Kenny: Red card turning point

Cork wing-back Tom Kenny believes that being short one man for the second half clearly affected the Leesiders’ performance in the punishing hot conditions in yesterday’s defeat to Limerick.

“It was very warm in the first half and as the game went on and we were a man down, it was our fault that we were getting the ball to where the spare man was. But then maybe the spare man was covering well.

“It was energy sapping and we just couldn’t seem to get beyond them. It proved the difference and they were coming out winning good ball in the second half, bringing it downfield and they got some good scores towards the end of the second half.”

Kenny felt Horgan’s sending off “contributed to the final result”.

“My initial thought was that the ball hit the helmet but I wasn’t sure then with the sun. The players said that Pa didn’t touch him so it was probably the wrong decision on the ref’s part.

“I know we were down to 14 men but Limerick finished a lot stronger than us. If we had 15, maybe we would have finished out the game stronger, and as winners too. Obviously it contributed to the final result. We will have to look at our own failings and try and move on from there.”

Kenny said he had sought out John Allen, who managed Kenny and the 2005 Cork team to the All-Ireland title, at the final whistle.

“I made a point of going over and shaking his hand. He is in charge of Limerick and he is doing a fine job. They are in an All-Ireland semi-final now and they won’t be far away from getting into a final or even being the ultimate winners.

“They are up there now as serious contenders and John deserves a lot of credit for that.”

Cork must get themselves ready for Kilkenny next.

“They are after a couple of games as well and we would like to think the Munster final will bring our lads on,” said Kenny.

“It is going to be a tremendous battle in Thurles and we will just have to knuckle down during the week again in training and focus on Kilkenny.”