Seanie McGrath expects a very tight contest between Limerick and Cork

SEANIE McGrath lined out for Cork against Limerick during his distinguished inter-county career on numerous occasions.
McGrath played for the Leesiders between 1997 and 2003.

The Glen Rovers clubman won three Munster titles and one All-Ireland senior hurling title.

“My first game was in the Gaelic Grounds in 1998 and we beat them the same day. You would always associate Limerick with having brilliant players. That time, they came on the back of the 1994 and 1996 All-Ireland final defeats. You could argue that they definitely should have won one of the All-Ireland's if not the two of them.”

Every time the former Cork hurler faced Limerick he had different man markers in each game including Brian Begley, Davy Clarke, and Stephen McDonagh.

The 2001 championship clash between Limerick and Cork is a game which stands out for the 1999 All-Star.

“They had characters on their team like Ciaran Carey, Gary Kirby and Mike Houlihan. I'll always remember Barry Foley's famous line ball. Barry's line ball was unbelievable and he got a line ball under the south stand and lashed it over the bar and they beat us by a point. Obviously people remember ‘the Rock's’ point from 50 yards.”

This Sunday afternoon Cork take on Limerick in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final in Croke at 4pm. The former Cork senior hurling selector hasn't been surprised by the amount of supporters that have got behind this Cork team.

“We know nothing else only to support Cork. From being a fan, all through my younger days until I started playing, we went to everything. My father brought me to games all the time and it was foregone conclusion that we would be on the bus or on the train, whether it would be Munster championship or the All-Ireland championship.

“We knew nothing else and I suppose it's just something that gets passed on, whether the team is going well or whether the team is going poorly. The supporters will support the Cork team no matter what.”

In their last two games Cork have gotten past Offaly and Dublin comfortably but there is a concern about their performances heading into this weekend.

“The only concern I would have is that it's difficult enough to flick a switch. I actually do think, believe it or not, that they've learned a few things from those games. They got over it and hopefully they have a clean bill of health. One of things is the minute your energy levels, attitude and application goes down no matter who you're playing there is a major target that you can be turned over. The last two games have just been a little bit flat.”

McGrath has been impressed with Limerick since their defeat to Cork.

“The reality is there is no team out there as good as Limerick. They just have generational players that are absolutely outstanding. The hope is that Cork can get close to their level and that some of their key players dip a little bit. That's sort of the hope at the minute.

“Kiely has got the attitude right since the Cork game. I thought they were a good bit better than Clare in the Munster final.”
Cork centre half back Robert Downey missed the All-Ireland quarter-final through sickness and McGrath expects him to come back into the starting XV for Sunday's game.

Four teams remain in the hunt for the Liam MacCarthy Cup but who does the former Cork attacker see reaching the All-Irelanmd SHC final?

“I think it'll be a Limerick and Clare final. I just think Limerick will have a small bit on us.

“There won't be much in it but I think Limerick will be too strong for ourselves. I just think that Clare will have it over Kilkenny.”