TJ Ryan expects Limerick and Cork to face-off in All-Ireland hurling final

DESPITE Limerick's Munster final defeat, TJ Ryan still expects the Shannonsiders’ to meet Cork in this year's All-Ireland hurling final.

“I think that Limerick and Cork are the two best teams in the country. At the start of the year, I felt that and I haven't changed my mind. I don't see anything different now, I think both teams will end up in the All-Ireland final. And it'll be settled once and for all in Croke Park,” said former Limerick hurler and manager TJ Ryan.

Although, Ryan has predicted a Limerick v Cork All-Ireland hurling final, he still thinks Kilkenny will have a say in this year's championship. ‘The Cats’ were crowned Leinster champions last weekend after a comfortable victory over Galway.

“It's definitely not a foregone conclusion that Limerick and Cork meet in an All-Irelad final. I would also say that Limerick's journey to the All-Ireland final is tougher by the road they have to go. I like what Kilkenny are doing, they're better than they were last year. I think they will have a say in the Championship.”

John Kiely's Limerick side face Kildare or Dublin in the All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-final on Saturday, June 21.

“I just think that given what Limerick have done over the last number of years they would prefer less games. It's an extra day out which makes things more difficult, it's every two weeks now you don't get a chance to get any knocks or niggles right.
“It is what it is now and they've got to get on with it, they've done it before."

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The Garryspillane native sees scoring efficiency as an area that Limerick can improve on heading into the All-Ireland series.

“The scoring efficiency and the shots that's probably the only area they need to fix. If they fix that, they could have easily won the game in extra time last weekend. They don't have much to fix and Cork are a very good side.”

Ryan wouldn't be surprised to see changes to the Limerick starting XV for the upcoming All-Ireland quarter-final. 

“In fairness, we have always seen some bit of a shake up. I think, we might see one or two changes if John is planning for a successful end to 2025, he might have his eye on one or two positions.”

Peter Casey, Shane O'Brien, Darragh O'Donovan and Cathal O'Neill are players who will push for a spot, said TJ Ryan.

“All these guys have something to offer, I just think at some stage you might see them get a start and shake things up.”
Winning six Munster titles in-a-row has been remarkable for Limerick, but Cork winning the Munster title in Limerick is not something this group will like," according to Ryan.

“Six-in-a-row is remarkable, this Limerick team won't like that the Mick Mackey Cup was taken out of the Galeic Grounds by Cork. That's just the way they'll view it. It's done now, the competitions at the start of the year you've got the National League and you have the Munster championship. The two of them are over now, we haven't won them so we have to move onto the All-Ireland championship now.”