Limerick v Cork: What we learned from Munster Hurling Championship last round action

Just five weeks after it all began, the Munster round-robin concluded with precious little between its three qualified teams.

Table-toppers Limerick, Cork, and Tipperary all closed on five points each. 

The Rebels’ total score came to 119 points (9-92), just one green flag ahead of the Treaty and Premier on 116 each.

Notably, Pat Ryan’s side tallied 2-15 less across the four games than their record haul last year. Still, that’s healthy shooting to reach the 30-point barrier in every game bar the Shannonside no-show.

Where Limerick distinguished themselves was their defensive solidity. For the third time in four years, John Kiely’s side were the only county to concede fewer than 100 points across the four games. 

Cork’s 114 points against was only exceeded by Tipp on 119.

Still, a much-changed Limerick side displayed the difficulty in completing an unbeaten Munster round-robin when falling to a five-point loss against already-eliminated Clare.

Regardless of Limerick’s dead-rubber defeat or Cork’s nervy finish against Waterford, they will meet back at the Gaelic Grounds for the Munster final next Saturday week. In their post-match debriefs, both will reflect on a couple of common tweaks. Cork sprayed 17 wides at the Páirc. 

Adding in shots dropped short, Limerick recorded 17 misses. Cork had 57% shooting accuracy. Limerick had 58%.

Both outshot their more efficient opponents. Where Cork got the well-timed goals, Clare bagged all three amid a 77% conversion rate. But while Cork were flat out for survival, Limerick were able to rotate with eight changes from last week. 

Nickie Quaid, Seán Finn, Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch, and Aaron Gillane didn’t tog out as they were handed rests.

Kiely’s troops will be fully revved up for a Munster final rematch at home to Cork.

“The Cork team and our team have a great rivalry, and that's been evident for a number of years now,” he said. “We've played some fantastic games against each other, we’ve great respect for each other, but this is a Munster final. 

"It's on in Limerick, and we'll be giving it every single thing we have.

SPECIAL

“These are special occasions to be a part of, but you want to be at your best. For us, the next two weeks is about preparing in the very best way we possibly can to be the best team we can be on the night.

“I don't think there's ever any difficulty in finding focus when you have a Munster final at stake and you're playing Cork in that Munster final.

“That's a real primer for any team, to be ready and to be at their best. I have great faith in our lads being able to prepare themselves well for that challenge ahead.” 

Kiely was left agitated on the sideline at times as his side uncharacteristically misplaced passes and dropped balls throughout. 

That is unlikely to be the case again next time out.

Cork brought a sharper attitude and intent to their victory over Waterford, if not perfect execution. They will need to up those levels again to pocket a first Mick Mackey Cup since 2018.

Ryan Taylor’s running to exploit space for two Clare goals will provide some food for thought, but Limerick’s defence will be overhauled with returning regulars come Saturday week.

There will be interesting selection issues on both sides. Will Cork get any of Robert Downey, Niall O’Leary, or Declan Dalton back? 

Ger Millerick impressed but sustained a finger injury. They got a welcome bench bounce with late points from Shane Kingston, Diarmuid Healy, and Conor Lehane.

Limerick got the same lift with Adam English, Barry Nash, Aidan O’Connor, and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh all slotting off the bench.

IMPACT

Of their additions, Cathal O’Neill and Peter Casey built on their impacts against Cork. O’Neill stood out with 0-3 from centre-forward. Séamus Flanagan had a lively start but faded. Casey did some tidy work.

Kiely referred to some knocks, but wasn’t too concerned by those injuries ahead of the Munster final.

“Some of the changes were enforced because we’d guys with knocks from last weekend. We’d three guys that couldn't tog out in the first place,” he said.

“I don't think there's anything too serious. Dead legs and the like. The lads that got injured last weekend are something similar. Contact injuries, as opposed to soft tissue injuries, so they'll all be fine.

We've nobody that we would say that we won't have available at this point for two weeks.

“We've parked the round-robin. It's over now. We've qualified out of Munster, we've qualified for a Munster final, and we're very much looking forward to that.” 

The feeling will be mutual.