CORK MIDFIELDER Lorcan McLoughlin is hoping the county can get their summer back on track with a victory against old rivals Kilkenny this weekend.
But the Kanturk clubman is not buying the idea that the Cats are there for the taking in a year in which they’ve had to take the scenic route towards Croke Park.
“People say Kilkenny are slipping but they are still grinding out games,” McLoughlin says. “They seem to be getting a bit of momentum now. Whoever beats Kilkenny, it is going to take a superhuman effort.
“This year people said more teams have more of a chance than winning than other years. It is great to see Dublin winning Leinster and Limerick winning Munster. It’s bringing a freshness to the championship. But whoever beats Kilkenny, they are going to earn it. It’s a simple as that.
“I think Cork people love going out playing Kilkenny, because of their tradition and the hurlers they have. If you look at them one to 15 they are exceptional hurlers, they are the best team in the country and you want to measure yourself against the best team. As a young team that’s what you want to do. As a midfielder you are looking at the best midfield pairing with Michael Fennelly and Michael Rice, and they even have Lester Ryan coming into it.
“Whatever pairing they have they are excellent hurlers and it is going to take a huge effort. But I think both teams will bring out the best in each other on Sunday week.”
McLoughlin insists the Rebels will have to start well in Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon if they harbour nay hopes of adding to the list of upsets this championship.
“You just have to hit the ground running against Kilkenny, it’s as simple as that,” he says. “They are so clinical, they know how to win games. It is a great sign of a team to be not playing at their best and still coming through games. I believe they are picking up momentum, they have fellas coming back from injury so they are in a good position as it is. We are obviously on the back of losing a hugely disappointing Munster final but for younger fellas again, it is two weeks we can focus the minds again and get on with it.”
Cork have already played their part in a hurling season weighed down already with superb games and memorable moments — a surprising win over Clare followed by that famine-ending win for Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds. But the 23-year-old knows that dethroning Brian Cody and his side in Thurles would secure an All-Ireland semi-final spot but add another chapter to the story of an incredible season.
“You can take a step back and you’d love to experience that feeling as a Cork person,” McLoughlin says of the Munster final.
“That’s what the Munster championship is about, an evening like that. I know Limerick won it and it was the Limerick fans that were on the pitch, but it’s a huge occasion.
“It’s huge for a county to win something like that, especially seeing as Limerick hadn’t won it in 17 years. IT gives the county a huge lift. Any thing you win, you earn it. It’s as simple as that. In fairness to Limerick they performed well on the day. They got some fabulous scores. I couldn’t begrudge them.”
