All roads lead in and out of Cork for the first time in years this weekend, when Pairc Uí Chaoimh reopens it doors for the two eagerly awaited All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals.

I’m old enough to recall the first re-opening of the ground – once known as the Athletic Grounds – back in June 1976. Clare had played Munster championship earlier that day in Thurles against Waterford (we won) and we watched the ceremonies in the Anner Hotel. Then All-Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny played soon to be All-Ireland champions Cork that evening, along with Cork and Kerry in football.

Why do I remember it so? It was probably the third or fourth time I had ever seen live hurling on television and it is worth pointing out we only had the one channel back then. So it was big news.

I also recall it hosting the Munster football final between the same Cork and Kerry a few weeks later, a game that ended in a 0-10 to 0-10 draw, but the real highlight was the crowd invasion.

For that one we made do with recorded coverage that night, the image of referee John Moloney shooing spectators back from the sidelines is etched in my memory. Health and safety was a little different back then!

The public address can be heard announcing that “under no circumstances would the second half start until everyone moved back a bit from their seats along the sideline”. Those seats were not official, people had climbed into the pitch to avoid the crush in the stands. They were sitting on the field, in many cases right on the line.

The stadium would go on to have a storied history during its first rebirth. That included some incredible matches, many of them Munster football finals. In 1983 Kerry famously came to Cork to collect their ninth provincial title on the trot, only for Tadgh Óg Murphy to stun them with a late goal, the Rebels won 3-10 to 3-9 and had to accept the minor cup as the senior one had been left behind in the Kingdom!

In 1976 it hosted the Munster hurling final and although Cork were comfortable winners 3-15 to 4-5, it was remarkable for the fact that Eamon Cregan scored all four of Limerick’s goals.

The Munster final of 1997 has particular relevance for me as I watched Clare finally beat Tipperary in a final for the ages, (the Banner ages anyway!). Lucky enough to visit the victorious dressing room after the game the sheer claustrophobia and heat in the cramped conditions stayed with me. It was almost as cramped a few years earlier trying to go to the bathroom during the Michael Jackson concerts!

I have fond memories of the ground but am really looking forward to visiting the brand new facility twice this weekend.

THE ACTION

First up on Saturday is said Clare and Tipperary. These two met seven times between 1997-2003 on the banks of the Lee and played out some epic contests. Our Munster final win in ’97 was special, Tipp’s one point win in 2001 put them on the road to that year’s All-Ireland.

Saturday’s winner will be right back in the race for Liam McCarthy and the not so hesitant vote is for the Premier to get their show back on the road. Against Dublin the cobwebs looked to be dealt with and we all know that the All-Ireland champions are never more than a flick of a switch away from their ruthless best.

The fear in Clare is they have found that trigger, while the Banner have struggled with the manner of their defeat in the Munster final less than two weeks ago. That loss, coupled with the puck-out strategy on the day, the lack of significant Clare support in Thurles, sliotargate and the subsequent injury to David McInerney have dampened enthusiasm in Bannerland.

Tipp are odds on, Clare are struggling. Hopefully we will put it up to Bubbles, Bonnar, Seamie, the McGraths and Mahers, but Tipp have to be in a better place. They should advance.

Sunday could very well see a full house when Waterford and Wexford meet in the most attractive game of the weekend. This will have noise, colour and an atmosphere worthy of the new ground. It should also be a stirring contest.

The Déise are worthy favourites on the back of their dramatic extra-time win over Kilkenny, but Wexford have a similar victory in their form line. This will be close and could be a chess match as two of the most strategically minded teams in the championship meet.

That kind of added intrigue really appeals to me and I think as a result the intensity will be on the savage level. The hunch is that Waterford might have too much in the finishing department for the Wexicans.

Players like Gleeson, the Bennetts, Patrick Curran, the reborn Jamie Barron and Maurice Shannahan do not need as many chances as perhaps McDonald, Guiney, Chin and co in front of goal. Clear-cut opportunities may be at a premium, the Déise can take them.

With Tipp and Waterford – both significantly beaten by Cork – the obvious candidates to reach the last four, it is some compliment to the performances of the Munster champions.

FOOTBALL

The Gaelic Grounds and Markievicz Park don’t usually see championship football in July. Mayo’s tour of the country continues when they head to Limerick to face Cork in the qualifiers, while Donegal and Galway go to Sligo.

For the winners there is the last eight, Croke Park next week, Kerry or Roscommon. For the losers, the road home will be long, the year written off.

Mayo have had a week off since beating Clare and should have their batteries recharged enough to deal with a Cork side that have little to recommend them, although Mayo being Mayo, they may leave them in the game for a while longer than they should, a bad habit that has tripped them up before. But not this time.

Galway must have a kick in them following their Connacht final collapse, but a wired Donegal are not the sort of team to let opponents feel their way back into championship football. If there is a shock the Tribesmen might summon it.

The Roscommon loss and last year’s quarter final defeat to Tipperary must be gnawing at Kevin Walsh and his players. If there is a bounce in them, it must manifest itself early. They might be the only shock of the weekend.

The next few days will be about Cork’s shiny new toy, our newest GAA stadium, in the real capital. And rightly so. Next week I’ll have the review, hopefully it’ll be five star. CL