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2. Pace is not only a weapon Cork will use on Sunday The Cork penchant for pace and athletic players is well highlighted. In games gone by, they have run Tipperary ragged with the likes of Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, Alan Connolly, along with newcomers William Buckley and Barry Walsh, adding to that. But Tipperary have the pace to cause problems of their own. Jake Morris and Andrew Ormond will fancy taking the Downey brothers on a tour of Semple Stadium, while the addition of Stefan Tobin only adds further pedals to the Premier attack, one that is well capable of causing problems to a Cork defence that has leaked plenty of times before. READ NEXT: Surprise omission and inclusion as Tipperary hurling team is named ahead of Cork clash
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3. Tipperary's home record needs to improve Tipperary’s relationship with home in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship has taken on a strangely hollow feel in the round-robin years. Wins have been scarce, and visiting teams have all highlighted their love of playing in Thurles; that, along with poor Tipperary performances at times, has left the Premier with a home winning record of just 25% since 2018. This is why the visit of Cork comes without the old sense of jeopardy. Cork won’t be burdened by history or intimidated by surroundings. Tough away games against Waterford and Limerick will mean that this home advantage record for Tipperary will need to improve. READ NEXT: Surprise omission and inclusion as Tipperary hurling team is named ahead of Cork clash
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4. Defensive difficulties present at both ends could lead to a shootout Cork starts the game with the same six backs that started both the 2024 and 2025 All-Ireland finals. In 2024, the Cork back seven conceded 3-21 in normal time and 3-29 overall in the extra time loss to Clare, while they also coughed up 3-27 in the defeat to Tipperary (who played with five forwards) in the 2025 edition. Tipperary had the highest concession rate, aside from Offaly, in Division 1A of the National Hurling League, averaging 27.7 points conceded per game, but will be hoping that the rejoining of Ronan Maher, Michael Breen, and Robert Doyle - who had sketchy appearances throughout the league - will improve that statistic. READ NEXT: Surprise omission and inclusion as Tipperary hurling team is named ahead of Cork clash
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5. Bench impact could be the difference Tipperary have named 13 players out of the 15 that started the 2025 All-Ireland final, but can still boast some real experience and quality from the bench. The evergreen duo of Noel McGrath and Seamus Kennedy, along with the likes of Alan Tynan, Darragh McCarthy, and Sam O'Farrell, gives Liam Cahill real options if the plan doesn't survive contact with their Leeside rivals. Cork also has options with Seamus Harnedy, Diarmuid Healy, Robbie O'Flynn and their ilk in reserve, but Tipp slightly have the edge here. READ NEXT: Surprise omission and inclusion as Tipperary hurling team is named ahead of Cork clash