Cork journeyed last night to a stadium which had already been the graveyard of their National league and Munster championship ambitions already in 2015. Would the death knell sound for their All-Ireland hopes in Thurles as well?
Instead Cork’s season has now assumed a brighter complexion. If the win over Wexford last week was about steadying themselves, last night was a chance that Cork seized to restore their campaign to a healthy state.
It was high stakes stuff yet Cork stood tall in a frenetic finale to launch a knockout punch to a key rival. Suddenly they are in the last six and have strong momentum behind them as they get set for a collision course with Galway.
Aidan Walsh celebrates after Cork's win last night Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
2. Ger Cunningham and Dublin bounce back from rocky phase
The opening stages of the Ger Cunningham and Dublin relationship have seen stages of turbulence. Coughing up a 12-point lead against Cork and losing out on a league final spot.
Letting an advantage slip late on against Galway in May in Croke Park. Being whipped by the Tribesmen in that Leinster replay. Losing a long-standing member of their squad during the week in Michael Carton.
There wasn’t much optimism floating about in the first-half last night given the toothless nature of Dublin’s display. They trailed by 1-8 to 0-3 in the 26th minute before summoning a spirited fightback.
They were back in contention at the break and dug out a victory in a pulsating second-half. It was a boost for an embattled Dublin squad and a significant statement for the Cunningham era.
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Dublin's Ger Cunningham celebrates with Niall Corcoran. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
3. Tactical awareness serves Cork well
Criticism has been slung frequently at Cork’s hurlers and management recently over the tactics they have employed. They couldn’t pierce Waterford’s defensive structure in the league final and slumped again in their Munster last four tie.
But Wexford Park last Saturday saw them showcase a new setup and they presented it again last night. Mark Ellis screened in front of the full-back line and Brian Murphy stuck to Shane O’Donnell to help Cork keep a second successive clean sheet and prevent Clare replicating the goalscoring blitz of the 2013 All-Ireland final replay.
Other striking facets of their play included Bill Cooper’s ferocious work ethic all over the pitch while Cormac Murphy and Aidan Walsh provided aerial superiority in the half-back line. Patrick Horgan withdrew to become more involved and Cork created space inside for danger men Conor Lehane and Seamus Harnedy.
Cork’s shooting was at times wretched and there were various junctures when Clare had a grip on this game. But the improved shape and method to Cork’s play saw them enter the winners enclosure.
Cork's Bill Cooper and Anthony Nash console Clare's Conor Ryan James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
4. Paul Ryan becomes Dublin’s attacking leader
Two years ago Paul Ryan shot 2-7 on a glorious day for Dublin hurling as they won Leinster honours. It hasn’t been easy for him to replicate those standards as he’s flitted in and out of the starting team.
But here he stood up to become Dublin’s attacking leader. Dublin were bereft of scoring inspiration for a large chunk of the first-half yet Ryan offered glimpses of what he could provide with a few key points before the break.
In the second-half he was exceptional, finishing with 0-12 and for a player primarily recognised as a freetaker, his contribution of six points from play was invaluable.
Dublin's Paul Ryan James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
5. Horgan stands tall when Cork need him most
Patrick Horgan endured a couple of frustrating afternoons in May and June in Thurles, tied up by Waterford’s defensive web and shackled specifically by Noel Connors. The Glen Rovers man is Cork’s chief sharpshooter and to succeed, they need him involved in orchestrating the action.
Last night Cork didn’t allow Horgan to be tied up close to goal and he roamed to good effect. His accuracy was poor in the first-half and indeed until the 60th minute, he had only 0-4 to his name.
But at a stage when Cork’s challenge was listing, Horgan stepped up to the mark. He doubled his scoring tally to transform a 0-17 to 0-15 deficit to a 0-19 to 0-17 lead. It was an explosive contribution to nudge the Rebels past the Banner.
Cork's Patrick Horgan celebrates at the final whistle against Clare. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
6. Rushe back shining where he belongs
Dublin’s league experimentation saw them shift players around the pitch as Ger Cunningham adjusted to his management role. Liam Rushe’s deployment at full-forward was a curious one. He had played there in the opening phase of his career before changing it up to win two Allstars – at midfield in 2011 and at centre-back in 2013.
Last night he was installed at number six. The first-half was an uncertain one as David Breen, Limerick’s goalscorer, gave him plenty to think about but it was Rushe who had a towering impact as the game went on. He was a powerhouse in the second-half and provided a launchpad that was crucial in Dublin’s eventual triumph.
