Cork v Tipperary : Robert Downey interview

Cork and Tipperary go head to head in the Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Final this evening.

The sides meet in Semple Stadium, with throw in at 7.30.

Both sides are unchanged from their semi final wins, Cork over Clare and Tipeprary over Waterford - you can see both starting 15s for tonight's game here.

Glen Rovers' Robert Downey is named in the half back line for the Rebels, and he can't wait for tonight's game.

"We know this Tipperary team. We played them twice when we were at minor level, we were probably lucky to get out of Thurles that night, when it went to a replay [in 2017]. They're an unbelievable team, with very good players. We're going to have to be at our very best to turn them over."

Cork have booked their place in tonight's decider as they ground out wins over Limerick and Clare, and Downey says that those games will stand to them.

"The Limerick game, you're training for so long to play this game, and when it finally comes around you're a bit edgy, a bit nervous. It's hard in the first match because you're so nervous to get the best out of yourself, but then when the Clare game came around, we were in Pairc ui Rinn the following week and we were a bit more used to it. And it stood to us, just being around each other and knowing how it all works, and getting the best out of yourself. So they stood to us big time."

Tipperary have home advantage for the game, but that won't be a factor according to Downey.

"Traditionally Cork teams like going to Thurles! At the end of the day, it's only a pitch, and I know the crowd that will be there. Once you're out and you're warming up, you just block all that out, you just concentrate on your own job, and the fella you're marking.

"It doesn't make much of a difference. Like I said Cork teams love going up there, and it's the best pitch in Ireland. So you couldn't complain too much about it."

Cork beat Tipperary in the Munster final last year, before losing to the Premier County in the All Ireland Final. Downey though says that revenge isn't on their minds this evening.

"Look, we know how good this Tipp team are. And we know we have to be at our best to beat them. Our last two performances, if we play the way we did in our last two games I don't think we'll beat them. So we have a lot to work on.

"There's not much talk of revenge to be honest. There's a job to be done. We're just focusing on doing it, and getting the best out of ourselves every time we go training so we can execute the job on the day." 

Downey has had plenty of game time with the Cork senior team this summer, starting for the Rebels three times, and he says it's been a big help to him in his preparations for tonight's Munster final.

"With the way the Munster senior championship is, I'm not going to say you get used to playing championship matches because you'll always be nervous before them, but you certainly become a bit more accustomed to how things work. It does help a lot, it's like you've been there before, and you're able to say to yourself 'it's only another game', and you just focus on the small things and make sure you get the basics right.

"It has been a big help being involved with the senior team. With the round robin there's a match every week, and you become accustomed to playing big games like that."

Follow @BigRedBench on Twitter for updates from tonight's game, and tune into Breakfast with Ray and Jay tomorrow from 6am for the best post match reaction.