John Horgan on hurling: Cork saw in Waterford that Limerick are hell-bent on returning to summit

When Limerick failed to secure the maximum return from their opening game in the Munster SHC against Tipperary, there might have been a school of thought that their best days were behind them.

After all, this was against a Tipperary team that had been hammered in the league final by Cork and Limerick themselves had performed poorly during the secondary competition campaign.

Therefore the spotlight was very much on John Kiely's team as they prepared to enter Walsh Park last Saturday night to encounter a Waterford team that had been hugely impressive in downing the All-Ireland champions Clare six days earlier.

Well, Limerick had all the answers ready for those who might have been sceptical about their health and when the last whistle sounded, the message that they had emphatically delivered was loud and clear, we haven't gone away. They certainly haven't and it appeared that they have no intention of doing so.

Waterford received plenty of plaudits after putting Clare into a very precarious position at the round-robin stage of the provincial campaign and quite rightly so too. But their dismal record against Limerick since the introduction of the new format was extended by another year. 

They are still very much in the equation to be one of the three counties that will enter the All-Ireland series after that victory over Clare, but it's not going to be easy for them now. All the more so as their next two games are on away turf against Tipperary and Cork.

HELL-BENT

Of course, nothing is certain in this Munster championship given its hugely competitive nature and Waterford and Tipperary will be a very interesting encounter when the time comes. But it was all about Limerick at Walsh Park and at the end of the 70 minutes it was a job very well done and a signal of intent that they are hell-bent on making it seven provincial titles on the trot.

They have already set the record with their six previous victories in an age when Munster championship hurling has a standing in the game that has surpassed many of the great campaigns of the past.

So, what impressed us most about their win over Peter Queally's side?

Kiely, Paul Kinnerk and the rest of the Limerick management would have been very aware of how Waterford had dealt with the Clare challenge and in front of their own supporters in Walsh Park the message would have been loud and clear, secure an early foothold in the proceedings and ensure that the Deise men don't get any sort of a run on you.

And that's exactly how it transpired from the moment Diarmuid Byrnes boomeranged over a superb point in the opening minute which was followed by another brace from two of Limerick's best players on the night, Shane O'Brien and the outstanding Cian Lynch.

Those opening couple of scores set the trend for the rest of the game and in the end it was a pillar-to-post victory achieved with a great deal of authority.

To be fair to Waterford, they made it as difficult enough for them at times and by the 43rd minute there was just two points dividing the sides.

But despite that small margin one always had the feeling that Limerick had the artillery to move up the gears again and that's exactly how it all panned out with a quartet of unanswered points at a packed Walsh Park.

The game was the ideal opportunity for the Cork management to have a good, hard look at their next two opponents, Limerick next Sunday week and Waterford a week later.

There is still a lot of hurling to be played for all the five counties at this round-robin stage of the championship but pre-season predictions that Cork and Limerick would occupy the top two places may well be justified. They share those two spots currently with all five counties having played two games and one more victory from their remaining two games may well be enough to secure a final spot.

An overall return of five points would very likely be enough for John Kiely and Pat Ryan to be planning for a Munster final. We all know how things can change very quickly but right now the smarter money might be going on a Cork, Limerick decider in the province next month.

Let's put it like this, if Cork come out of the Gaelic Grounds with a victory and that's going to be an immense task in itself they would be odds-on to get the job done a week later in SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh against Waterford. Limerick's final outing is against Clare and if the Banner defeat Tipperary next weekend it would set things up for a hell of a contest between the close neighbours.

One thing is as certain as night follows day, Limerick and Cork are set for a gargantuan collision on the Ennis Road next Sunday week.

There was so much to admire about the Shannonsiders in Walsh Park and as a unit they were hugely impressive.

Lynch, O'Brien, Tom Morrissey and Adam English rifled over sublime points and the depth of their squad was all too evident again after the introduction of Colin Coughlan, Cathal O'Neill and Aidan O'Connor who all got on the scoreboard. Coughlan impacted immediately after replacing Diarmuid Byrnes who was on a yellow card and the management were not taking any chances in that situation.

Barry Nash exhibited how he can break out of defence and get on the board too and if there is any sign of weakness in any player he is quickly called ashore. And on this occasion, there was no Seamus Flanagan and Peter Casey to further embellish their attacking prowess.

This was a potentially tricky visit to Waterford's headquarters, all the more so after Waterford's huge confidence booster against Clare and how difficult that venue has proved to be for visiting teams over the years.

To have been a more forceful opponent, Waterford needed to breach the Limerick defence but on the one or two occasions that they came close enough it was capably dealt with.

For that matter, Limerick didn't really threaten Billy Nolan either in the Waterford goal. At times their final delivery was too wayard and a couple of their more experienced operators were not major influences on the game.

Are Limerick as good as they were during their four-in-a-row triumphs?

Maybe, maybe not, but on the evidence presented last Saturday night they are on the build again and ready to be the strongest of challengers when the business end of the season is upon us.

SLICK

They are still one of the slickest teams around when they secure possession and their physicality and aggression remain as strong as ever.

The Cork management will have learned loads from their performance against Waterford and at this point in time the country's two best teams will be in direct opposition next Sunday week.

And maybe, just maybe that won't be their last meeting this season.