Bench and extra man make a major mark for Treaty
It was level at half-time, but it was advantage Limerick. In the dying seconds of the first half, Limerick wing-back Paudie O’Brien went down injured as he contested a high ball. Referee James McGrath whistled for a free for Limerick and then turned to Cork’s Pat Horgan who had come in from behind. He showed a red card to the Cork corner-forward, who had been influential up to then.
From the stand it was difficult to make out if the red card was justified, but, having looked at the incident on television at half-time, it was clear Horgan had made contact with O’Brien’s helmet as the ball dropped and struck the wing-back on the head.
Some referees might have shown yellow but, according to the rules, striking with the hurley with minimum force and with no intent still carries the sanction of a red card.
Referees are often criticised for their decisions or for being indecisive. McGrath acted immediately and interpreted the rule as it is stated. The problem of course is that similar incidents aren’t always penalised with red. No one in the crowd would have objected if it was yellow, as the game was played in a very sporting manner.
It was a big turning point and obviously affected Cork’s performance in the second half.
Cork were well organised in that first half and, after weathering the early storm, they had the better of proceedings.
Christopher Joyce was employed at midfield and did well in a man-marking role on Limerick’s captain Donal O’Grady. Seamus Harnedy lined out at full-forward as Cork continuously played high ball into the full-forward line. The Limerick full-back line looked uncomfortable under the high ball and Nicky Quaid, spilled a high delivery under pressure from Harnedy. A goal at that stage could have provided a major impetus for the Rebels as the Cork defence was coping comfortably with Limerick’s forwards.
Shane O’Neill won his battle with the dangerous Declan Hannon, dispossessing him expertly a number of times as he bore down on goal.
But they left the Treaty off the hook by shooting ten wides in this half. Limerick shot five, three as the half drew to a close. But on the balance of play, taking into account two half chances for goals, Cork manager Jimmy Barry Murphy would have been disappointed they hadn’t a three point lead at least at the break.
Limerick had made a lot of mistakes from midfield up in the first half and for the second half, with the cushion of an extra man in defence, they played their two corner-forwards out deep, with their half forward line lying deeper operating in midfield.
Seamus Hickey, although picked at left half-forward, rarely played his position and worked hard across midfield.
Declan Hannon played up front in a central role and once the Limerick defence, on top for the second half, gained possession they were able to stretch the Cork defence.
Limerick found scores easier to come by, with James Ryan hitting over two beauties. Cork had restructured their attack after the break by moving Harnedy, who had troubled full-back Richie McCarthy in the first half, to wing-forward. Jamie Coughlan played in the right corner, having replaced Cian McCarthy.
The Rebels needed to keep it tight and tear into Limerick in the second half, making it more difficult for the Treaty to get on the ball as they had done late in the first period.
They abandoned their policy of the short puckouts, which had worked well in the first half. Cork may have been better served to continue with this tactic as it allowed Limerick dictate the pace of the play.
Landing most puckouts on top of their half forward line, looking for Pa Cronin, played into Limerick’s hands. Once the ball broke Limerick had the extra man to carry the ball forward, with lots of space opening up in front.
As the half wore on Cork coughed up scores, with errors now apparent in their defence. To Cork’s credit, they stayed in touch. With ten minutes left they were only two points behind with captain Cronin impressing at centre-forward.
However, Cork weren’t to score again as they relied on high ball to the inside forwards. These deliveries weren’t accurate enough to cause problems as a lot were snuffed out by the extra man.
A goal was needed but never looked like coming. An inspirational point by Hannon from a sideline cut stretched the lead to four with five minutes left.
I mentioned on Saturday that introductions from the bench could prove crucial. Limerick introduced Shane Dowling, Kevin Downes, Niall Moran and Conor Alliss up front for a combined tally of six points as Cork’s challenge faded.
Limerick scored seven points in the last ten minutes and although an exhausted Cork never gave up, they rarely threatened.
