Strong first half sends Cork footballers past Limerick into Munster semi-final
Mark Cronin of Cork kicks a point against Limerick. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Cork had no major problems as they proved far too strong for Limerick in the Munster SFC quarter-final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon.
John Cleary’s side, as expected, defeated the Shannonsiders at this stage for the third consecutive season.
The heavy lifting was done in the first half, despite Cork playing against the wind, scored four well-crafted goals sending them into the interval 15 points ahead.
The second half display wasn’t as sharp, but maintaining that earlier intensity was always going to be difficult given the size of their lead.
Cork finished with 14 players after Brian O’Driscoll was sent off after 55 minutes, and it marked another second half they failed to win — they have managed to win just one second half this season.
The Rebels now advance to face Tipperary in the semi-final in a fortnight.
Both sides took time to settle with the tricky wind in front of 4,709 spectators. James Naughton opened with a two-pointer for Limerick after five minutes, but Paul Walsh quickly replied with a fisted effort for Cork. The sides traded points, with Mark Cronin landing a tidy score in an evenly contested opening spell.
A moment of quality from youngster Dara Sheedy produced the game’s first goal after 14 minutes, and Cork never looked back. Just a minute later, defender Tommy Walsh joined the goalscoring act before Cronin was denied by a superb save from Limerick goalkeeper Jeffrey Alfred, leaving it 2-2 to 0-3.
Cork were building momentum and led 2-6 to 0-4 after 22 minutes, with Luke Fahy heavily involved and adding a point of his own. Their third goal arrived on 23 minutes when Chris Óg Jones set up Seán McDonnell for the simplest of finishes.
Barry Coleman responded with a two-pointer for Limerick before Ian Maguire produced a crucial block to deny Jack McCarthy what looked a certain goal. The resulting 45 was converted by Eliah Riordan.
Cork then hit 1-4 without reply, with Maguire an unlikely goalscorer as he finished superbly to leave his side 4-10 to 0-7 ahead at half-time.
Cleary’s men had the wind at their backs for the second half but started slowly. Limerick hit 1-1 without reply, the goal coming from a penalty after O’Driscoll received a black card. Naughton converted from the spot to make it 4-10 to 1-8 after 37 minutes.
Cork were sloppy on the restart as Naughton added a free, with Limerick showing renewed purpose. Killian Ryan came close to a second goal, only for his effort to rebound off the post. Riordan added a free before missing a kickable two-point attempt, leaving Cork 4-10 to 1-10 ahead after 46 minutes.
Cillian Fahy split the posts for Limerick as the Rebels waited to reassert control. Their first score of the half didn’t arrive until the 51st minute, when substitute Conor Cahalane pointed, followed by another from Paul Walsh.
Riordan kicked his third 45 for Limerick before Cork were reduced to 14 men on 55 minutes, O’Driscoll dismissed after picking up a yellow to add to his earlier black. Cork still led 4-12 to 1-12.
The sides exchanged points, with Jones on target for Cork. The Leesiders were 4-15 to 1-15 ahead entering the final five minutes, when Maurice Shanley had a chance to raise a green flag but couldn’t find the net.
Cahalane tapped over his third point as the game petered out, before Riordan rounded off the scoring with another 45.
Job done for Cork.
S Sherlock 0-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), S McDonnell, T Walsh, I Maguire, D Sheedy 1-0 each, M Cronin, C Cahalane 0-3 each, P Walsh, C Óg Jones 0-2 each, L Fahy, B Hurley 0-1 each.
J Naughton 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1 2pt, 0-1 f), E Riordan 0-5 (0-4 45, 0-1 f), B Coleman 0-2 (1 2pt), K Ryan, C Fahy, P Nash, M McCarthy, R O’Brien 0-1 each.
MA Martin; M Shanley, S Meehan, D O’Mahony; B O’Driscoll, T Walsh, L Fahy; C O’Callaghan, I Maguire (c); P Walsh, D Sheedy, S McDonnell; M Cronin, C Óg Jones, S Sherlock.
C Cahalane for D Sheedy (22-28, temp), C Cahalane for D Sheedy (h-t), C Corbett for S McDonnell (53), B Hurley for M Cronin (54), D Buckley for C Óg Jones, D Cashman for L Fahy (both 66).
J Alfred; S Kilbridge, C Woulfe, D Buckley; B Coleman, K Ryan, T McCarthy; E Riordan, J McCarthy; R O'Brien, C Fahy (c), P Maher; R Childs, J Naughton, D Neville.
C McSweeney for J McCarthy, P Nash for P Maher (both h-t), S Cross for R O’Brien (55), M McCarthy for T McCarthy (61).
Seamus Mulhare (Laois).
App?
