we would go for it and have a good rattle at it.

“We didn’t flow as much as we would like but showed great determination and character.

“We were found wanting last week, we answered a certain amount of questions (against Waterford).

“We had to steel ourselves and tighten up as a group”.

Meanwhile, Michael Breen told GAAGO “we had to lock it down and focus on ourselves (after Limerick). Your head would be messed up if you started listening to outside noise.

“We didn’t turn up last week, simple as.

“If you lose two on the trot it would be a hard place to go for games three and four”.

As well as stressing the pride that he has in the players, Liam Cahill also said he was proud of the Tipperary supporters who travelled to Walsh Park.

His team will need much more support this Sunday when they entertain Cork, a team whose followers always travel in great numbers, especially to a venue as accessible as Thurles, and at a time when they have a spring in their step after last weekend’s tonic victory.

The counties will meet in the championship for the 91st time, with Tipperary leading 41-39 in wins. There have also been nine draws and one abandoned game.

The referee will be Waterford’s Thomas Walsh and the curtain raiser at 1.45pm is the Munster Senior Camogie Championship final between Cork and Waterford.