The Daily Star Ireland
Cork’s bid to end their long-standing All-Ireland hurling drought may hinge on the availability of veteran forward Séamus Harnedy, according to former Limerick star Niall Moran. Now in his 13th season, Harnedy has remained a pivotal figure for the Rebels, although a hamstring injury sidelined him during their dominant semi-final win over Dublin at Croke Park.
Despite missing that match, manager Pat Ryan confirmed before the game that Harnedy would be available for selection should Cork advance to the final. That progress was secured in emphatic fashion, with a high-scoring forward unit delivering a 5-30 to 2-14 demolition of Dublin. In Harnedy’s absence, Declan Dalton stepped up in the half-forward line, contributing five points, some from distance and under pressure, to cement his own credentials.
Substitutes also impressed, with Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane adding spark off the bench. However, with Tipperary awaiting in the decider, whether to recall Harnedy becomes one of Ryan’s most significant tactical decisions.
Veteran Influence vs Emerging Firepower
Harnedy’s impact earlier in the season strengthens the case for his inclusion. He was instrumental in Cork’s Munster Championship win over Tipperary, notching five points from play, and again stood out in their Munster final triumph against Limerick. His leadership and consistency have made him a mainstay since his debut more than a decade ago, earning him three All-Star awards along the way.
Speaking on RTÉ 2fm’s Game On, Moran argued that Harnedy’s presence is non-negotiable if Cork are to end their title famine. “He has to find a place for Seamie Harnedy,” he said, stressing that Cork’s chances without him would be diminished. He acknowledged the selection headache this presents, noting the depth in the forward line and questioning who might make way.
Moran also warned that the weight of expectation could become a factor. Cork haven’t lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup since 2005, and with their attacking flair catching national attention, he believes the pressure may tilt psychological advantage toward Tipperary.
“If it’s a one or two-point game with ten minutes to go, what happens mentally for Cork?” he asked. “Liam Cahill will know that dynamic well. I think he’s got the psychological edge.”
Tipperary’s Motivation and Resilience
Eddie Brennan, an eight-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny, also shared insights on the same programme. He believes Tipperary are entering the final with a clear agenda—redemption.
Cork have defeated Tipperary twice this season, including a comprehensive victory in the National League final and a convincing result during the Munster round-robin at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. According to Brennan, those defeats have fueled Tipp’s hunger and sharpened their focus ahead of the final.
“If Liam Cahill could have hand-picked an opponent for the final, this is who he would’ve chosen,” said Brennan. “They’ve probably been asking themselves: are we going to let Cork do that to us again?”
Brennan praised Tipperary’s unity and intensity throughout the championship, describing their resurgence as collective rather than reliant on any single player. However, he questioned whether they could match Cork’s energy for the full 70 minutes, particularly with the attacking threats Cork can introduce from the bench.
