Cork player ratings: Too many forwards failed to fire in league final loss to Limerick
William Buckley of Cork breaks through against Limerick. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Struggled to make his puck-outs stick in the first half, against the wind and a dominant Limerick half-back line. Didn’t hit enough long restarts at all with the breeze but that was clearly a tactical decision.
Denied Cian Lynch a goal before the break with a smart stop and stood up at his near post to an Aaron Gillane drive in the second half.
Ideally suited to tracking David Reidy. He was one of Cork’s best performers, hurling well even in the last 15 minutes when the game became scrappy and the match-ups were constantly switching.
Ciarán Joyce: A big test in his new role, left on Shane O’Brien in acres of space.
More than held his own and will have to remain in the full-back line for his size and strength.
Given the short straw of marking Aaron Gillane, who buried a terrific goal. Did fine otherwise until going off injured before half-time.
Wearing six but on the wing to pick up Gearóid Hegarty. He kept tabs with him for most of the first half but Hegarty really thrived against the wind, snaring primary possession and earning a succession of frees.
Completely blotted out Aidan O’Connor from play but the issue was he wasn’t allowed to drop off to cover in front of Gillane and O’Brien.
Hadn’t featured regularly in the league but did a decent job on Cathal O’Neill for the 47 minutes he was on before Mark Coleman was introduced.
Adam English sniped off three early points but O’Connell grew into the game and stopped a goal with a great tackle. Clipped a point himself, was fouled for a free and emptied the tank until he was brought on with 10 minutes left.
Had to sacrifice his game to stick with Cian Lynch. Handled the Limerick playmaker, who eventually switched to 11 before coming off. Grabbed a couple of points of his own but had one sloppy miss.
Got an early point and battled away with Kyle Hayes but wasn’t his usual forceful self in what was only his second start of the spring. Perhaps a bit rusty.
At his best, the Blarney flier punches holes in the Limerick rearguard with his pace and movement. Never got motoring at all, despite trying very hard in the second half. It meant William O’Donoghue was able to sag off and sweep against the wind.
Finished with a couple of points but wasn’t able to grab any clean puck-outs against Diarmaid Byrnes and like Barrett never got the opportunity to make his speed count. A byproduct of Cork’s struggles in the middle third overall.
Lively first half, clipping a point and setting up a couple of scores. Added two sweet scores in the second half and was well able to secure his own ball. Came off late on but a major positive.
His early goal was a gift but a serious threat with his size and skill in Dan Morrissey’s absence. Ended up with 1-3 and was fouled for two frees but Cork’s sin was they didn’t, or weren’t able, to feed him properly with the breeze.
No issues with his free-taking and was fouled for two of them but only had the sliotar in his paw a few times across the 70-odd minutes. Surprised Cork didn’t give him a spin in the half-forward line.
Wasn’t suited to handling a forward of Gillane’s heft, especially with minimal cover.
Once he settled after coming on, he made some fine plays, including a neat point and a wonderful low puck-out catch.
Knocked over a point and tried hard in what is his debut season.
Unlucky with a goal chance that whizzed wide in the closing stages.
On too late to rate.
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