Reality check for Cork, they need to get their act together to beat Waterford

Limerick utterly dismantled Cork on home turf on Sunday.

Smarting from the pain of the Rebels ending their drive for five last summer, they laid down a serious marker for the rest of this campaign. The path to Liam MacCarthy goes through them.

Any hurling fan who didn't know that wasn't paying attention to their powerful showing in Waterford after the draw to Tipp. They've reshaped and freshened their line-up and look as good as ever.

Pat Ryan and his players must refocus for next Sunday afternoon as a win over Waterford assures progression to the All-Ireland series. In fact a win puts them ahead of Tipp for a Munster final berth on the the head-to-head rule. Scoring difference is also in their favour, if now-eliminated Clare somehow beat Limerick at the weekend.

Sunday's game was as good as over after the first quarter, the hosts 1-10 to 0-4 ahead and their supporters baying for blood. 

Limerick hurled like this was more important than a regular Munster round-robin encounter and that was reflected on the scoreboard. The gap at half-time was 15 and by the final whistle it was 16, the same margin as the 2021 All-Ireland final demolition.

Limerick didn't let up in the second half, even if the scoring rate overall dropped. From one to 15, they excelled and their bench added energy in the last quarter when Cork were trying to eat into the advantage.

The Treaty shut down Cork's long puck-out and wiped out their half-forward line, apart from a few first-half flashes from Shane Barrett and Seamus Harnedy after the break. 

Darragh Fitzgibbon's woes summed it up, he ended up moving from 11 to the wing to midfield, then back to the half-forwards and eventually at the edge of the square. Fitzgibbon had three wides but was relentlessly hounded. 

SWARMED

Brian Hayes had a few moments when he threatened to break clear for a goal but he was either fouled or swarmed. Limerick's defence was in command throughout.

In total contrast, Cork's half-back line was pulled all over the place. Mark Coleman actually showed as an outlet on the wing but for all his efforts to supply the full-forwards, Tom Morrissey and his replacement Cathal O'Neill were able to gamble and move into space waiting for turnovers.

Niall O'Leary, aside from the early slip, Eoin Downey, penalised harshly for a penalty, and Seán O'Donoghue, battled gamely given the space created in front of them and the volume of costly possession spilled.

Cork will need a few changes to get the better of the Déise, though injuries will ensure that anyway.

As for a Munster final rematch back up in TUS Gaelic Grounds next month? If Cork do beat Waterford it would be remarkable to reverse the result.