Munster MHC: Cork fall to defeat as Limerick take final spot
Cork's Stephen McHugh battles against Conor Ryan and John O'Riordan of Limerick during Friday's Electric Ireland Munster MHC game at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Cork’s hopes of reaching the Electric Ireland Munster MHC final were dashed as they were seen off by Limerick at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday night.
The Treatymen were well on top here, with victory giving them second place ahead of Cork and securing a decider against Tipperary.
The result leaves Cork in third place, progressing to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, while the already-qualified Tipp’s win over Waterford means that Clare, who looked set to be eliminated after they finished their campaign with defeat at Páirc Uí Rinn last Friday, also advance as they have head-to-head advantage over the Déise.
Limerick asserted themselves from the off. While Cork had the opening score with a Bobby Power free in the first minute, the visitors’ response of three points in a row were indicative of what was to come.
Initially, there was a strong response to that as Stephen McHugh landed a fine point from the left sideline and Power added two more frees following fouls on Sam Ring and Power himself.
That left Cork 0-4 to 0-3 ahead with the clock showing 14 minutes but it was the last time they led. Instead, seven points on the trot from Limerick underlined their superiority and put them into a commanding advantage.
Centre-back Conor Ryan and centre-forward Ryan Foley impressed for the visitors during this period but Cork made the Shannonsiders’ task a bit easier as they were turned over on their own puckout more than once.
After a good Eamon O’Sullivan point made it 0-12 to 0-6 in the 29th minute, Cork did managed to pull two back courtesy of Power frees. However, after a chance to cut the lead to three was not taken, Limerick finished the half with points from Dáire Long and a lovely individual effort from John O’Riordan to retire with a 0-14 to 0-8 advantage.
Another pointed Power free opened the second half for Cork and they had sight of goal when Liam O’Regan’s arrowed delivery was claimed by Sam Ring but Limerick goalkeeper Sam Collins saved well.
Power put the resultant 65 over the bar but Limerick always retained the capacity to respond and Eoin Hennessy and Waters (free) made it 0-16 to 0-10 on 39.
Cork sub Ryan Cagney got the first of four points following a nice Ring pass and a long-range Power free again cut Cork’s deficit to four by the three-quarter mark but it was as close as they came – Diarmuid Crowe’s impressive catch and lay-off allowed Limerick midfielder Xavier Nelligan to charge forward before finishing to the net and Waters’ fifth opened up an eight-point advantage.
Tom Huggins, another who contributed off the Cork bench, had two points as they came back to within six but any doubts about the outcome were put to bed when Crowe got Limerick’s second with five minutes left, his low shot deceiving Walsh.
The same nine-point margin pertained at the end, sending Limerick forward in buoyant form while Cork must regroup.
B Power 0-9 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), R Cagney 0-4, T Huggins 0-2, S McHugh, C Murphy, C Coffey 0-1 each.
S Waters 0-7 (0-4 f), D Crowe 1-2, X Nelligan 1-1, R Foley 0-3, D Long 0-2, D O’Grady, E O’Sullivan, C Hickey, E Hennessy, R Horgan, J O’Riordan 0-1 each.
M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), F Cahill (Midleton), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); E Considine (Sarsfields), D Nolan (Erin’s Own), C Barry (Bride Rovers); T Murphy (Cloughduv), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum); T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), B Power (Ballincollig), L O’Regan (St Finbarr’s); C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), C Murphy (Ballinora), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).
R Cagney (Mallow) for T Murphy (11-16), Cagney for Murphy (25, injured), C Ronayne (Dungourney) for McCarthy (37), D Barry (Douglas) for O’Regan (42), T Huggins (Sarsfields) for C Murphy (49), S Riordan (Kilworth) for McHugh (58).
S Collins; R Collins, W Ryan, S Mitchell; E Hennessy, C Ryan, J O’Riordan; X Nelligan, J Roche; D Crowe, R Foley, S Waters; E O’Sullivan, D O’Grady, D Long.
R Horgan for Long (37), G O’Brien for O’Grady (43), C Hickey for Roche (55), C Burke for O’Sullivan (58), B Gavin for O’Riordan (60).
E O’Leary (Clare).
App?
