Hannon insists Limerick playing the ‘form team’ in the semi-final

“CORK are probably the form team at the moment going into this All-Ireland semi-final,” according to record-breaking Limerick captain Declan Hannon.

The Adare man was speaking this Tuesday at eir headquarters in Dublin ahead of the Limerick v Cork All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final on Sunday, July 7 at 4pm in Croke Park.

After winning their sixth Munster title in-a-row against Clare, Limerick now face the Rebels who have won their last four games on the trot.

Hannon is acutely aware of the dangers that Cork pose to their drive for five and success in this All-Ireland championship campaign.

“I think once the Munster championship finishes the All-Ireland series takes on a whole new lease of life and they are all new games. Cork are coming into this game after winning four games on the bounce, which isn't an easy thing to do in inter-county championship, so we will need an awful lot to go right for us on the day and hopefully for neutrals watching on it will be another cracker of a game.”

Cork are also coming into this game not only with a streak of confidence under their belts but also the slight upper hand on the Shannonsiders after beating them in SuperValue Páirc Úi Chaoimh in the round robin section of the Munster Championship.

“I have always rated Cork as one of the top teams in the country and every single time we play them it's such a fast paced game, their skill rate and intensity are just through the roof.

“Like last year in the Gaelic Grounds there was only a point between us and beat us earlier in the year so I think it's going to be another belter of a game and it's a pleasure to be involved in it and everyone in the team is looking forward to it.”