McGrath Cup: Experimental Cork lose out to Limerick but still proceed to final

Cork: 0-15 (0-1-13) 

Limerick: 3-11 (3-0-11) 

An experimental Cork side lost out to a stronger Limerick outfit in their McGrath Cup clash at rain-lashed Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon.

The Rebels still proceed to the final of the pre-season competition following this Group B Round 2 match. Kerry will be the opposition next Saturday.

In front of a sparse crowd, a fairly youthful Cork team were given a proper workout in this game on what was an awful day for football. This encounter should stand to them in the long run.

The Leesiders recovered from conceding an early goal to lead by a point at the interval. They did play second fiddle in the second half, which will be a little bit of a disappointment.

Conor Daly and Darragh Cashman were standout performers for John Cleary’s side.

Despite Daly landing a straight-forward free for Cork after 40 seconds, it was a slow burner understandable given the weather conditions.

In Limerick’s first real attack, they goaled after six minutes after splitting open the Cork defence. Conall Ó Duinn set up Jack McCarthy, who palmed the ball into the net from close range.

A pair of efforts from Luke Murphy and Daly drew the Rebels level after 13 minutes, 0-3 to 1-0.

But Limerick, who fielded a stronger side, restored their lead with two points in a minute through Robbie Childs and Ó Duinn.

Cork did hit two of the next three white flags with Daly and David Buckley (free) leaving Cork one point behind with seven minutes to the break. 

Cork netminder Darragh Newman stopped Limerick from getting their second goal when he made a great point-blank save to deny James Naughton what looked like a certain goal.

It proved crucial when Buckley slotted over a two-point free, 0-7 to 1-3.

The sides traded efforts as Cork led by the bare minimum at half-time.

The away side were wind-assisted for the new half, but it was Cork who got the first score when Cashman pointed two minutes in.

Danny Neville cut the gap for Limerick before Cashman got his second point in as many minutes, 0-10 to 1-5.

Limerick were getting a grip around midfield with their subs also making an impact as a Naughton free and a Childs effort drew the Shannonsiders level.

The accurate Naughton tacked on two more points from frees until the impressive Cashman left Cork one point adrift after 45 minutes, 1-9 to 0-11.

The sides swapped white flags before Naughton raised a green flag after a great finish into the bottom corner of the Cork net, 2-10 to 0-12 with 12 minutes left.

A pair of Daly frees did keep the Rebels in touch as the game approached the closing stages.

An effort from Cork sub Paddy O’Driscoll left his side a point behind, but there would be no leveller or winner.

A Naughton free and a last-gasp goal from the sharpshooter ensured Limerick won by five points.

Scorers for Cork: C Daly 0-5 (0-3 f), D Buckley (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), D Cashman 0-3 each, L Murphy, S Walsh, P O’Driscoll, S Dore 0-1 each.

Limerick: J Naughton 2-5 (0-5 f), J McCarthy 1-0, R Childs, C Ó Duinn 0-2 each, J Mahon, D Neville 0-1 each.

CORK: D Newman (St Finbarr’s); S Meehan (Kiskeam), C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), J O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers); K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers, capt), T O’Mahony (Castlehaven), D Cashman (Millstreet); S Dore (Ballincollig), T Cunningham (Kilshannig); F Fenner (Castletownbere), C Daly (Clonakilty), D Buckley (Newcestown); D O’Connor (Knocknagree), L Murphy (Cullen), C Santry (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: C O’Shea (Kilshannig) for T O’Mahony, C Gillespie (Aghabullogue) for F Fenner, S Walsh (Mitchelstown) for D Buckley (all h-t), P O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers) for K O’Donovan, K O’Reilly (Carrigaline) for C Santry (both 42), L Casey (Aghabullogue) for L Murphy (49), C Dungan (Carrigaline) for D Newman, C Hyland (Mitchelstown) for S Meehan, S Copps (Mallow) for C Molloy (all 53).

LIMERICK: J Alfred; O Collins, D Buckley, M McCarthy; C Ó Duinn, K Ryan, T McCarthy; J McCarthy, B Coleman (capt); R O’Brien, D Neville, E Riordan; J Mahon, J Naughton, R Childs.

Subs: C McSweeney for C Ó Duinn, J Hassett for O Collins, P Maher for E Riordan (all h-t), S Cross for R Childs, S Quigley for B Coleman (both 42), L Woulfe for R O’Brien (53), S Kilbridge for L Woulfe (56, inj).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).