"Cork need to find energy and aggression from the throw-in" - Cusack

Cork will need to start with “energy and aggression” if they are to derail Limerick’s Munster SHC seven-in-a-row bid, according to former Rebels goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack.

Pat Ryan’s men will look to land their county’s first provincial crown since 2018 tomorrow evening at the TUS Gaelic Grounds (throw-in 6pm) by reversing the result from three weeks ago when the Shannonsiders recorded a 3-26 to 1-16 win over them at the same venue.

Writing in his column for RTE Sport ahead of this weekend’s games, Cusack outlined what he reckons is needed from Cork in order to dethrone their neighbours and bring the Mick Mackey Cup back to Leeside.

“To win tomorrow, Cork need to find energy and aggression from the throw-in. Marking cannot be Covid-style social distancing. Cian Lynch can’t be allowed to conduct the orchestra. There must be a way around the state-of-the-art surveillance and response unit that has Kyle Hayes at number six,” wrote the three-time All-Ireland winner.

“The Cork full-forward line needs to show and make it tell with goals. The middle third has to be a battlefield with fire coming from both trenches this time. Cork could do all that and still lose.

“What’s been most impressive about Limerick this year is their continued growth. They have the experience. They have embedded new faces who have been on the panel for two or three years being readied for this.

“They have the most comprehensive team of substitutes that we can remember a top team having and they have two brains working in one with Kiely and Kinnerk.

“A good fight, Cork to narrow the gap. The heart even says Cork might eliminate that gap, but the head says a storied seven-in-a row for Limerick.”