Cork 4-16

Limerick 1-16

MATTHEW HURLEY REPORTS

CORK did the damage early and were able to cruise past Limerick in their Munster SFC quarter-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but a sloppy second-half showing left manager John Cleary far from satisfied.

The Rebels stormed into a 4-10 to 0-7 half-time lead, effectively ending the contest before the break.

However, that didn’t stop Cleary taking aim at their second-half display, where Cork managed just 0-6 and failed to score for the opening 16 minutes.

‘Happy with the first half. Happy with the result. Not happy with the second half. Simple as that,’ Cleary said.

‘Everything, including our attitude, was spot on in the first half. We were running hard. We were getting hands on ball. We were clinical. In the second half, we just couldn’t get our hands on the ball.’

Their drop in performance was not helped by Brian O’Driscoll’s dismissal on 55 minutes, after picking up a black card and a second yellow.

‘We were down to 14 for a lot of it, which didn’t help the situation either, but there’s lots to work on. The only thing about it is when it’s happened the last couple of times, we’ve addressed it. The following day has then been better. That’s what we hope will happen for next Saturday week against Tipperary,’ the Cork boss added.

Cork's Maurice Shanley defending against Limerick's Robbie Childs. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Focusing on the positives, Cork were electric in the opening stages, despite playing against the wind in front of an attendance of 4,709.

Four first-half goals effectively ended the match as a contest. Bantry Blues’ Dara Sheedy blasted to the net after a solo run on 14 minutes.

Less than a minute later, Tommy Walsh rifled home from an angle. By the 22nd minute, Cork were 2-6 to 0-4 ahead and firmly in control.

Seán McDonnell then palmed home after good build-up play between O’Driscoll and Chris Óg Jones. O’Driscoll was again the provider for Ian Maguire, who rounded Limerick goalkeeper Jeffrey Alfred to score Cork’s fourth goal.

It was a blistering opening that featured nine different scorers, with Jones, Steven Sherlock, Mark Cronin, Paul Walsh and Luke Fahy also contributing as the Rebels went in 15 points clear.

The opening 16 minutes of the second half saw Limerick build momentum. They outscored Cork by 1-4 to 0-0, with Robbie Childs brought down by Micheál Aodh Martin for a penalty.

Brian O’Driscoll was shown a black card instead in a case of mistaken identity, as James Naughton converted for the Treaty.

Cork eventually ended their drought through back-to-back scores from Conor Cahalane and Paul Walsh. Castlehaven’s Cahalane impressed with 0-3 in the second half, while Conor Corbett also caught the eye, setting up a couple of goal chances.

Scorers

Cork: Steven Sherlock 0-4 (1f, 1 45); Mark Cronin, Conor Cahalane 0-3 each; Dara Sheedy, Tommy Walsh, Seán McDonnell, Ian Maguire 1-0 each; Paul Walsh, Chris Óg Jones 0-2 each; Luke Fahy, Brian Hurley 0-1 each.

Limerick: James Naughton 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1f, 1 2pt); Eliah Riordan 0-5 (4 45s, 1f); Barry Coleman 0-2 (2 pt); Cillian Fahy, Rory O’Brien, Killian Ryan, Peter Nash, Mark McCarthy 0-1 each.

Cork: MA Martin (Nemo Rangers); M Shanley (Clonakilty), D O’Mahony (Knocknagree), S Meehan (Kiskeam); B O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), T Walsh (Kanturk), L Fahy (Ballincollig); C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), I Maguire (captain, St Finbarr’s); P Walsh (Kanturk), D Sheedy (Bantry Blues), S McDonnell (Mallow); M Cronin (Nemo Rangers), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: C Cahalane (Castlehaven) for D Sheedy (ht); C Corbett (Clyda Rovers) for S McDonnell (53); B Hurley (Castlehaven) for M Cronin (54); D Buckley (Newcestown) for C Óg Jones, D Cashman (Millstreet) for L Fahy (both 66).

Limerick: J Alfred; S Kilbridge, C Woulfe, D Buckley; B Coleman, K Ryan, T McCarthy; E Riordan, J McCarthy; R O’Brien, C Fahy, P Maher; R Childs, J Naughton, D Neville.

Subs: C McSweeney for J McCarthy, P Nash for P Maher (both ht); S Cross for R O’Brien (55); M McCarthy for T McCarthy (61).

Referee: S Mulhare (Laois).