You don’t always get what you deserve
In that time Limerick beat fancied Cork teams in Páirc uí Chaoimh at both grades. Indeed, any Cork victory since 2000 has been hard earned including last year when I watched Cork steal – I use the term advisedly – victory from Limerick’s grasp in the final moments of yet another Munster semi-final. It is these performances that sustained the Limerick players’ belief that they would win yesterday’s Munster final.
It was evident from an early stage yesterday that Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s side had the tools and the belief to carry the game to Cork in all areas of the field. Cork registered the first point of the game through James Masters in the first minute, his most notable contribution, but from there to half-time, Limerick dominated. The fact that Sean Kiely, the Limerick goalkeeper, only kicked out the ball three times offers a reliable indication of their dominance.
Stephen Kelly, though named at full-forward, was roaming out the field winning a couple of breaks and carrying the ball into dangerous areas. It was also very noticeable from the early stages when he kicked his first of four points from play, that Ian Ryan was going to have a big influence on the game. In addition, Seanie Buckley at wing-forward was causing endless problems for Cork, scoring three good points from play.
The one tactic that was working well for Cork in the first half – indeed it kept them in the game – was the short kick-out to Nicholas Murphy, four of which found their target. This gave Cork badly-needed possession and it also had the effect of reducing the influence of Limerick’s talisman John Galvin, who was on the other side of the field marking Alan O’Connor. However, in the 28th minute, a great opportunity of a goal was missed by Stephen Lavin after a great run – a let off for Cork that Limerick would rue.
If Limerick were dominant in the first half Cork powered into the game in the second winning the first four Limerick kick-outs, hoovering up breaks through Donnacha O’Connor, Paddy Kelly (twice) and Daniel Goulding, but they wasted their graft by hitting a number of bad wides.
Their dominance in the second period was finally reflected on the scoreboard when Goulding, who was now giving Shane Gallagher a torrid time, crashed the ball to the net following good work by Colm O’Neill, introduced as a substitute for James Masters. Goulding followed his goal with another pointed effort before Shane O Riordan was switched onto him. At that stage Goulding had scored 1-3 out of Cork’s 2-4 and created the penalty, giving his team the initiative for the first time – Limerick’s defensive reshuffle was more than a little late.
When Limerick’s need was greatest, they went to Galvin, their most consistent source of inspiration in times of need, and he responded with three great clean catches from their kick-outs to drive them forward in search of scores. However when the chances came it was a case of the wrong man in the right place as Paudie Browne, a natural defender, spurned a number of good opportunities.
Cork will be happy to have won another Munster-final but will know that a major improvement is required going forward if they are to be All-Ireland contenders. In my time as manager of Limerick, the players worked very hard to overcome history but failed and unfortunately for many of them it was a case of déjà vu yesterday.
They are deserving of a Munster medal but as the players are realising, you don’t always get what you deserve in this life.
