Analysis: Cork hurlers in strong position but they've still got a lot of room to improve

Cork have hurled better, in more free-flowing games, and lost.

To have survived as tough an eight days as they come in the Munster arena, against the All-Ireland champions and the dominant force of the modern era, puts them in a very strong position now to extend their summer. In the previous six round-robins, Cork never won their opening two matches.

Against both Tipp and Limerick, they did enough to secure victories and you’d still feel they can improve. One win against Waterford or Clare will put Cork in a Munster final.

Being critical in that context is perhaps unfair but when the game tape is reviewed, Cork will know they rode their luck a bit.

The sending off of Cian Lynch midway through the second half followed by a free to put Cork 2-15 to 0-19 ahead up should have signalled a strong finish, especially with Páirc Uí Chaoimh rocking. Ben O’Connor and his selectors have worked extremely hard to improve how Cork move the ball through the lines and an extra man was ideal to do just that.

Limerick haven’t lifted Liam MacCarthy five times since 2018 for nothing though and they left absolutely everything out there to try and dig out a result. Barry Walsh was denied a goal by Nickie Quaid after 51 minutes which would have probably wrapped it up, but Cork only managed seven points from there.

When they coughed up a goal to a Diarmaid Byrnes free in the 67th minute that should have been smothered to go one behind, the pressure was on. Full credit to Cork though, they hit the last three points, with Darragh Fitzgibbon and Mark Coleman, the captain and vice-captain at the heart of them.

The loss of Aaron Gillane to injury gave Cork a boost when the teams were named yet Limerick were magnificent initially and led 0-10 to 0-3 after the first quarter. With Gillane out, Peter Casey and Shane O’Brien each pilfered 0-3 while Cathal O’Neill was unmarkable at times, though his four points from play were slightly undone by four wides.

Shane Barrett’s goal from an Alan Connolly steal and assist was the key moment in the first half. 

Cork went in just two down, 0-16 to 1-11, and you fancied them to get another goal, with Barry Walsh twice coming close to ripping the Limerick rearguard open.

LOCKDOWN

After such a ropey start, Cork really tightened up defensively in the second half, with Eoin Downey doing well to keep a lid on Gearóid Hegarty. Patrick Collins made a smart stop to prevent a Casey goal. Niall O’Leary was terrific as usual at corner-back.

Tommy O’Connell and Tim O’Mahony more than broke even with Adam English and Lynch, while going short on puck-outs was reaping a reward. Seán O’Donoghue made himself available and delivered some quality long ball down the left flank while a boomer from Collins saw Brian Hayes set up Connolly’s goal.

Newcomers Walsh and William Buckley, especially as he hit 0-2 and was fouled for two frees, had their moments but Cork didn’t get as much as they’d have hoped from Diarmuid Healy on his introduction. Another two weeks training on his return will help before the game in Walsh Park.

One major concern is a knee injury to Ciarán Joyce that forced him off after just four minutes. Joyce being out long-term would be a significant blow given his adaptability and sheer class. Rob Downey had another powerful outing but he limped out late with an ankle issue.

Limerick head to Ennis next weekend against a Clare team buoyed by beating Waterford. The Treaty need to get a result and you still wouldn’t back against them.