Cork hurling talking points after Rebels ended Limerick's reign in Munster

Last season, Cork ended Limerick’s ‘drive for five’. But they couldn’t capitalise. Another season, Rebels empty-handed.

Now, they’ve stopped Limerick again. This time denying John Kiely’s men a seventh consecutive Munster title.

And what a way to do it. At the Gaelic Grounds, in a penalty shootout in front of the Cork crowd. Limerick’s first final defeat after 14 straight wins.

AFTER ALL… 

It’s been a long time coming. Last year was an incredible run. But Cork ended it with nothing to show for their efforts.

The belief from the Rebel faithful coming into this season was high. They built on that by winning the league title. Step one of three. A step that gave birth to the narrative that Limerick weren’t the force they once were, given their failure to capture the All-Ireland the year previous. A narrative that Limerick’s golden era was over.

Then came the Munster championship. Cork and Limerick dubbed the potential trilogy. Round one suggested anything but a trilogy. The Shannonsiders dominated a Cork side that were completely off the pace.

But round two was much closer. It had to be. Cork could do no worse. Limerick couldn’t repeat that incredible showing, could they?

At the beginning of extra time, with the men in green waiting for the return of their opponents, Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds played out on the speakers for the 43,580 in attendance at the Gaelic Grounds.

As John Kiely had said early in the week leading up to the game, “that narrative [that Limerick were written off] has been debunked now.” 

But the narrative that Cork couldn’t do it, not in the Gaelic Grounds – that narrative had also been debunked. They’d gone toe-to-toe with Limerick all the way. 

With and against the strong breeze. Man to man, they were there.

Extra time was very much the same. As expected. Toe-to-toe. In the end, nothing could separate the teams. It would be decided on penalties.

The psychological elements of a shootout would settle this one. And Cork prevailed, 3-2. Not only that, But they had come back from 2-0 down.

Composure. Conviction. Step two out of three.

Ba-la-la-ba-da-ba-ba-ba….

SUBSTITUTES 

It’s impossible to single out any one who didn’t play well. Each man put in a stellar shift. Everyone played their part.

But what really kept Cork with Limerick was the impact the substitutes had on the game. They were absolutely exceptional.

Shane Kingston came on and bagged three from play. Converting his penalty to go with that. Conor Lehane too – outstanding in and out of possession and finished his penalty strike with prowess. And he had two points from play.

Then you’ve Tommy O’Connell – a brilliant point and an outstanding shift both in midfield and in the half-back line. Robbie O’Flynn put Limerick under serious pressure at the end of regular time.

Robert Downey was immense too. Not fit enough to start – but played at 100% of his ability for the entire 50 minutes he was on the pitch.

MARGINS 

There was quite literally nothing between the teams. Hence the need for a shootout to decide it after extra time.

Cork’s first-half wides were costly. Limerick’s in extra time were as bad, if not worse. Goals didn’t play as great a part as many would have expected. The difference between these two teams remains ever so slight.

It’s very likely that the completion of step three could require the completion of the trilogy. It would be fitting. Tied at 1-1, winner takes all. But for Cork, the need to complete step three has never been greater.

Cork are two wins away from winning a first All-Ireland title since 2005. This group of players, two wins away from etching themselves into the history books as All-Ireland winners for the blood and bandage.

You can be certain there’ll be no shortage of desire for Ryan’s men.

Bring it on.