Cork player ratings: How the footballers fared in victory over Limerick

Micheál Aodh Martin: The big call beforehand, restoring the Nemo keeper to the number one geansaí ahead of Patrick Doyle, who had struggled with his kick-outs in the league final.

He was against a very strong wind in the first half with Cork retaining seven of his 11 restarts. In the second half it was eight-six and one of the misplaced kick-outs cost Cork a penalty and Brian O’Driscoll to a black-card. 6.

Maurice Shanley: Top display in the league final against Meath and solid throughout here. Could have had a late goal but Jeffrey Alfred made a solid stop. 7.

Daniel O'Mahony: One of Cork’s leaders and most consistent performers from full-back but this was a match where much of the action was beyond his reach. Minded the house and Limerick only scored two from play from their starting inside forwards. 6.

Sean Meehan: Good tidy game and was able to get up the field regularly due to Cork’s dominance in the first half. Pegged back across that very sloppy second period. 6.

Brian O'Driscoll: With Cork on the front foot he collected the world of ball in the first half and had the freedom to attack. Had a hand of two of Cork’s first-half goals with clever passes.

Second half was a nightmare as he was in the sin-bin for 10 minutes before being sent off on his return. 6.

Tommy Walsh: Roared up twice in the space of a minute in the first half to set up Dara Sheedy’s opening goal and then blasted the net himself. 7.

Luke Fahy: Heavily involved from the throw-in. Clipped over a lovely first-half point and two superb turnovers in the middle third resulted in 1-1. Quieter second half, like many of his team-mates. 7.

Ian Maguire: Took his goal brilliantly, dummying the keeper and rolling the ball home with the outside of his foot. Made his size count on kick-outs as you’d expect.

Had three second-half assists when Cork only managed 0-6. 7.

Colm O'Callaghan: Game bypassed him a bit in the opening period, with Cork’s half-back line carrying possession. Caught a few restarts with the wind but not as forceful as previous matches this season. 6.

Paul Walsh: Another fine showing from the Kanturk club man. Fisted the first point and angled over a neat score on the run in the second half. 7.

Dara Sheedy: Burst through and rammed home his first senior goal and showed his worth as a link-man from centre-forward too.

Took a hefty hit coming up to half-time, which was a concern as he also has U20 commitments. Sensibly withdrawn but Cork missed his energy. 7.

Sean McDonnell: Flicked in a goal in the first half. Faded out of the game a bit after the break. 6.

Mark Cronin: Hit the ground running on Sunday and had 0-3 on board by the break. Like a number of his team-mates, just couldn’t get motoring in the second half. 7.

Chris Óg Jones: Against the wind he was starved of possession but split the posts with his first touch after 19 minutes and then set up McDonnell’s goal. Raised a second white flag but just didn’t get quality possession. 6.

Steven Sherlock: Had a terrific second quarter, landing a 45 into the teeth of the wind and firing two from play while dictating the tempo of the attack. Wasn’t able to find his rhythm after half-time, like most of the forwards. 7.

Subs:

Conor Cahalane: Came on for Sheedy, first as a temporary sub and then at half-time. Very impressed 35 minutes where he contributed three of Cork’s six points. 7.

Brian Hurley: Kicked a good point and steadied the ship in the last 20 minutes. 6.

Conor Corbett: Full of running in the fourth quarter, setting up two scores and a good goal chance for Shanley. 6.

Darragh Cashman, David Buckley: Not on long enough to rate.