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6 Talking Points - Munster senior hurling final, Limerick v Cork

The spotlight on Patrick Horgan’s sending-off, Limerick’s reserves of strength and that magical post-match pitch invasion.

1. Patrick Horgan’s sending-off

A huge factor in influencing the outcome of this game was Horgan’s dismissal before half-time. The rulebook indicates that James McGrath was within his rights to show a red card to Horgan.

But there is the question of  the interpretation of the rule and whether the lack of force applied by Horgan should have been factored into the equation.

On a wider note, there is  the question of consistency in hurling considering that similar challenges in this summer’s championship, including other games this weekend, have not received the same punishment.

The effect was that the dismissal was a killer for Cork as their 14 men on a baking hot day were exhausted towards the end of the second-half. Limerick’s sensible employment of the spare man eventually paid off as they ran riot in the finale.

INPHO/James Crombie

2. Limerick’s reserves of strength

The other pivotal reason for Limerick’s powerful burst for the finish line was the impact of the players they sprung from the bench. Just like the Tipperary game last month, Limerick’s attacking substitutes sparkled.

Shane Dowling, Kevin Downes and Niall Moran shot 0-6 between them for Limerick in the last 20 minutes of the match. That was a critical return that Cork could not compete with and demonstrates a massive asset that Limerick possess.

For a county blessed with a surplus of defenders in recent years, they now have plenty attacking riches. Clearly John Allen’s strategy is working of picking three physical players in the half-forward line, three natural scoring attackers in the full-forward line and then having three in reserve to bring on.

INPHO/James Crombie

3. Cork’s first-half control not reflected on the scoreboard

Before Limerick eventually triumphed there were some nervous moments. Their play was ragged at stages in the first-half up front as Cork, with Shane O’Neill and Conor O’Sullivan excelling in defence, repelling their threat.

And at the other end Cork posed problems through Seamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan for the Limerick rearguard. Yet Cork still went in at half-time level at 0-10 apiece instead of having forged ahead.

They racked up ten wides, did not manage to seize a couple of goalscoring opportunities and could not reflect their superiority on the scoreboard. With Horgan sent-off, that would prove costly in the second-half for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side.

INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

4. A slow-burning game with a magical finale

In a summer of spellbinding hurling encounters, this game did not really eclipse them. It was still tight and engaging stuff in the first-half but the quality was not sparkling.

Yet just like the firecracker in Thurles on Saturday night, the game ended with a magical finale. Cork were hampered by Patrick Horgan’s sending-off, and the contest subsequently suffered as Limerick stormed clear, but to see any county ending a 17-year wait for provincial glory is always memorable.

On a beautiful afternoon on the Gaelic Grounds, the closing moments were celebratory for the Limerick players and supporters with the full-time whistle provoking an epic pitch invasion.

INPHO/James Crombie

5. Cork get set to face Cody’s Cats

For Cork the road to September gets steeper and tougher. They must now face a Kilkenny team who will benefit from the fortnight break after a frenzied recent schedule and will be buoyant after their recent wins.

In addition Cork, already without the injured Brian Murphy and Paudie O’Sullivan, will have to cope without the suspended Patrick Horgan unless he launches a successful appeal against yesterday’s red card. Trying to pick his team is up from yesterday’s disappointment is the task that awaits Jimmy Barry-Murphy.

INPHO/James Crombie

6. Limerick and Dublin rubbish Division 1B status

Limerick for their part can cast their gaze towards an August semi-final date. They have a five week gap to contend with now and can sit back to watch the quarter-final action unfold. It’s a scenario they will embrace but one that looked wholly unlikely back on April 6th.

That night they were involved in the Division 1B final against Dublin with Anthony Daly’s side triumphing by a point. Yet as the debate unfolded at that time about the Division 1A and Division 1B league structures, both Limerick and Dublin kept their heads down to focus on championship.

Now they are both remarkably provincial champions and the front runners as the hurling summer enters the key All-Ireland series.

INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

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