Cork hurlers feel the pain after losing home record but season will be judged on All-Ireland series
ON THE FLOOR: Cork's Shane Barrett is tackled by Limerick's Diarmaid Byrnes. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie
Huge disappointment for Cork hurling players, management and supporters on Sunday.
There’s no denying it. A first home Munster final loss, an unbeaten record that stretched to 12 games ended and the Mick Mackey Cup in Limerick’s grasp for a staggering seventh time in eight seasons.
Yet, stepping back and taking in the bigger picture, this season will be judged on the All-Ireland series.
Cork’s path is now clear. They’ll face Offaly on June 21-22 in the quarter-finals, a semi-final with new Leinster champions Galway two weeks later and if they prevail, a showdown with Limerick, Clare or Dublin on July 19. And we all know it’ll be the Treaty.
Cork must store up the pain from this, though God knows they’ve endured enough of that in recent seasons, and also learn their lessons.
This was a game decided on razor-thin margins. Tim O’Mahony, who was excellent on placed balls, hit a 65 against the post which would have nudged Cork four clear and Limerick pointed at the other on the next play.
From there, the hosts were outscored 0-6 to 0-2 coming down the stretch. In fact, Brian Hayes’ wonder goal was the last flag they raised from play. Credit too must go to the Limerick defence, which was tenacious all through.
There was some justifiable criticism of referee James Owens, especially with a few of his calls and yellow card for Seán O’Donoghue, who had to be replaced as a consequence, but 1-11 of Cork’s tally was from placed balls.
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Cork only managed 1-6 from play, the wide count was 10-1 in Limerick’s favour and keeper Patrick Collins made four fine saves. That’s telling.
By the same token, Limerick keeper Nickie Quaid was picked as RTÉ Man of the Match. His stop from Mark Coleman came at a critical stage.
Introducing Adam English, pushing Cian Lynch to 11, moving Gearóid Hegarty closer to goal and taking off Aaron Gillane all stretched the Cork defence. The absence of Ciarán Joyce and his ability to take on a variety of forwards was keenly felt in the last quarter, particularly with O’Donoghue withdrawn.
Without a doubt, Darragh Fitzgibbon was a colossal loss, given he was Man of the Match in three of the last four wins over Limerick. While he’s not an out-and-out ball-winner on puck-outs, Cork weren’t strong enough aerially.
The return from the half-forward line was just two points, even if Diarmuid Healy was one of Cork’s best performers and Barry Walsh had a specific job of keeping Kyle Hayes honest. Huge room for improvement there.
There's no benefit in Cork feeling sorry for themselves or thinking too far ahead. Limerick can be parked up for now. It's Offaly next.
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