Seanie McGrath on Cork v Limerick: Rivalry lives up to its billing once more
SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: Seán O'Donoghue of Cork signs the match programme of a young supporte. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
The GAA’s greatest modern-day rivalry once again delivered in spades. Every time Cork and Limerick get together, and yesterday was no different, it's high-octane, it has high-quality scores, and it's overflowing with talking points and game-swinging incidents.
Leaving aside last year’s round-robin clash, there hasn’t been a championship meeting between these two over the past four years where I and everyone else weren’t on the edge of our seats, immersed in the gripping action.
It’s a rivalry that every single time goes and justifies all the talk around it.
There was so much to yesterday’s game that it probably makes most sense to take it from the top.
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Cork struggled massively in the early stages. They struggled with the movement of the Limerick midfield and half-forward line. Superb movement, at that. Watching the Limerick half-backs, they just seem to have a better ability to mind the space and not go to where their maker has gone.
Limerick were full value for their seven-point lead, but Shane Barrett’s goal, which Limerick will be disappointed about, transformed the home side.
All of a sudden, they started to dominate in the air. All of a sudden, Limerick began to be somewhat sluggish in the tackle. Impetus, freshness, and so much more arrived into Cork’s play from that goal. And, where a contest was concerned, we finally had one. It was the real start of the game.
In terms of singling fellas out, Shane Barrett and Darragh Fitzgibbon once again formed this incredibly strong double act in the half-forward line. They were the two Cork players really trying to make plays and scores happen during that difficult first 20 minutes.
For Limerick, Gillane’s loss was incalculable. Against that, Peter Casey was outstanding for the time he was on the field. Three brilliant points. Could have had more.
I said we were going to take it from the top, but no different to the game itself, we’re now travelling here, there, and everywhere. The Downey-Hegarty match-up is almost becoming a sideshow worth the entrance fee alone. It doesn’t matter which of the Glen brothers is tagging the Limerick No.10, it is just a smashing battle. And an honest battle at that. No maliciousness or anything of the sort.
Hegarty is gone running before Quaid ever pucks out the sliotar. Those watching on television probably don’t see how hard he is charging to get himself into space. And then Eoin is bursting a gut to stay with him. Or the aerial contests between Gearóid and Rob, it’s enthralling to observe. Hopefully we haven’t seen the last of this match-up in 2026.
Brian Hayes didn’t have a 9/10 performance. But when a big player was needed to provide a key moment, he was exactly that. Got a great score off his left in the first half when he wasn’t in the game. Won a free in another instance.
For Cork’s second goal, I was watching further down the line before Patrick Collins delivered, and Brian was being mauled - fairly, at that, real teak-tough stuff. But his power and ability to win the ball off one hop and flick it onto Connolly was brilliant. Without being dominant, he was exceptional in the important moments.
There was a bit of criticism that Brian, along with Alan and William Buckley, were poorly supplied against Tipp. I reckon, though, that Ben was letting his players hurl on the fly, that when Darragh and Shane saw there was no Tipp sweeper, they had the confidence and pace to take on their man and take aim.
Yesterday, Cork’s decision-making in terms of what was in front of them was really good. They could see the constant movement of Hayes and Connolly inside, and the striking into them was so effective.
Tim O’Mahony and Tommy O’Connell brought more energy than they did a week earlier, and they also operated slightly higher than they did in Thurles, especially after Cian Lynch was sent off, so they were two extra outlets to take possession and deliver sharper and smarter ball inside.
And there were still moments of panache in and around that approach. Barry Walsh flicked the sliotar over Diarmaid Byrnes’ head at one point and was desperately unlucky a score didn’t come off it. He had tried the same against Tipp. Clearly Ben didn’t scold the youngster for exemplifying Cork style, and rightly so. Keep encouraging Barry to express himself.
Damien Cahalane has been an unbelievable servant to Cork and carried out his duties manfully when introduced, but you’re obviously hoping that Ciarán Joyce’s knee injury isn’t overly serious. His League final and Munster Round 1 performances showed his deep worth to the Cork full-back line.
Minus Gillane for the entirety and minus Cian Lynch for the last 20 minutes, Limerick were still in front going into injury-time. They contributed as much to this phenomenal advertisement for hurling as Cork did.
Limerick’s greatness is still there for everyone to see, and while Cork are a small bit behind them in that regard, what's desperately encouraging is their grit to come through this game and the continued strengthening of their resolve.
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