Liam Rushe celebrates Dublin's win over Limerick Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
6 talking points after Cork and Dublin ignite their hurling seasons
1. Cork’s season takes on a brighter complexion
Cork journeyed last night to a stadium which had already been the graveyard of their National league and Munster championship ambitions already in 2015. Would the death knell sound for their All-Ireland hopes in Thurles as well?
Instead Cork’s season has now assumed a brighter complexion. If the win over Wexford last week was about steadying themselves, last night was a chance that Cork seized to restore their campaign to a healthy state.
It was high stakes stuff yet Cork stood tall in a frenetic finale to launch a knockout punch to a key rival. Suddenly they are in the last six and have strong momentum behind them as they get set for a collision course with Galway.
2. Ger Cunningham and Dublin bounce back from rocky phase
The opening stages of the Ger Cunningham and Dublin relationship have seen stages of turbulence. Coughing up a 12-point lead against Cork and losing out on a league final spot.
Letting an advantage slip late on against Galway in May in Croke Park. Being whipped by the Tribesmen in that Leinster replay. Losing a long-standing member of their squad during the week in Michael Carton.
There wasn’t much optimism floating about in the first-half last night given the toothless nature of Dublin’s display. They trailed by 1-8 to 0-3 in the 26th minute before summoning a spirited fightback.
They were back in contention at the break and dug out a victory in a pulsating second-half. It was a boost for an embattled Dublin squad and a significant statement for the Cunningham era.
3. Tactical awareness serves Cork well
Criticism has been slung frequently at Cork’s hurlers and management recently over the tactics they have employed. They couldn’t pierce Waterford’s defensive structure in the league final and slumped again in their Munster last four tie.
But Wexford Park last Saturday saw them showcase a new setup and they presented it again last night. Mark Ellis screened in front of the full-back line and Brian Murphy stuck to Shane O’Donnell to help Cork keep a second successive clean sheet and prevent Clare replicating the goalscoring blitz of the 2013 All-Ireland final replay.
Other striking facets of their play included Bill Cooper’s ferocious work ethic all over the pitch while Cormac Murphy and Aidan Walsh provided aerial superiority in the half-back line. Patrick Horgan withdrew to become more involved and Cork created space inside for danger men Conor Lehane and Seamus Harnedy.
Cork’s shooting was at times wretched and there were various junctures when Clare had a grip on this game. But the improved shape and method to Cork’s play saw them enter the winners enclosure.
4. Paul Ryan becomes Dublin’s attacking leader
Two years ago Paul Ryan shot 2-7 on a glorious day for Dublin hurling as they won Leinster honours. It hasn’t been easy for him to replicate those standards as he’s flitted in and out of the starting team.
But here he stood up to become Dublin’s attacking leader. Dublin were bereft of scoring inspiration for a large chunk of the first-half yet Ryan offered glimpses of what he could provide with a few key points before the break.
In the second-half he was exceptional, finishing with 0-12 and for a player primarily recognised as a freetaker, his contribution of six points from play was invaluable.
5. Horgan stands tall when Cork need him most
Patrick Horgan endured a couple of frustrating afternoons in May and June in Thurles, tied up by Waterford’s defensive web and shackled specifically by Noel Connors. The Glen Rovers man is Cork’s chief sharpshooter and to succeed, they need him involved in orchestrating the action.
Last night Cork didn’t allow Horgan to be tied up close to goal and he roamed to good effect. His accuracy was poor in the first-half and indeed until the 60th minute, he had only 0-4 to his name.
But at a stage when Cork’s challenge was listing, Horgan stepped up to the mark. He doubled his scoring tally to transform a 0-17 to 0-15 deficit to a 0-19 to 0-17 lead. It was an explosive contribution to nudge the Rebels past the Banner.
6. Rushe back shining where he belongs
Dublin’s league experimentation saw them shift players around the pitch as Ger Cunningham adjusted to his management role. Liam Rushe’s deployment at full-forward was a curious one. He had played there in the opening phase of his career before changing it up to win two Allstars – at midfield in 2011 and at centre-back in 2013.
Last night he was installed at number six. The first-half was an uncertain one as David Breen, Limerick’s goalscorer, gave him plenty to think about but it was Rushe who had a towering impact as the game went on. He was a powerhouse in the second-half and provided a launchpad that was crucial in Dublin’s eventual triumph.
Powerful Cork finish sees off Clare in Thurles hurling qualifier showdown
Dublin come back for dramatic win over Limerick to reach All-Ireland quarter-final
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back on track COMP:ALL-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship GAA Cork Dublin