PATRICK Horgan, hurling’s all-time leading championship scorer, is likely to start in the inside forward line for Cork against All-Ireland Champions Limerick in the opening round of the Allianz National Hurling League at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night.
The four-time All-Star was only introduced as a replacement for Cork in the recent Munster League between the counties but played the entirety of their subsequent final defeat of Tipperary, contributing 1-6 that afternoon.
The Glen rovers ace is one of the players certain to keep the likes of Richie English, Barry Nash, Dan Morrissey, Aaron Costello and Seán Finn, or whoever gets the nod for roles in the full-back line, or their toes.
Horgan is one of the more seasoned players around and will turn 35 during Championship 2023.
Former county footballer Brian Hayes is another likely to feature in the front line of attack for the Leesiders at the weekend.
Hayes troubled Limerick a few weeks back, and indeed scoring the winning point.
“He gives us a different dimension and he’s very sharp,” commented Cork manager Pat Ryan afterwards. “He had two great goal chances he’ll be disappointed he didn’t take, but he got two great scores and worked his socks off. He will get better and better.”
The Limerick team, due to be announced tomorrow night, will make for an interesting read, but will surely feature more than just the four – Dan and Tom Morrissey, Darragh O’Donovan and David Reidy – from last July’s All-Ireland Final win who lined-out a few weeks back at Páirc Uí Rinn.
