Sean Finn says Munster Hurling Championship is too strong for anyone to go unbeaten
Thursday 16 May 2019 16:51, UK
Limerick hurler Sean Finn feels the competition in the Munster Hurling Championship is so great that no team will go through the campaign unbeaten.
The Treaty finished third in the provincial round-robin last season, but proceeded to capture the All-Ireland title later that summer.
Since then, they captured the National League, and many are tipping them to complete the set by winning what would be their first Munster title since 2013.
However, the 23-year-old feels that it's unlikely that one team will dominate this year's edition, ahead of Limerick's opener against Cork on Sunday.
"I don't think anyone will win four in Munster this year, it's certainly unlikely, even though that would be your dream," the Bruff club man said.
"I reckon you're likely to get through with six or even five points. You have to win two of your games at least and then see what else happens.
"It is going to be mad competitive again. Technically there's eight points up for grabs and you need to grab as many of them you can, even with draws. That's all we'll be thinking about facing Cork the first day."
The Treaty open at home to Cork, knowing just how tough a challenge the Rebels will have in store. They met their Munster neighbours twice last summer, failing to win after 70 minutes on either occasion.
Nonetheless, Finn knows a positive result could provide a springboard for the year ahead, and feels that their draw in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last year turned their season around.
"If we hadn't got that hard-fought draw against Cork, things could have been very different," he added.
"That was a huge game for us, especially losing Declan (Hannon, injured) after 10 minutes and Aaron (Gillane, red card) after 20, and down there as well.
"That was a big turning point for us, one of our biggest results. Initially you'd think 'oh we only got a draw' but when we analysed it we were so happy coming out of there."
Finn starred at cornerback in 2018, eventually winning an All-Star award. While he has been moved into full-back this season, the switch is not affecting him.
"The way the game has gone, essentially, it's three corner-backs inside there now because there's so much movement all the time so it didn't feel too much different," Finn said.
"It really depends on who you're playing against too. Kilkenny play more traditionally than a lot of teams who play two inside, so it varies with every game.
"You'd notice people trying different patterns of play during the league alright but we tend to focus on ourselves and that's always been how we've been. We bring the honesty, hard work and intensity and it's up to other team to match that."
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