Limerick 0-33
Cork 2-19
THIS WAS QUITE a way for champions to end their losing streak and get off the winning mark for a new season.
If there were any whispers of concern swirling around about Limerick’s recent form, they were dispelled in a ruthless fashion under the Saturday evening sun on their home patch. John Kiely’s team shot 20 points in the first half, finished with 33 overall and amassed 20 wides, evidence of the dominance they enjoyed in this game.
The key context for this match was what lies ahead, the teams facing off in a league dress rehearsal four weeks before their championship showdown. That will be the Saturday night meeting of greater importance and Cork’s team selection here placed a huge emphasis on raw youth, but this was still a clear statement of intent issued by Limerick.
The first half was an expression of utter dominance by the All-Ireland champions. They looked every inch the more experienced and sharper side while their hunger was visible after not winning any of their opening three league ties.
That motivation helped propel them ahead 0-20 to 1-7 by the interval after they were in front 0-11 to 1-3 at the first water break. Another degree of ruthlessness and that advantage could have been greater as Limerick recorded 11 wides in the first half.
Cian Lynch was the conductor of the show for Limerick, in irrepressible form as the hub of their attack. He started at centre-forward, fired over three points from play and floated around to devastating effect as he sprayed passes to set up points for colleagues.
Cork endured a dreadful first-half. They struggled desperately on their own puckouts, whether they went short or long, Limerick swallowed them up. Their best move of the period did yield a goal in the 12th minute, Conor Cahalane hammering a shot off the bar and Jack O’Connor whipping home the rebound.
That was the first of two goals for O’Connor as he acclerated clear for a fine individual effort in the 54th minute, just prior to the second-half water break.
The second half was a marked improvement in Cork’s form. Patrick Horgan and Luke Meade came off the bench to make an impact while they carved open the Limerick rearguard for a series of goal chances. Limerick’s defence produced a few brave late blocks, man-of-the-match Diarmaid Byrnes impressing in that regard.
Limerick finished with 12 different scorers, teenagers Colin Coughlan and Cathal O’Neill both landing a brace of points. Cork did limit the damage in the second half on the scoreboard, winning that spell by 1-12 to 0-13.
But the game provided plenty food for thought for the next four weeks, as to how they will manage to close the gap to a Limerick team that turned on the style.
Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 0-10 (0-9f), Tom Morrissey 0-4, Cian Lynch 0-4, Diarmaid Byrnes 0-3 (0-1f, 0-1 ’65), Colin Coughlan 0-2, Peter Casey 0-2, Pat Ryan 0-2, Cathal O’Neill 0-2, Adrian Breen 0-1, William O’Donoghue 0-1, Darragh O’Donovan 0-1, Barry Nash 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-9 (0-6f, 0-2 ’65), Jack O’Connor 2-1, Shane Kingston 0-2, Declan Dalton 0-2 (0-2f), Mark Coleman 0-2 (0-2f), Conor Cahalane 0-1, Damien Cahalane 0-1, Robbie O’Flynn 0-1.
Limerick
1. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
2. Richie English (Doon), 3. Sean Finn (Bruff), 4. Barry Nash (South Liberties).
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6. Declan Hannon (Adare – captain), 7. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown).
8. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsiagh), 9. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon).
14. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), 10. Tom Morrissey (Ahane).
15. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), 17. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), 13. Pat Ryan (Doon).
Subs
18. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Finn (inj) (48)
25. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister) for Conor Boylan (55)
19. Adrian Breen (Na Piarsaigh) for Casey (59)
23. Darren O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry) for Ryan (59)
21. Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock) for O’Donovan (65)
20. Ronan Connolly (Adare) for Hannon (66)
26. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for Gillane (66)
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Sean O’Leary-Hayes (Midleton), 3. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), 4. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons).
5. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), 6. Mark Coleman (Blarney – captain), 7. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers).
8. Billy Hennessy (St Finbarr’s), 9. Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh).
10. Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), 11. Shane Kingston (Douglas), 12. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own).
24. Tadgh Deasy (Blackrock), 14. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), 15. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields).
Subs
18. Niall Cashman (Blackrock) for Downey (half-time)
21. Luke Meade (Newcestown) for Connery (half-time)
26. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers) for Dalton (half-time)
23. Shane Barrett (Blarney) for O’Flynn (48)
22. Sean Twomey (Courcey Rovers) for Deasy (57)
25. Alan Connolly (Blackrock) for Kingston (67)
17. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum) for Conor Cahalane (70)
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)
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Unfortunately that was like watching a game from 2018/19 Limericks persistent fouling not being blown. Jack O’Connor had 3 Limerick lads hanging out of him at one stage and no free. Maybe just an Alan Kelly thing but hopefully the powers that be haven’t stepped in here because of Kielys comments against Galway
@Jamie Bent: stick to old Trafford jamie
@Jamie Bent: bang on. Cork B team wasn’t too bad. The young lads did ok
@Jamie Bent: in fairness Jamie I think you’ve been influenced greatly by the whole narrative about limerick fouling. The same used be said about the great kk team. Its a tough game, let them at it, I think the refs are blowing for the softest stuff now. There wasn’t a dirty stroke in that game, it’ll get a lot more intense in championship, do we want refs blowing up everything? If there’s no dangerous shots then let them play
@Jamie Bent: talking out through your hoop
@Jamie Bent: ah start beating a different drum lad, getting beyond boring now.
