Fintan O'Toole
Reports from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Cork 2-22
Limerick 1-23
IT ENDED in drama and tension, Limerick lobbing a late free towards the Cork goalmouth as they desperately chased a two-point deficit, the home side left relieved as the ball broke clear and referee James Owens brought the action to a close.
The match had swerved away from Limerick when they conceded a 45th minute goal to Alan Connolly and then lost Cian Lynch to a red card five minutes later, punished for an off-the-ball swing on Tim O’Mahony.
But despite those severe setbacks they drew on their reserves of resilience to drag Cork back towards them. When Diarmaid Byrnes despatched a 20-yard free towards the goal in the 68th minute, his shot squirming past Cork bodies and into the corner of the net, Limerick’s 14 men were one up.
Cork’s anxiety levels had increased, yet they found a way to string together a winning run of points. Alan Connolly stepped up to nail two frees under rising pressure and then captain Darragh Fitzgibbon broke clear to flight over the last score of the game.
Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon celebrates a late score. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Limerick manager John Kiely with coach Paul Kinnerk. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Relief mixed with celebration in the Cork camp after. They made hard work of closing out the game despite their personnel advantage for a large chunk of the second half, but considering their dreadful start, the positive outcome at the finish was one to savour.
It began just like it did three weeks ago on league final day, Limerick weaving their paths of magic in attack and establishing total control. The scores flowed, Byrnes getting them up and running with a point after only 19 seconds. Limerick struck the first five points of the game without reply, Cork registered the next two to at last get off the mark, and Limerick countered then with four on the bounce.
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By the close of the first quarter they had raced in front 0-10 to 0-3, nine of those efforts supplied from play, and were dominating Cork in all the key sectors. Cork’s struggles were compounded by the early loss through injury of Ciaran Joyce, he limped off after five minutes.
Cork’s Eoin Downey with Gearoid Hegarty of Limerick. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
But the home side clawed their way back into it. Their recovery was kickstarted by the only goal of the first half in the 21st minute. Sean Finn worked a pass in defence to William O’Donoghue, yet he couldn’t stun the ball, allowing Alan Connolly and Shane Barrett to pounce. Connolly gathered and offloaded to Barrett who finished in brilliant style to the net.
From there to the break Cork stayed in the hunt, drawing level occasionally as Connolly finished the half with 0-5 while Brian Hayes looked dangerous inside as he picked off a brace. Limerick rounded out the scoring for the half though, Shane O’Brien and Cathal O’Neill on target to send them ahead 0-16 to 1-11.
Both goalkeepers stepped up after the interval with terrific saves. Nickie Quaid denied Brian Hayes at one end, while a couple of minutes later Patrick Collins deflected a Peter Casey drive out for a ’65. Both teams remained in contention before Cork made a pivotal breakthrough.
Cork’s Seán O'Donoghue and Tim O'Mahony with Adam English of Limerick Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
The Hayes-Connolly combination worked in Cork’s favour, the former creating for the latter who finished decisively past Nickie Quaid. Cork’s hopes rose in the wake of that strike, Limerick were hit further by Lynch’s dismissal and the concession of frees which Fitzgibbon pointed. The outlook could have been bleaker for Limerick but Quaid saved brilliantly from Cork youngster Barry Walsh.
Limerick never allowed Cork to get more than three ahead. That was significant in giving them a fighting chance. Cathal O’Neill bagged two vital points as part of a charge that cut the gap to one. It ebbed and flowed then, Barrett and Tommy O’Connell points for Cork sandwiching a monster shot from distance by Byrnes.
Then the Patrickswell defender contributed a bigger moment with his goal. It placed Limerick on the cusp of a famous victory yet they would not trouble the scoreboard operator again. Cork got the job done in the end, preserving their unbeaten Munster start.
Scorers for Cork: Alan Connolly 1-8 (0-7f), Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-5 (0-2f), Shane Barrett 1-2, Brian Hayes 0-2, William Buckley 0-2, Eoin Downey 0-1, Tim O’Mahony 0-1 (0-1f), Tommy O’Connell 0-1.
Scorers for Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-7 (0-2f), Diarmaid Byrnes 1-2 (1-0f), Cathal O’Neill 0-4, Peter Casey 0-3, Shane O’Brien 0-3, Gearóid Hegarty 0-2, Adam English 0-2.
