Christy O'Connor: Cork find new way to crack Limerick's defiant half-back wall

When Cork beat Limerick twice last year, their long puckout was the platform for those victories. They had to find another way on Saturday. 

It took Shane Barrett a while to get into the game against Limerick in the Munster SHC final but when he did, the forward finished the first half with 1-3 from four shots. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

After winning the toss on Saturday evening and electing to play with the breeze, which enabled Patrick Collins to pump his puckouts down on top of Brian Hayes, there were stages in the first half when Collins looked like he was hitting the ball up against a brick wall constructed by Kyle Hayes.

Hayes won four Cork puckouts in the first quarter. He looked like he was going to dominate the match on his own. Hayes’ direct opponent Shane Barrett had to wait until the 15th minute for his first possession but Barrett gradually began to get a foothold in the game and ended the half with 1-3 from four shots, as well as having an assist.