Bennis: pride back and time to close ranks
His side, who trailed at one stage by six points, cut the deficit to one, but couldn’t land the knockout blow.
If those lessons are put into practice, Bennis predicts Limerick can win an All-Ireland title within a couple of years.
Said Bennis: “A couple of things came out of today’s game for us.
“Firstly we have to learn that when you have a team like Cork by the throat you must learn to squeeze the life out of them. We didn’t and paid the penalty.
“Secondly, we restored pride back to Limerick hurling and it’s time to close ranks now and get everyone working towards getting the county back to where it should be.
“Thirdly we’ll take some of the credit if Cork go on to win the All-Ireland because they got a huge wake-up call from us.”
He continued: “Over the 70 minutes we deserved at least a draw. No-one gave us a chance. We were written off but it suited us, and I’m not one bit surprised at how the game panned out.
“I knew we were ready for this game, and that the lads would give it one hell of a go. We had them right, had them believing they were good enough to beat Cork. What probably lost it for us was our inexperience. We had the chances to kill them off and didn’t take them, while Cork were never ruffled, even though they began to struggle around the field when we came back at them. But that comes from having confidence in your own ability plus the experience from constantly winning big games like this.”
He admitted the loss of Brian Begley was a huge body blow for the Shannonsiders.
“He shouldn’t have started as he was carrying an injury but, fair due to him, he gave it his all and I couldn’t have asked for any more from him.”
And what of Cork’s chances of landing the three-in-a-row? Said Bennis: “Had Cork beaten us by 10 or 12 points it would have been no good to them. They wouldn’t know where they stand. They know now after that game, and I would fancy them to win the three-in-a-row now.”
On the home front, Bennis was non-committal as to his plans.
“That’s for someone else to decide, but I can assure if we stay together, and the necessary commitment is forthcoming, then Limerick will win an All-Ireland with this group in a year or two. I’m convinced of that.
“In fact I was fully convinced that we would win this year’s title.
“I know their heads are down at the moment, but they can all take great personal satisfaction for the effort they made.
“They have put Limerick hurling back on the map at senior level and restored pride to the county. The backroom team which included Gary Kirby, Tony Hickey, Liam Linehan and Pat Hartigan were outstanding.
“They were only involved because of their love of hurling and deserve to win a senior All-Ireland.
“It’s going to take a massive effort but we have the talent to do so.”
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