Cork great Jimmy Barry-Murphy says the Rebels have “a huge incentive” to defeat Tipperary in Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC final after losing out on the same stage to Clare 12 months ago.

Pat Ryan’s men booked their return to the Liam MacCarthy Cup decider thanks to an emphatic 7-26 to 2-21 victory over Dublin at Croke Park a dozen days ago and return to headquarters this weekend looking to end a 20-year wait for their county.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s ‘Today’ programme yesterday, Barry-Murphy said that Sunday will be both a “massive” and “very unique” occasion when the two teams clash at Croker.

"There is no doubt Cork are favourites. Tipperary have done brilliantly this year and I have to acknowledge the job Liam Cahill has done, as they had a very, very disappointing year last year, something he said himself,” said the five-time All-Ireland SHC winner whom also earned Sam Maguire Cup success with the Rebels in 1973.

"Huge credit to Tipp to come to where they are now. The history of Cork and Tipperary back to even before when I was young, like the 60s and 70s, is incredible. It's a massive occasion because, obviously with the way the structure of the game has changed, Cork and Tipp would never have met in an All-Ireland final in those times. So it’s a very, very unique occasion.

"We know we had the hurt of losing last year so I always think there's a massive motivational factor for players who haven’t won one. A lot of Tipp players are in the same boat. But after the hurt of last year, I think Cork will have a huge incentive to go and do it on Sunday.

"I do really. We all know all these old cliches that you must turn up on the day and you must deliver. To be fair, the lads know themselves not enough of our players played to the best of their ability last year.

"I think they will on Sunday and I hope they can."

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