Limerick 1-20
Cork 0-17
Denis Hurley reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh
CATHAL O’NEILL SCORED 11 points as Limerick became the first away team to record a win in the new Electric Ireland Munster MHC format.
The Shannonsiders never trailed at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening, with Cormac Ryan’s second-half goal proving decisive in seeing off Cork.
The home side, having conceded seven goals in their two games to date, sought to shore things up at the back by playing Cormac O’Brien as a sweeper with Cian O’Donovan dropping to centre-back. However, that deprived them of a body in attack and Limerick profited.
Wing-forward Cathal O’Neill shone for Limerick, scoring six points in the first half as they led all through, the Crecora-Manister man punishing and Cork indiscretions with accuracy from dead balls while Patrick Kirby, Eoin O’Mahony and Colin Coughlan chipped in too.
Cork were reliant on Jack Cahalane’s frees to stay in touch, but five points on the trot from Limerick in the four minutes before half-time had them 0-12 to 0-6 in front before Cahalane replied in injury time.
A long-range O’Brien free for Cork – who had reverted to a conventional format – reduced the gap to four points in the first minute of the second half but Limerick always had the scoring power to keep them at arm’s length.
The game was over as a contest when Cormac Ryan goaled for Limerick in the 42nd minute, producing a fine run and shot to the net following Diarmuid Hegarty’s pass.
O’Neill’s ninth point immediately after that made it 1-15 to 0-10 and Hegarty added two more as they moved ten clear.
O’Brien and Cahalane directed a mini-revival from Cork as they scored four points, but Limerick never looked troubled.
Scorers for Limerick: Cathal O’Neill 0-11 (0-7 frees, 0-1 65), Cormac Ryan 1-1, Diarmuid Hegarty 0-3, Eoin O’Mahony, Patrick Kirby 0-2 each, Colin Coughlan 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Jack Cahalane 0-6 (frees), Cormac O’Brien 0-4 (0-3 frees), Ethan Twomey, Pádraig Power (0-1 free) 0-2 each, Olan Broderick, Daniel Hogan, Fergal O’Leary 0-1 each.
Limerick
1. Bryan Heavey (Garryspillane)
2. Pádraig Harnett (Ahane)
3. Ben Herlihy (Castletown/Ballyagran)
4. Michael Keane (Adare)
5. Eoin O’Mahony (Garryspillane)
6. Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh)
7. Jack Nicholas (Murroe-Boher)
8. Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell)
9. Barry O’Connor (Ballybrown)
12. Diarmuid Hegarty (St Patrick’s)
11. Cormac Ryan (Doon)
13. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown)
10. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister)
14. Bob Purcell (Doon)
15. Bryan Nix (Newcastlewest)
Subs
18. David Riordan (Castletown/Ballyagran) for Nix (37)
23. Danny O’Leary (Bruff) for Coughlan (54)
17. Michael Martin (Ballybricken-Bohermore) for Kirby (56)
24. Kyran O’Donnell (Pallasgreen) for Herlihy (57)
19. David Hickey (Murroe-Boher) for Purcell (60)
Cork
1. Cian Long (Glen Rovers)
4. Ciarán O’Brien (St Catherine’s)
3. Niall O’Riordan (Mallow)
2. Cian McCarthy (St Oliver Plunkett’s)
6. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum)
5. Luke Horgan (Glen Rovers)
8. Cian O’Donovan (Sarsfields)
7. Cillian O’Donovan (Douglas)
10. Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s)
9. Olan Broderick (Killeagh)
13. Pádraig Power (Blarney)
11. Shane Barrett (Blarney)
12. Daniel Hogan (Sarsfiels)
14. Paddy O’Flynn (Bride Rovers)
15. Jack Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
Subs
23. Aaron Mulcahy (Midleton) for O’Flynn (34)
20. Cathal Hickey (Lisgoold) for Broderick (44)
18. Ryan McCarthy (Killeagh) for Cian McCarthy (47)
22. Fergal O’Leary (Inniscarra) for Hogan (48)
19. Paul Cooney (Ballincollig) for Cahalane (56)
Referee: Joe Mullins (Clare)
I reckon they’ll put him in the 23 shirt. He hasn’t played a game in 5 months and this is a must win game. Henshaw and Osborne have been solid so far already this season.
It’s harsh on Osborne but I’d start Ringrose, he’s World Class, but would put Osborne on the bench, meaning no 6-2 so Connors misses out.
Interesting selection call, Leo might go 5/3 to fit him on the bench . Would be a big ask to start him after 5 months of no game time
@Owen ODonoghue: Big risk indeed, but I think worth it, our attack and defence without GR hasn’t been at the same level – RH and JO are really 12s who can fill in at 13 (thought RH was actually a brilliant 13 up until the last 6 months when he’s played there regularly and has only been ok)
@Andrew Slazenger: And by ok I mean in the specific roles a 13 has, shutting the door on outside channel, calling the rush, biting in or not and then striking into outside space in attack, knowing when to take on the space or distribute etc etc as a rugby player RH has been excellent though
@Andrew Slazenger: I get your point! Robbie’s recent journey, since his return from injury, has been impacted in Green by Bundee’s stellar 2023 and Garry’s absence in Blue. The fact that he has been doing a brilliant job at 13 is in part a reflection of the lack of competition there and the surfeit of talent at 12. Robbie is still the best 12 on the island and makes most impact on games when he plays there.
@John Morris: bundee best 12 in world
@Owen ODonoghue: still go 6/ 2. Garry and Robbie. Frawley and foley cover the whole backline.
@chris mcdonnell: Hmm, could be interesting. Foley is having a great season.
@chris mcdonnell: based on McBrydes update it looks very likely a 6/2 with Frawley and McGrath as backs cover
@Gary Galligan: yep and we have 3 other excellent centres with Ringrose, Henshaw and McCloskey
Our depth is crazy too with Osborne, Forde, Gavin coming through and the likes of Frawley, Crowley and JOB all able to play there. Its like Irelands backrow depth now
@Owen ODonoghue: 100 pc. Pity about loose head props
@Owen ODonoghue: mcgrath is not a better option than foley. JgP is playing the full game barring injury so why not have a player who can play more than one position
@chris mcdonnell: i agree with you, Leo does not tho!
They said ringrose available last week to let’s see if he gets named on the team v bulls
Seeing lots of chatter on here about 5-3 vs 6-2 and how that affects Ringrose. I think he’s a naturally very fit guy but would a big ask to play at the high altitude with no game time in 5 months? My initial thoughts are go 6-2, well because it’s a Springbok team, but you can’t hardly start Ringrose can you so he’d miss out? But because it’s such a physical toll playing that high up will we need 3 back subs as guys are likely to be absolutely gassed. In any case – Leinster have badly missed Ringrose in both attack and D.
I think Osbourne & Ringrose will start as centres. The bench is likely to be 5-3 unless Foley surpasses McGrath as scrumhalf back-up & emergency wing cover.
@D Farrell: u dropping Robbie ?? Lol