Count on Cork to complete Munster hat-trick with Horgan leading the charge

The 2018 Munster Championship will live long in the memory and if we get half of last year’s drama, we are in for a cracking renewal.

Cork claimed the honours for the second year running in 2018, but they’ve so far failed to take the next step to an All-Ireland final and that will undoubtedly be their goal going into this year’s championship.

Waterford were dealt the cruellest of blows in 2018, losing many of their key players to injury early on but they’ve bounced back in 2019, reaching the league final and they now look a far more accomplished outfit who can challenge once again under new manager Paraic Fanning.

Another side with a new management team in place are Tipperary, where Liam Sheedy returns to the helm. Since his return they’ve suffered a poor league campaign with just two wins in the round-robin stage and subsequently crashing out in the quarter-final at home to Dublin. Their performances left a lot to be desired and big improvements are needed in the coming weeks.

Clare looked back to their best in 2018, with Tony Kelly and Peter Duggan leading the charge up front, but recent injuries to Ian Galvin, Jamie Shanahan and Conor McGrath will prove huge losses and the strength of their panel will be tested to the extreme.

Cork are another side who appeared to struggle with their bench in 2018 and seem to lack the firepower from the bench that the top counties have.

That cost them last season against Limerick but the move of Tim O’Mahony to center-back looks to be a master stroke and he’s given Cork the commanding presence that they so badly needed.

Finally, there’s reigning champions Limerick. After they ended a 45-year wait for All Ireland success, many felt Limerick might over-celebrate and not return to those levels in 2019. But they have quickly dispelled any thoughts of an All-Ireland hangover with some classy performances throughout the league that led them to Croke Park once again and more silverware secured.

If anything, this Limerick side look better in 2019. John Kiely has added to his panel already with Conor Boylan and Robbie Hanley standing out, while Peter Casey seems to have taken a spot at corner-forward and has been ruthless when given any chances.

Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch have been in top form, and Limerick now rank as the best team in Munster, and possibly Ireland. They are hindered by the draw, however, and will have to contend with playing three weeks in a row, something which caused trouble for sides in 2018.

Recommendations
Cork to win Munster
1pt 4-1 Boylesports
Cork, Waterford & Limerick to fill top three places in any order
1pt 7-1 Paddy Power
Cork & Limerick to reach the final
2pts 7-2 Paddy Power

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport