Munster Hurling: Lessons for Cork from latest Limerick showdown

Cork fought back from a dreadfully slow start to once again take Limerick's scalp to put one foot in the All-Ireland series.

Cork failed to trouble the scoreboard operator until there was already 9:11 on the clock. And it took a classy Brian Hayes effort from the left sideline to get them off the mark. The Barrs man scored another quality points before half-time, when he rescued a wild Sean O’Donoghue shot that was heading well wide.

Cork’s first-half goal was obviously key to this as it put the brakes on Limerick’s blistering start. It all felt very similar to the league final. This might be a takeaway for Cork management. They cannot continue to start so slowly.

It took until the 44th minute for Cork to hit the front for the first time. But that was the fourth championship wins in the last five meetings between the two counties. At 0-10 to 0-3 up early on, they were cruising but Cork simply would not go away. 

Ben O’Connor’s side hunted them down and took the opportunities that came their way to secure the crucial second win in this round robin format.

It could have even been more comfortable only for the brilliance of Nicky Quaid in the Limerick goal, as the veteran foiled both Hayes and Barry Walsh from point-blank range.

The difference between the performance levels of the Cork half-forward line versus how they did in the league final against Limerick just three weeks ago was extremely notable.

On that day, the Limerick half-back line had life far too easy, here they were under severe pressure. Will O’Donoghue struggled at centre-back with Shane Barrett’s movement causing issues. Indeed it was his mistake in possession that saw the impressive Alan Connolly pick his pocket and set up Barrett for the goal that Cork got back into it.

Barrett ended the game with 1-2 while Fitzgibbon struck five points. The Cork captain drove over two monster points from range in the first half, as he played a similar role to Declan Dalton's on Kyle Hayes in recent years. He dropped deep, with Hayes reluctant to follow him.

Fitzgibbon also slotted the crucial last score that gave Cork some wiggle room as time was up, and he would have taken enjoyment from the puck-out he plucked out of the air above Diarmuid Byrnes, given how the league final transpired.

Barry Walsh did not score on Sunday but once again, he showed that he belongs at this level. He took some ferocious high shots from Limerick defenders and survived. There is no fear of him.

Diarmuid Healy was introduced and looked rusty. He's a lot more to offer from here no doubt.

Limerick will have some serious regrets over their poor shooting midway through the second half. Cathal O’Neill (twice), Peter Casey and Barry Nash were off target under very little pressure.

BIG OPPORTUNITY

The sending off of Cian Lynch was obviously a key factor in the outcome. He lashed out at Tim O’Mahony and got spotted. Limerick must now travel to Ennis next week without Lynch and Aaron Gillane, unless he recovers this week. Can the Banner take advantage?

If anything, the red card hindered Cork as they stopped going long on puck-outs, which had started to click in the second half, and a good few passes down the left sideline ended up in rucks, which Limerick tended to gobble up.

For all the positives, there are certainly concerns with the injuries to Ciáran Joyce and Rob Downey. Joyce departed early with a knee injury after a tangle with Shane O’Brien and is now out for the season, while Downey hobbled off before Limerick’s late free to try and will be a while getting back. 

The Cork spine will be under pressure if either or both are out for any considerable length of time.