Patrick Kelly: Cork saunter by Limerick but questions linger before Kerry clash

Cork made light work of a 14-man Limerick in a game that offered few thrills but plenty for John Cleary’s side to quietly take confidence from.

On a day when not many of Cork's charges played above themselves, Brian O'Driscoll was a notable exceptiom. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Not a lot to get excited about in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening for the two-thousand or so supporters in attendance as Cork had the game wrapped up by half-time. The red card to Limerick’s Seán Clancy in the 25th minute and the subsequent ten-minute Cork hot streak left little jeopardy in a forgettable second half.

The big picture for Cork is there are plenty of positives: a clean sheet, starting championship experience for Neil Lordan, Seán Brady and Seán McDonnell, minutes for the returning Seán Powter and Maurice Shanley off the bench and most importantly no new injury concerns ahead of the challenge of Kerry in a fortnight. Individually not many Cork players played above themselves; they didn’t have to. Brian O’Driscoll being the noticeable exception with another excellent display of long rang shooting registering two two-pointers and two one-pointers.