No consolation in sight as Limerick sweep Cork aside...again

Terrific Treaty make light of the absence of talisman Cathal O'Neill but boss Mullins is the latest to blast rule

Red swarm: Cork trio Michael Mullins, Ben Cunningham and Luke Hogan surround Limerick's Cian Scully at Pairc Ui Rinn. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Munster U20 HC Limerick 1-25 Cork 1-19 

Limerick U20 hurling manager Diarmuid Mullins is the latest to hit out at the rule preventing U20 players from lining out at their own grade, with the Treaty boss criticising the lack of logic behind the rule and how it is punishing talented youngsters.

Limerick, despite being without talisman Cathal O’Neill because of his senior championship cameo at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, made relatively light work of Cork in this Munster U20 championship Group 1 top-of-the-table clash.

Both sides entered yesterday's game certain of semi-final involvement, but Limerick’s success in coming out on top, with what was a much-improved display on their smash and grab win over Clare in Round 1, means they will enjoy semi-final home advantage against Waterford next Wednesday, whereas Cork must travel to Thurles to face Tipperary.

After the game, Limerick manager Mullins gave his take on the rule that meant he could not call on Cathal O’Neill for this game, or indeed any U20 championship fixture for the rest of the season.

“I am yet to really understand the logic behind the rule. It was brilliant to see Cathal with the seniors on Sunday, but John Kiely made a good point after that game in that we can manage the workload of these players,” Mullins remarked.

“I think we make rules in the GAA, maybe with the best of intentions, but I don’t know do we take the views of the affected players into consideration. Cathal just wants to play with his peers and with his friends and enjoy playing at that age grade. I hope the rule is revisited.” Mullins also called on the GPA to come out and give their position on the rule.

“These are the nitty-gritty issues you’d imagine an organisation that is concerned with player welfare would be looking at.” O’Neill’s 2-3 was imperative to getting Limerick over the line in their Round 1 win over Clare, but they certainly didn’t feel his absence yesterday evening as 10 players combined to hit 1-18 from play.

Limerick senior panellist Colin Coughlan was dominant on the left flank of defence, clipping three first half points from play. Both midfielders, Jimmy Quilty and Joe Sweeney, found the target from play, as did all six starting forwards and sub John Kirby.

Ahead by 0-16 to 0-10 at the break, the basis for Limerick’s six-point interval lead and, indeed, their victory on the night was the seven-in-a-row reeled off between the 16th and 26th minute and four unanswered injury-time points.

With Cork having been the better side in the opening quarter, at the end of which they led 0-7 to 0-5, the hosts will be very disappointed at how their challenge fell off from there to the break and being outscored 0-11 to 0-3 in the process.

Four points was as close as they came of the visitors in the second half and even when Jack Cahalane whipped home a fine goal on 35 minutes, Sweeney and Aidan O’Connor quickly responded with back-to-back points. Limerick went back out to seven in front following Donnacha Ó Dalaigh’s 48th minute rebound goal.

For Cork, bar their strong finish against Clare first day out, they have hurled below par across the group phase. Midfielder Brian O’Sullivan, the same as in Sixmilebridge, again stood out, shooting four from play, but too few further up carried the same scoring threat.

All told, it has been a tough few days for Cork hurling teams at the hands of Limerick opposition.

Scorers for Limerick: A O’Connor (0-9, 0-7 frees); C Coughlan (0-4, 0-1 free); D Ó Dalaigh (1-1); E Stokes, S O’Brien, J Sweeney, J Kirby (0-2 each); A English, J Quilty, P Kirby (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: B Cunningham (0-10, 0-7 frees); B O’Sullivan (0-4); J Cahalane (1-0); C Smyth, L Horgan, B Keating, E O’Leary, D Hogan (0-1 each).

Limerick: C Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock); C Thomas (Doon), F O’Connor (Effin), E O’Leary (Ahane); C Scully (Dromin Athlacca Banogue), E Hurley (Newcastle West), C Coughlan (Ballybrown); J Quilty (Blackrock), J Sweeney (Adare); A English (Doon), A O'Connor (Ballybrown), E Stokes (Doon); S O’Brien (Kilmallock), P Kirby (Patrickswell), D Ó Dalaigh (Monaleen).

Subs: P Finn (Bruff) for O’Leary (25-27, temporary); J Kirby (Patrickswell) for Sweeney (40); P O’Donovan (Effin) for English (50); B O’Meary (Mungret St Paul’s) for Ó Dalaigh (53); P Reale (Knockainey) for Stokes (57); B Duff (Mungret St Paul’s) for Scully (64).

Cork: B Saunderson (Midleton); D O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig), K Lyons (Ballygarvan), C Smyth (Midleton); E Downey (Glen Rovers), E Twomey (St Finbarr's), L Horgan (Glen Rovers); B O’Sullivan (Kanturk), M Mullins (Whitechurch); D McSweeney (Blarney), B Cunningham (St Finbarr’s), B Keating (Ballincollig); E O’Leary (Glen Rovers), J Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), D Healy (Lisgoold).

Subs: D Hogan (Sarsfields) for Mullins, C Walsh (Kanturk) for McSweeney (both HT); C McCarthy (Sarsfields) for Lyons (39); S Walsh (Carrigtwohill) for Healy (45); J Leahy (Dungourney) for O’Leary (55).

Referee: M Kennedy (Tipperary).