Hayes lands winning point as Cork see off Limerick in Munster league clash

Fintan O'Toole Reports from Páirc Uí Rinn

Cork 0-20

Limerick 1-16

A RETURN TO the playing fields then for Limerick’s supremely dominant hurlers, this afternoon the first sighting in a game situation in almost six months.

darragh-odonovan-with-conor-lehane Limerick's Darragh O'Donovan and Cork's Conor Lehane. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Recently returned from the Caribbean break that rewarded their latest blast of All-Ireland heroics, Limerick landed in Cork. The Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league provided the low-key setting, yet the fixture drew an unseasonal healthy attendance for a hurling match in mid-January, four and a half thousand present on the Boreenmanna Road.

Those present were treated to an ending that was highly competitive and sparked plenty excitement as both teams searched for a winner. Conor O’Grady nudged Limerick ahead with a 67th minute score, before Conor Lehane brought his afternoon’s tally to a dozen when nailing a 70th minute free.

Both teams showcased inaccuracy in their shooting then before it fell to Brian Hayes, a footballer in 2022 and now embedded in the hurling ranks, to clip over the score that won it for Cork.

cormac-beausang-with-dan-morrissey Dan Morrissey and Cormac Beausang. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The complexion of the Limerick team was vastly changed from that which achieved the completion of the three-in-a-row last July.

The Morrissey brothers, Dan and Tom, and midfielder Darragh O’Donovan were the only starters from then that were involved from the throw-in here. In total ten of the Liam MacCarthy Cup winning matchday squad were part of the ranks, the team peppered with some familiar names – Richie English, David Reidy and Barry Murphy, along with a bunch of the U20 team that lost the All-Ireland final last summer, all eager to impress.

A few did just that, sticking their hand up and waving furiously to grab the attention of Kiely. Defender Fergal O’Connor was tidy at the back, neat in possession and produced a terrific intervention to hook Hayes when he sized up the goal in the 47th minute.

Kilmallock’s Shane O’Brien was the pick of the forwards, last year’s Ardscoil Rís star grabbing two points and was engaged in a brilliant duel with Cork’s Rob Downey. Outside him Aidan O’Connor from Ballybrown did well, launching over one sublime point underneath the main stand in the first half.

john-kiely-with-pat-ryan Pat Ryan with John Kiely before the game. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Cork had their own new forwards on show. Hayes did enough to suggest his presence and ball-winning skills could be useful at this level. He shot two points and was a focal point for Cork’s attacking play. Alongside him Cormac Beausang grabbed the eye in the first half with a pair of scores.

Cork had edged ahead 0-11 to 1-7 at the interval. Limerick’s goal arriving from a long delivery unleashed by Darragh O’Donovan, the ball seemingly evading Oisin O’Reilly as it dropped and deceiving Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins. It was Limerick who accelerated ahead in the third quarter, 1-14 to 0-13 clear at one stage. Ultimately Cork had a couple of strong performers to haul themselves back into contention. Lehane was their primary scorer, while Ciaran Joyce became more dominant at centre-back.

The outcome could have swung either way in the finish but Cork got their nose in front, setting up a final meeting with Tipperary next Sunday. An encounter to satisfy both managers, they’ll meet again at the start of a different league competition on Saturday 4 February.

Scorers for Cork: Conor Lehane 0-12 (0-7f, 0-1 ’65), Cormac Beausang 0-2, Brian Hayes 0-2, Conor Cahalane 0-1, Luke Meade 0-1, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1, Shane Barrett 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: David Reidy 0-9 (0-9f), Darragh O’Donovan 1-0, Shane O’Brien 0-2, Aidan O’Connor 0-2. Barry Murphy 0-1, Oisin O’Reilly 0-1. Conor O’Grady 0-1.

Cork

1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), 3. Rob Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra – captain)

5. Cathal Cormack (Blackrock), 6. Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), 7. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum)

8. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), 9. Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk)

10. Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), 11. Conor Lehane (Midleton), 12. Luke Meade (Newcestown)

15. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 14. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), 13. Cormac Beausang (Midleton)

Subs

21. Sam Quirke (Midleton) for O’Sullivan (half-time)

22. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers) for Meade (52)

24. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers) for Cahalane (52)

26. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills) for Barrett (57)

25. Colin Walsh (Kanturk) for O’Connell (62)

20. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers) for Quirke (inj) (66)

Limerick

1. David McCarthy (Glenroe)

4. Aaron Costello (Kilmallock), 3. Richie English (Doon), 2. Fergal O’Connor (Effin)

5. Mark Quinlan (Garryspillane), 6. Dan Morrissey (Ahane – captain), 7. Ciaran Barry (Ahane)

8. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), 9. Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock)

10. Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), 11. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), 12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

13. Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), 14. Barry Murphy (Doon), 15. Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)