The goals were the difference: JBM’s relief as Cork end drought
The provincial decider was deadlocked at 0-18 apiece when the central channel of Limerick’s defence inexplicably split open on 54 minutes. The momentary loss in shape allowed Harnedy an unchecked path to goal where he beat Nicky Quaid with a most venomous strike. Opportunism at its finest.
Substitute Paudie O’Sullivan grabbed goal No 2 on 64 minutes, all but ending this game as a contest.
Cork had failed to raise a single green flag 12 months ago and the Rebel boss was in no doubt the strikes of Harnedy and O’Sullivan were central in achieving redemption.
“The goals were the difference, let’s be honest about it,” he said.
“Every game is different, some days chances come for you. Today the chances came at the right times and the finishes were worthy of the occasion.
“Limerick had one or two half-chances and we were always hoping we’d get a goal for a cushion. Seamie had had one or two misses and was down a bit in confidence, but he got a great goal. Paudie’s goal was a masterclass in fairness. He’s been through a torrid 18 months.”
Crucial too was the clean sheet kept by Anthony Nash at the other end.
“They had one or two half-chances and Mark Ellis got in a vital touch to deny Paul Browne. Shane O’Neill also had a vital block in the first period. Limerick are a battle-hardened outfit. They came down here to have a right go and they did.”
Whatever about ending the county’s eight-year drought at provincial level, Barry-Murphy stressed the importance of yesterday’s victory in simply putting a piece of silverware on the shelf. Cork had played in three final matches last year, failing to emerge victorious in a single one. Confidence in the group had taken a hammering. The players needed to see their work rewarded.
“Needing silverware and getting it are two different things. Lots of counties want to win things, we do too, but it’s fair to say the finals we lost last year were bitter pills. Those were hard to take for the group and right through the national league there was a bit of a hangover. Since then the lads have done great. Since the Waterford draw the lads have upped the ante.
“Last year was hard on the players because at the end of the day you’ve won nothing. That is the way we looked at it. I’m delighted for the players and their families. It was tough for them losing those finals so it’s great for them to have silverware. We’re looking forward now to the All-Ireland semi-final.”
Cork headed down the tunnel at half-time yesterday fortunate to be on level terms (0-13 apiece). Put simply, theirs had been a less than complete first-half showing.
“We started slowly, but there was more of a wind there than people in the stand probably realised. We were reasonably happy to go in level at half-time. We hadn’t played well and then we had the wind behind us. But it took us a while to get into our stride. We had some terrible wides but overall the lads stuck great to their task.
“The instructions at half-time were to get the ball in quicker to the inside line. We were a bit deliberate in our play and it suits our style of play to get the ball in quicker to them. I was hopeful we could up the ante. I didn’t think we were playing particularly well. You were always hopeful the players who you need to get you the crucial scores were there. They really came alive.
“The team in general worked very hard and it has been a team effort — it’s a cliché but we think we have good subs. William Egan and Stephen Moylan came in and did well.
“Anthony Nash’s puck-outs in the second half meant Limerick weren’t able to attack as much as they did last year from their half-back line. And our forwards were flashing onto breaking ball for the last 20 minutes, they were brilliant at that.”
He added: “In hindsight the three games were crucial. We didn’t want to do it that way but the pace of training and the players’ work-rate that gave us a wake-up call. The way we were playing wasn’t good enough to be competitive.”
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