@MK76:

A system that has got within a puck of a ball of reaching last years All Ireland final where they were very very unlucky not to hold on in drawn game.And De Burca plays the sweeper role better than anyone.I don’t like the sweeper system myself but when Waterford played Cork in Thurles earlier this year Derek McGrath went without a sweeper and he felt Waterford were far too open and he admitted himself it didn’t work.De Burca,maybe apart from Austin Gleeson,would be a massive loss.

@mark kenny:

* would be Waterford’s biggest loss.

@mark kenny: Here’s the thing though Mark. Waterford didn’t make the final and even if you had, Tipp were by far the best team in the country last year. No one would have touched them.

Agree either player would be a big loss and genuinely hope De Burca plays, but what is a sweeper going to do if there is fast, low, diagonal ball played in, somewhere between the half and full forward line?

Whatever happens, I think it will be a close game, with only a few scores between them.

@mark kenny: city match v bray sat

@mark kenny: mark think you’re right

@mark kenny: Nash with his Uber accurate passing,our backlines really aggressive tackling,and overall will to bring Liam back to cork(where he belongs)cork can win

@MK76:

If the ball is played in pinpoint it is very hard for even a sweeper to counteract but what if Cork’s ball into the inside forwards is even a little off this time?Everything has gone swimmingly for Cork so far.What if a few things start to go against Cork?A few bad wides,dodgy refereeing decisions and Cork find themselves behind with Waterford hurling well?Will Cork have the answers?They were leading all the time v Clare and on top in second half v Waterford.I’d be interested to see Cork’s reaction if they were behind with 15 minutes to go.
If Waterford play with extra man back the Cork forwards wont get much space and will need pinpoint,accurate balls in but Nash will be able to pick out a free defender all day long to launch it into the forwards.It’s going to be interesting.

@mark kenny: To be fair, Cork have come under the pump in all 3 games thus far and in each occasion have responded very well, especially to goals. Interestingly, no all of their forwards have fired as a unit on the same day, so take your point on things going wrong, but what if they really click as a unit?

Like I said, it’s too close to call, with the money on the game unable to separate them. I think it will be a tense and nervous game, but if the Cork forwards are on song, I favour Cork.

@MK76:

Cork 8/11 favourites.Very rarely,if ever,do six forwards click on the same day.There will always be one or two that underperform for whatever reason.Waterford have a bit more Croke Park experience in recent years and i wonder if that will have any effect on some of these young Cork lads?I respect your opinion but i’m going with my gut instinct on this one ; De Burca plays its 50/50,he doesn’t and the bookies have it about right at 8/11 for Cork.

@mark kenny: Great stuff mark. You sound exactly like shefflin cyril and sheedy. Each one of corks wins has been explained away all year. Tipp had trouble in the camp and were undercooked. Waterford lack of games cost them. If Clare had played the way they played for 15 mins in the second half they would have won. Ive even read during the week that cork only beat waterford in the league because waterford abandoned their game plan.
Derek mcgrath is trying his best to make waterford underdogs but i think kingston will be delighted with the excuses. Cork are miles ahead of the curve already this year and even a loss will still add up to a decent season for them. Its all or nothing for waterford.

@mark kenny: nah Mark cork have the hurling craft,so when Liam comes home you’ll be one of the first to congratulate us? ceasefire on between us , hopefully it’ll hold!

@billy Dorney:

Course i would.I congratulate all deserving winners.Even the blood and bandage ha!

@damien o brien:

I never made any excuses for any of Cork’s wins.All won fair and square playing a nice brand of hurling so i don’t know where your going comparing me to Shefflin,Sheedy or Farrell.I have my own two eyes to make up my mind.