Cork captain Pa Cronin says they learned a lot from last year's final disappointments and are eager to put that into practice this weekend against Limerick.

The Rebel County will renew acquaintances with the Shannonsiders in the provincial decider and are determined to make amends for last year's 0-15 to 0-24 defeat.

"The Munster final last year and especially the two All-Ireland finals, we would have learnt so much from them," Cronin outlined to the Examiner.

"I know it's a cliche to say you learn from your defeats but it's so true.

"We learnt so much last year about how to deal with the big days, the side shows that lead into it and especially things like the game being on in Pairc Ui Chaoimh this time."

A regular on the Cork senior hurling panel since 2006, Cronin arrived at at time of conflict between the County Board and players which resulted in player strikes.

The Bishopstown clubman has yet to experience that special winning feeling in a final.

"I think when you look back, you obviously look back with regret that there had to be a better way of sorting it out because Cork really lost out and that was one of the main reasons we haven't won a trophy since.

"Around the time before the strikes, Cork and Kilkenny had a massive rivalry and Cork were every bit as good as Kilkenny. Then Kilkenny just pulled away and won All-Ireland after All-Ireland.

"I'm not saying it was all down to what happened in Cork. All I'm saying is that before that, 2003, 2004, 2005, Cork and Kilkenny were 50-50, evenly matched teams.

"I think if the strikes hadn't happened, if the management had had another year or two after 2006, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened." Tweet

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