@Sean Barry: nothing to fear in 4 weeks so, should be wiping that Limerick team outta the way once the A team is back. Roll on qualifiers for us.
@Sean Barry: what about the b limerick team.
@Jamie Bent: did you actually watch the game, pretty sad trolling bud.
@Jamie Bent: So limerick didn’t foul in 2020 when they won everything and went unbeaten.Fair point.
@Daniel Roche: Too easy rattle the Cork biys. Limerick missing almost as many as Cork tonight.
@Jamie Bent: hurling might not be for you lad. They’re a big physical team, like the tipp teams of past, or KK, or even Cork themselves during Diarmuid Ó Sullivan time. If you can’t mix it and match it at inter County level then go home. Waterford were well able for them a few weeks ago and galway before that.
@Jamie Bent: get over yourself. Limerick by far the better team. It’s a contact sport. 4 weeks time will be alot closer….
@Daniel Roche: Limerick had 9 of their all Ireland team, that B. Cork had a bunch of kids
@Sean Barry: so missing over a third of the team,ya and we will need to really improve, very poor from limerick.
Limerick will take some beating this year. Cop on media and give them a break. They only won an all Ireland a few weeks back ye expect them to hit the ground running. And stop putting the pressure on referees to influence the way they play the game. They are super team who play on the edge the way every county would love to see their team playing. I love watching them and their hunger and desire to compete is incredible. Shades of the greatest team to play the game a few years back. From a Kilkenny man.
@James Fox: only people putting pressure on the refs are KK former players and limerick people.
@James Fox: 25 weeks back wasn’t it?
@Shane Roche: yes about that. So if the All Ireland was the middle of August as it should be would you expect them to be back hitting the ground running in the middle of December. No I didn’t think so
Lynch an absolute wizard
Limerick needed to put that performance out. Absolutely dominant in all aspects. Allowed Kiely to put out his whole bench early into second half. Always felt like limerick took the foot off the pedal and looked like they had a few more gears if they wanted. Cork definitely aiming to bang goals and to be fair when they did get on those 1v1 situations they looked dangerous and have a few youngsters that look like solid future players. Limericks tackling is improved they are clearly trying to be more accurate in the tackle and its working. Nonsense hearing people give out about the swarm when no fouls are being committed it’s just crowding out the oppositionplain and simple. Any team in the country would give anything to have the ferocity and work rate limerick bring to the tackle.
Limerick were utterly dominant but it was a very inexperienced Cork team. I hope we learned some valuable lessons in terms of puck outs but I won’t hold my breath. Limerick must be red hot favourites in 4 weeks time.
UTR
@Harry Corry: not red hot but favs all the same, your forward line is easily one of the most deadliest when given space, let’s not build this up to be a Limerick cakewalk, it will be far from it. Given space and some clinical finishing, goasl there for that Cork side, but replicate the same puckout strategy and you’ll need the 4 or 5 goals to keep in it, gonna be a cracker.
The fact Cork look so nervous doing the short game says it all. Needs to change. Not a major gulf in scoreline in the end but cant help but feel Limerick had a few more gears if needed.
Limerick very dominant today but that was a very young and inexperienced Cork team and I’m going to call it that Cork are keeping their cards close to their chest this year and it wouldn’t surprise me if they win Munster this year .
@Finnster: think none of the teams are fully firing yet , you could pick a name out of the hat at the moment for Munster, Tipp, Cork, Waterford will all fancy their chances and we will have to be at it from the start to justify being favourites.
Will be a great battle this year for Liam , Kilkenny and yourselves will be up for it also and will not fear anyone.
Can’t wait for championship to start.
Cork not at much tonight. Limerick did as well as expected. Championship will be a different kettle of fish.
Really laid down a marker there i must say. Last few weeks put to bed. The new guys adding to competition as well.
@Conor Houlihan: Not so sure about that. The game was pretty much shadow boxing by Cork. They lacked the work rate of the first 3 games.
Between scores and wides Limerick had in excess of fifty scoring attempts. Challenge match type stuff.
Delighted with that all the moaning will stop now for a few weeks
Delighted to get a good performance. Might get the pundits to lay off limerick about how they weren’t scoring enough and giving away 2 may frees. Ok they did give a good few in the second half.I know Cork were missing players, limerick were also. 4 weeks time will be alot closer but good preparation anyway. Also said limerick don’t get goals but if u can score 30 plus pints and 22 wides. U don’t need goals.
Lot of limerick fouling but this is what cork have to face. All these years they still get blown out of every tackle. I know they were kids but still
@Finbarr O Donovan: cork put more fouls in than limerick , two very young teams out there , both teams giving players their chances . Young leaving cert students o neill And Coughlan for limerick are finds of the season , kiely will manage them well . Limerick are still only building up momentum , not at their best at all yet .
Most boring match I have seen for a while. Limerick play like robots
@SandraMeyler: so you don’t like watching skillful players,Cian lynch is one of the most skillful players in the country,if that is like robots,hope more copy him.
@SandraMeyler: so what do ye know in Carlow about hurling?