Pat Ryan says three-week break no excuse after Cork 'played second fiddle to Limerick'

That mouth-watering clash with Waterford in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Sunday (4pm) is a massive game to keep Cork’s championship hopes alive.

Sun, 18 May, 2025 - 19:25

Therese O’Callaghan

Pat Ryan refused to use the three week break since the Tipperary victory for Cork’s substandard performance against Limerick in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Totally outclassed by the Treaty County, they trailed by 15 points at half-time and 16 at the end. It signalled a clear declaration of Limerick’s intent for the season ahead.

“We probably played second fiddle to Limerick all day, their intensity, their work-rate was away higher than ours. That’s the way we started and just couldn’t get back into the game,” the manager said.

“We missed a couple of goal opportunities that would have given us a bit of momentum and they took theirs. But look, their energy, their work-rate was a lot higher than us and that is the disappointing thing.

“We stood off them and let them use the ball as they can. They were at a really, really good pitch, they were really up for it. They got on top of us and we just didn't fight hard enough to get back into the game.

“We are not going to be making excuses, whether it was three weeks or two weeks or whatever, we shouldn't have been at that level.

"That was really disappointing to be at that level today. But look, we have a great opportunity next week against Waterford back at home to progress in the championship.”

As it happened: Limerick hammer Cork, Tipperary defeat Waterford, Clare out

That mouth-watering clash with Waterford in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Sunday (4pm) is a massive game to keep Cork’s championship hopes alive.

“It is do-or-die championship next week, it is like the old Munster championship. Whoever wins will progress and that is our aim going forward.

"We just need to win and if we win, we'll be back in the Munster final. That will give us a chance to come back up here and probably play Limerick as well again, just to do ourselves a bit more justice.

“I suppose the one thing we learned today was that you have to be 100 percent with a couple of lads carrying niggles, but Limerick were a really good value for the win.

“We’ll have to look back and assess where we are. We're not going to throw the toys out of the pram on these things, either.

"We’ve done a lot of good things this year already, we park this result as soon as we can. There is plenty of learnings - not much good stuff - and take it into Waterford next week.”

The Cork injury list is growing with Declan Dalton forced off inside the opening 10 minutes. Captain Robert Downey was clearly in trouble and didn’t reappear for the second half. Niall O’Leary also picked up an injury around the three-quarter mark.

Ryan said they will be assessed by the medical team and see where they are for next weekend’s home tie.

“That’s what you're trying to do, win your home games. That's what we targeted and look, we're down to play Waterford in the last game to get into the Munster final, a great opportunity for both teams.”