6. Cork
Cork’s manliness has been questioned time and again in recent times.
At crucial stages, they have been found wanting when the heat has been turned up. The 2013 All-Ireland final, the 2014 semi against Tipperary, and then fading when in winning positions against Waterford, Limerick and Kilkenny in the past three seasons.
In terms of hurling ability, the Rebels should have delivered a minimum of one All-Ireland in the past 14 seasons, but the famine runs on. Whether they have the steel to win a winter All-Ireland is up for debate, though their most promising young forward, Shane Kingston, doesn’t believe the weather will alter their task.
What is galling about Cork is that they have consistently shown they can mix it with Limerick, a side that has swept so many others aside. It is because of this that they cannot be discounted.
That’s before you even talk of the scoring potential of Patrick Horgan (and his free-taking accuracy, which could be a big factor in winter clashes), Alan Cadogan, Kingston, Seamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Co.
At some stage, this team needs to deliver. Whether Kieran Kingston can get them over the line is the question.