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Late Cork points deliver Munster hurling win over 14-man Limerick
Cork 2-22
Limerick 1-23
IT ENDED in drama and tension, Limerick lobbing a late free towards the Cork goalmouth as they desperately chased a two-point deficit, the home side left relieved as the ball broke clear and referee James Owens brought the action to a close.
The match had swerved away from Limerick when they conceded a 45th minute goal to Alan Connolly and then lost Cian Lynch to a red card five minutes later, punished for an off-the-ball swing on Tim O’Mahony.
But despite those severe setbacks they drew on their reserves of resilience to drag Cork back towards them. When Diarmaid Byrnes despatched a 20-yard free towards the goal in the 68th minute, his shot squirming past Cork bodies and into the corner of the net, Limerick’s 14 men were one up.
Cork’s anxiety levels had increased, yet they found a way to string together a winning run of points. Alan Connolly stepped up to nail two frees under rising pressure and then captain Darragh Fitzgibbon broke clear to flight over the last score of the game.
Relief mixed with celebration in the Cork camp after. They made hard work of closing out the game despite their personnel advantage for a large chunk of the second half, but considering their dreadful start, the positive outcome at the finish was one to savour.
It began just like it did three weeks ago on league final day, Limerick weaving their paths of magic in attack and establishing total control. The scores flowed, Byrnes getting them up and running with a point after only 19 seconds. Limerick struck the first five points of the game without reply, Cork registered the next two to at last get off the mark, and Limerick countered then with four on the bounce.
By the close of the first quarter they had raced in front 0-10 to 0-3, nine of those efforts supplied from play, and were dominating Cork in all the key sectors. Cork’s struggles were compounded by the early loss through injury of Ciaran Joyce, he limped off after five minutes.
But the home side clawed their way back into it. Their recovery was kickstarted by the only goal of the first half in the 21st minute. Sean Finn worked a pass in defence to William O’Donoghue, yet he couldn’t stun the ball, allowing Alan Connolly and Shane Barrett to pounce. Connolly gathered and offloaded to Barrett who finished in brilliant style to the net.
From there to the break Cork stayed in the hunt, drawing level occasionally as Connolly finished the half with 0-5 while Brian Hayes looked dangerous inside as he picked off a brace. Limerick rounded out the scoring for the half though, Shane O’Brien and Cathal O’Neill on target to send them ahead 0-16 to 1-11.
Both goalkeepers stepped up after the interval with terrific saves. Nickie Quaid denied Brian Hayes at one end, while a couple of minutes later Patrick Collins deflected a Peter Casey drive out for a ’65. Both teams remained in contention before Cork made a pivotal breakthrough.
The Hayes-Connolly combination worked in Cork’s favour, the former creating for the latter who finished decisively past Nickie Quaid. Cork’s hopes rose in the wake of that strike, Limerick were hit further by Lynch’s dismissal and the concession of frees which Fitzgibbon pointed. The outlook could have been bleaker for Limerick but Quaid saved brilliantly from Cork youngster Barry Walsh.
Limerick never allowed Cork to get more than three ahead. That was significant in giving them a fighting chance. Cathal O’Neill bagged two vital points as part of a charge that cut the gap to one. It ebbed and flowed then, Barrett and Tommy O’Connell points for Cork sandwiching a monster shot from distance by Byrnes.
Then the Patrickswell defender contributed a bigger moment with his goal. It placed Limerick on the cusp of a famous victory yet they would not trouble the scoreboard operator again. Cork got the job done in the end, preserving their unbeaten Munster start.
Scorers for Cork: Alan Connolly 1-8 (0-7f), Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-5 (0-2f), Shane Barrett 1-2, Brian Hayes 0-2, William Buckley 0-2, Eoin Downey 0-1, Tim O’Mahony 0-1 (0-1f), Tommy O’Connell 0-1.
Scorers for Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-7 (0-2f), Diarmaid Byrnes 1-2 (1-0f), Cathal O’Neill 0-4, Peter Casey 0-3, Shane O’Brien 0-3, Gearóid Hegarty 0-2, Adam English 0-2.
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
5. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)
10. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Barry Walsh (Killeagh)
15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), 13. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 14. William Buckley (St Finbarr’s),
Subs
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
4. Barry Nash (South Liberties), 3. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), 2. Seán Finn (Bruff),
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), 7. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
8. Adam English (Doon), 9. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
10. Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s), 11. Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), 12. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister)
13. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), 14. Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), 15. David Reidy (Dromin/Athlacca)
Subs
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
*****
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Cork Drama GAA Hurling Limerick Munster