Niall Moran: Cork won't win All-Ireland without Séamus Harnedy
The 36-year-old has enjoyed another stellar season in red, but missed the rout of Dublin in Saturday's semi-final with a hamstring issue.
Ahead of the game at Croke Park, manager Pat Ryan said the influential St Ita's man would be available for the decider should the Rebels progress.
His replacement in the half-forward line, Declan Dalton, delivered a strong performance, picking off 0-05 including some long-range missiles both from play and placed balls. With the full-forward line plundering 5-11 and the likes of Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane impressing off the bench it means Ryan has plenty of options up front.
Whether to restore Harnedy to the team to face Tipperary could be the biggest decision.
Now in his 13th season, he took the Premier County for five points from play in the Munster round-robin victory and starred on the half-forward line in the Munster final success over Limerick.
Speaking on 2fm's Game On, Moran feels the three-time All-Star should be included from the start.
"He has to find a place for Seamie Harnedy," he said. "In my book, Cork don't win any All-Ireland without him. Who will be the unlucky person to miss out?"
Moran says that while the swashbuckling nature of Cork's run to the final has caught the eye, the mounting pressure to win Liam MacCarthy for the first time since 2005 could play into Tipperary's hands.
"The real weight of expectation is going to be on one team and one team only and that's Cork.
"If Cork are only a point or two up, with 10 minutes left, how will the psychology of that work for them?
"Whose camp would you prefer to be preparing for? I definitely think Liam Cahill has all the aces up his sleeve in terms of that.
"Can Tipp bring that level of performance and a little bit extra? It's not beyond them."
Also speaking on the programme was decorated Kilkenny hurler Eddie Brennan.
The eight-time All-Ireland winner says given the resounding defeats to the Rebels already this season, Tipperary head into the decider brimming with motivation.
"After what happened in the league final and the round-robin in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, if Liam Cahill had a wish list, this is the one he wanted to get," he said.
"I'd imagine they are saying, 'are these boys going to put on an exhibition against us again?' That's the sole motivation.
"Tipp are in a great place, their collective has really impressed me, but I'm not sure they can hold Cork for 70 minutes, plus the three or four forwards that are going to come in full of energy."
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Extra.ie
34 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Taoiseach: My flight was NOT switched for the Cork match
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Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 'That's a given… [but] when there are last-minute changes to schedules, there ought to be a straightforward explanation forthcoming… especially in cases where there may be additional, unexpected expenditure involved.' Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín noted the Middle East has been a risk for 'quite some time' and questioned why the original flights were booked in the first place. He said: 'We have had this before. Politicians have changed flights for their entourage in the past for frivolous reasons. 'If flights are changed for the Taoiseach and his officials for security reasons, that's logical. However, if any decision was influenced by non-security issues, like a GAA match, that's outrageous. We could be talking about tens of thousands of taxpayers' money here. I believe the Taoiseach should publish the security advice he received and publish the cost of the changes immediately.' Peter Burke TD. 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A spokesman in the Department of the Taoiseach confirmed to the Mail that Mr Martin's return flights, and those of his delegation, were changed a week before he travelled to Japan. Asked if ensuring the Taoiseach would be back in Dublin in time for the match played any role in the changing of the flights, the spokesman said the change was 'to mitigate against any risk of flight cancellations given the security situation, which had resulted in extensive Middle East airspace being closed in the days prior'. Numerous countries closed their airspaces after Iran launched an airstrike on a US naval base in Qatar on June 23 – a week before the Taoiseach visited Japan. Airports Dubai, which is almost 700km from Qatar, briefly suspended flights in the 24 hours after the attack. According to a Government spokesman, the cost of changing flights for Mr Martin and his staff 'has not yet been reconciled'. Flights from Osaka to Toronto Pearson this coming Friday, July 11, begin at €1,047 for an economy seat and extend to €4,974 for business class. To fly from Toronto Pearson to Dublin on the same night would cost €271 in economy and €3,800 in business class. This means that booking new flights for the Taoiseach and his staff could cost anywhere between €9,226, if the entire team flew economy, and €61,418 if everyone flew business class. Sources pointed out that while it is common for Government leaders to fly business class on official trips, many delegates going with them will travel in economy.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
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East Kerry appoint Adrian Sheehan to manager their senior football team
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