Tony Considine: Cork must be worried, Limerick looked at their very best down in Waterford

I believe it is now time for the GAA to have a gap of two weeks between games for every county in the hurling championship. 

We saw it last week between Waterford and Clare. Clare, after having a massive struggle with Cork, had to go out and play a fresh Waterford team. 

Waterford were in an even worse situation this week, only getting six days to recover and taking on a Limerick side after a two-week rest. I'm not saying that it caused Waterford to lose but there is a lot of talk now about player welfare. 

We all know how physical and fast the game has become... big hits going in, and fair hits, but it takes a lot out of the body. And more importantly, it takes a lot out of a player mentally as well. 

Players need that recovery time now. I think to be fair to every team they should get that. 

I hope the powers that be have a real look at this. 

Managers and players would prefer it, I'm sure of that. I wonder have any of the authorities approached them about it? What is the hurry in getting the games over so quickly? 

Players are the lifeblood of hurling and we need them to be able to perform to their best, which is what they want too. Being fatigued and tired they cannot perform to the best of their ability for their county, which is a pity for everyone concerned.

The one thing I noticed about the Limerick-Waterford game was the huge difference in physicality between both teams.

Limerick had big men all over the pitch and I could only see one Waterford player who could match that physicality. This had an effect. Limerick were getting on top everywhere with that strength and with plenty of good hurling as well. 

Waterford just did not have the power to match them. Limerick easily dominated in the air with their brilliant half-back line of Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes and especially Barry Nash, a good move by Limerick putting him out wing-back. 

SMART

Also, a smart decision by Limerick was taking off Byrnes after 20 minutes, not because he was playing badly, but he had been booked and had got a warning, so John Kiely decided to do the right thing and take him off before he could be sent off. 

Of course, it is easy do that when you have a guy like Colm Coughlan to replace him. But never the less, credit to Limerick for taking off a player who was playing well. 

A sign of good management as well, and making a statement to the player that you can't cost your team. 

I'm sure Diarmaid Byrnes will learn a lot from that. No doubt who is in charge here. The right thing for a manager to do.

Limerick gave the best team performance I have seen in the Munster championship so far this year. Real hunger is back in them, plenty of energy about them and of course the new players introduced. 

Shane O'Brien a powerful young man and a great target man, got some great scores and had Waterford's defence in all kinds of trouble. Adam English in the middle of the field, what a beautiful hurler to watch, very very skillful, but also reads the game very well. He ran the show at midfield for Limerick, getting some great scores as well. 

Of course, the man that led it all for them, his best game in a long time, was the more experienced Cian Lynch. He got so much space, he must have thought all his birthdays came all at once. 

Tadhg De Búrca gave him too much freedom altogether, a player of that class will accept that with both hands and punish you severely. 

BACK TO HIS BEST

Aaron Gillane was back to something like his best, showing great leadership. Dan Morrissey at full-back is a crucial player for Limerick, a big leader for them in a very vital position and he showed it here.

Limerick are thinking very big this year. John Kiely knows the game he wants to be right for at this stage. 

He knows Cork will be dangerous, but Cork also know that Limerick will be the same. Very hard to find a weakness in this Limerick team now. 

I believe they started their best team last weekend and are getting ready to give Cork a big Limerick welcome to the Gaelic Grounds in two weeks. 

Even John Kiely is begging supporters to fill the seats and make plenty of noise. I'm sure the Cork men are looking forward to that as well. Aren't we all? 

Could it be the first of three meetings between them this year? It's possible.