Ryan wary of free-scoring Dublin ahead of semi-final
Cork manager Pat Ryan says his team are wary of the heavy scoring power of Dublin ahead of their All-Ireland SHC semi-final.
The Rebels, who have made three changes in personnel for Saturday, enter the first of this year's semi-finals as favourites to move within one game of ending a 20-year wait for All-Ireland glory.
Having blitzed their way to a league title, Cork looked at times unstoppable in full flight, but a big Clare fightback in the Munster opener and a shellacking at the hands of Limerick seemed to cause many to reassess their Liam MacCarthy credentials.
However a penalty shootout win over the Treaty, plus the exit of reigning champions Clare has propelled the men in red back to the position as favourites for ultimate glory.
Standing in their way of back-to-back All-Ireland final appearances, and a third in five years are surprise package Dublin, who caused a stir in ending Limerick’s championship campaign at the last-eight stage.
Having finished third in Leinster, not many predicted Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s side to prevail for their biggest result since provincial glory in 2013.
Their haul of 2-24 against a vaunted Limerick defence was only bettered this year in 70 minutes by Clare in what was a dead rubber. It follows on from plundering 3-25 against an improving Kildare in the preliminary quarter-final.
Ryan says given their scoring prowess and last year’s keenly-fought quarter-final where Cork prevailed by five points, it points to a significant challenge.
Cork manager Pat Ryan
"We played them last year and we were very lucky to get over them," he told RTÉ Sport. "I think they missed a couple of frees on the day in Thurles.
"We know how good Dublin are. They are a big physical, strong team. They're getting a lot of scores from a lot of areas. They've a lot of scorers which is something we're going to have to quell on Saturday night."
The Dubs have played twice since Cork emerged victorious in the memorable Munster final victory, but Ryan doesn’t feel that will have any relevance when the ball is thrown in at GAA HQ.
"Preparations have been good. Some people talk about the four weeks being hard to manage, but that won't be a complaint of ours on Saturday. Fellas have trained really hard.
"We got a lot of good work into fellas and a lot of good recovery into fellas. We're ready to go."
Whatever transpires on the pitch, it promises to be a colourful occasion on Jones’ Road.
Cork fans will travel in numbers again this weekend
Cork’s semi-final with Limerick 12 months ago broke new ground as the first hurling semi-final to sell-out at Croke Park, and that looks set to be repeated on Saturday. Indeed Cork’s last eight championship games, stretching back to the 2024 win over champions Limerick, have been sell-outs.
The interest in the capital has soared since toppling Limerick and Ryan is expecting another feast of hurling.
"It's great for hurling. Great for Cork, great for Dublin winning last week. We know that's really enthused their fans.
"From our side, we know there'll be a huge Cork crowd going up. There's a lot of money being spent and our job is to make sure we honour that jersey and honour their (the supporters) efforts."
Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals with RTÉ Sport. Cork v Dublin on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and Kilkenny v Tipperary on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow live blogs on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
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