Now I’m not one for playing the poor mouth but we’re after coming through the worst month of May ever, between illness and all the goings on.
And now the weather has broken just as we’re doing the sileage.
I know there’s people worse off but I lost a few friends in the meantime. It’s been a difficult, sad old month but we have to soldier on.
But what is a new record for me here in Ballynoe, I didn’t hear the cuckoo at all. And I’m a cuckoo watcher, as well as being a hurling watcher. But he’s gone scarce. Even across the border in Clare.
Maybe it’s a warning sign for myself! Either way, we’ll keep going.
We got a great lift from the Kilfenora Céilí Band who were delighted with the mention here last week. And we needed it too after a Munster championship that hasn’t delivered.
Hype: Limerick’s Barry Nash clashes with Clare’s Tony Kelly in the Munster Championship
I’ve been very critical of the Munster campaign so far. It hasn’t lived up to the hype and sensationalism that tends to be built up around it.
The most important aspect of it is the two teams who have been on it since day one, and during the league, are in the final.
Cork are short captain Darragh Fitzgibbon while Limerick are at full strength. Over the spring, John Kiely found a few players and Aidan O’Connor has been a sensation, and has really integrated into the half-forward line with the likes of a rejuvenated Gearóid Hegarty.
At the back, Diarmaid Byrnes and co were being half written off, questioned even in Limerick. But the half-back line have been hurling out of their skins.
Possession game: Cork’s Tim O’Mahony claims the ball against Limerick earlier this year
Not casting any aspersions on Galway-Dublin and the Leinster final but this is the crème de la crème. It’s going to be a real cracker.
Cork have home advantage and a massive crowd behind them. But this is a game where tactics will play a big part.
The Limerick tactics, we know. They’ll go for broke early on. They go for the jugular from the flag fall. Did it against Tipperary with a goal inside 30 seconds from Aaron Gillane.
Against Tipp and Clare they showed the ruthlessness they have. The power and strength in every line. The mindset they have, you love to see it in a team. They’re all married in to the one system.
Up to now, the big issue is they’ve been allowed dominate. Been allowed set down a marker by their opponents.
I believe the strongest line they have is still their half-back line. Diarmaid Byrnes, Will O’Donoghue and Kyle Hayes still have the ability to control a game. Nickie Quaid is like an extra back in goal while they have Gillane back and firing.
What will Cork manager Ben O’Connor do to nullify those obvious strengths, that’s the question?
If he’s true to his word, there will be an edge to Cork. Because the tendency is still to suggest there’s a soft belly there.
It has manifested in a few games when they dropped down a gear and looked ordinary.
Danger man: Limerick’s Aaron Gillane is a key weapon when they go for the jugular
But when you look at their full-forward line of William Buckley, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes, they have such a threat against a Limerick full-back line that has only played in patches.
Cork will have to get the ball to them. To do that, they have to press up on Limerick, give them no room.
That comfort zone that teams tend to afford them only plays to their strengths. They tend to intimidate the opposition who can give them the freedom of the park.
I’ve seen Byrnes catch a ball unchallenged and weigh up whether to give it to Hegarty or pick out a different forward.
Opponents have allowed Kyle Hayes to make those runs up the wing. Look at Tipperary who fouled him for a penalty the last time.
He’s not a god. He’s an ordinary individual. Yet Tipperary didn’t put a challenge on him far enough out the field. Cork have to mark him and cut off the supply at source.
That has been Ben O’Connor’s gameplan. And it has to be. You either front up and go toe-to-toe with Limerick or good luck.
This will be a throwback to the Mackey era. Of old style hurling and physicality. I have a feeling that we’re in for a sensational Munster final.
If there’s a weakness for Cork, maybe it’s a 10-out-of-10 freetaker.
Gameplan: Cork’s Ben O’Connor needs to have a tactic to keep tabs on Kyle Hayes of Limerick
Damien Cahalane has been under pressure at times at full-back with Ciaran Joyce out for the season.
That’s one of the reasons I’m edging towards Limerick. I fancy them. They look to be the complete package.
Home venue will help to offset the loss of Darragh Fitzgibbon but they’ll miss his leadership under pressure.
Limerick to come through.
