All-Ireland Senior Hurling final: Cork 1-22 Limerick 3-32
SCANDALOUS. Absolutely scandalous. There is no other word to describe the dizzy heights the Limerick hurlers reached in claiming back-to-back All-Ireland titles for the first time in their history at Croke Park yesterday.
It may only be the county’s 10th All-Ireland crown but it’s their third in four years – and judging by yesterday’s systematic beating of provincial neighbours Cork, there are almost certainly a few more titles awaiting John Kiely’s men many of whom are already legends of the game.
Yesterday’s All-Ireland final performance from Limerick was the stuff of dreams. It was as complete a performance as you’ll ever wish to see.
It was one of those rare days where theory and practice collide beautifully somewhere in hurling’s utopian blue skies.
After winning their third straight Munster title last month, nobody blinked an eyelid when respected hurling analysts Jackie Tyrell and Anthony Daly described Limerick’s second half display against hapless provincial finalists Tipperary as the best there’s ever been.
Well, yesterday’s first half performance against hapless Cork was another upgrade on that wonderful comeback against Tipp on July 18.
These Limerick hurlers, managed supremely by Kiely, are an awesome machine – the kind of which nobody can live with.
Elite hurling could well be in the throes of a similar narrative to football where Dublin ruled the roost for six incredible years.
And, just like the Dublin footballers, it might be a case of simply waiting around until Limerick go soft and flabby around their midriff before the Liam MacCarthy Cup finds a new home.
Buoyed by the All-Ireland victories of their U20 footballers and minor hurlers, Cork's senior hurlers arrived at Croke Park yesterday with hope in their hearts, a flying forward line and a swagger restored to their gait ever since they out-lasted Kilkenny in a pulsating semi-final a couple of weeks ago.
Ending their 16-year wait for the MacCarthy Cup, though, was always a long shot for Kieran Kingston’s Rebels.
A firm consensus was reached before yesterday’s painfully one-sided final: if Limerick turn up, it’s Limerick’s to lose.
Limerick turned up on the biggest occasion of the year and produced their best display of their collective careers.
Nobody creates a Championship whirlwind quite like Limerick. In the opening seconds of yesterday’s all-Munster showdown, the defending champions conjured the kind of intensity that opposition teams didn’t know existed.
As soon as man-of-the-match Cian Lynch fired over in the opening seconds, Cork didn’t know what had hit them.
In the opening 20 minutes of their All-Ireland semi-final, Waterford met Limerick head on and surrounded their defenders with three men at a time. It was a remarkable feat of human nature.
The only snag was that there was no way Waterford could sustain that kind of intensity for 70-plus minutes never mind a half of a game.
Limerick met fire with fire that day and let their hurling take over and duly eased into this year’s All-Ireland decider.
Yesterday, from midfield up, Limerick harassed the Cork backs in a way that you’d rarely see.
Each time a blood-red jersey of Cork wanted to break Limerick’s high defensive lines, it was akin to running through a ring of fire to get free.
It is absolutely true this great Limerick team has some magical hurlers - Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty and Aaron Gillane among them – but each of them back up that God-given talent with a ferocious work-rate.
Each fumble in the early stages of yesterday's All-Ireland final proved a traumatic event for the Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins and their backs.
And yet, even under super-human pressure from Limerick, the underdogs tried to stay true to their trusted process of working the ball out from the back and getting their flying forwards on the ball.
For the first five minutes of this final, the 40,000 crowd thought they were in for a modern-day classic.
As soon as Gearoid Hegarty peeled off the Cusack Stand side in the third minute and thundered in a low drive that beat Patrick Collins all ends up, Cork replied immediately with a goal of their own.
Some slick passing between Eoin Cadogan, Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon liberated semi-final hero Shane Kingston down the Hogan Stand side.
The manager’s son burned up the grass in front of him and from a tight angle he found the top corner of Nickie Quaid’s net that levelled things up 1-1 apiece after just four minutes.
It was the kind of finish players dream about.
Cork, it seemed, were up for the fight. But what unfolded was a hellish nightmare for Kingston’s men.
Limerick rolled forward imperiously, winning umpteen turnovers along their half-back line and sent umpteen astute passes into the full-forward trio of Gillane, Peter Casey and Seamus Flanagan.
To watch Gillane, Casey and Flanagan rotate from seven floors up in Croke Park yesterday was a sight to behold.
Cork’s full-back line of Niall O’Leary, Robert Downey and Sean O’Donoghue justifiably earned rave reviews for their mammoth efforts against Kilkenny – but they were torn to shreds by their opposite numbers yesterday.
As early as the 14th minute the Cork faithful could see the writing on the wall for their brave charges.
Faced with a two-versus-two scenario – Flanagan and Gillane versus Downey and O’Donoghue – the Limerick duo’s movement was fantastic.
Flanagan pulled out towards the Hogan Stand side, collected a diagonal pass and fired it into the hand of Gillane who stayed in a central position.
Downey and O’Donoghue were completely flummoxed and Gillane hammered the ball past Patrick Collins in the Cork goal.
Limerick’s second major of the afternoon put them 2-5 to 1-4 ahead. More misery awaited Cork.
Before the half-time interval, Peter Casey had bagged five points from play and tied O’Leary in knots.
The Na Piarsaigh corner-forward was already in the running for man-of-the-match with Cian Lynch and Gillane until injury ended his day.
But by that stage, Casey’s work was done, and Hegarty had thumped home a third Limerick goal in first-half stoppage-time.
Cork were well and truly blown away.
Limerick had produced 35 minutes of perfect hurling, fashioning an unassailable 3-18 to 1-11 interval lead, with Pa Horgan and Seamus Harnedy offering what resistance was left in Cork’s limbs.
Tactically, Cork didn’t help themselves. Their midfielders could have dropped deeper to cut out some of the bombs landing on top of their under siege full-back line – but it would be churlish to labour the point.
Limerick were just too sharp, too intense and too good for Cork. Had the Rebels dropped an insurance policy in front of Gillane, Casey and Flanagan, Limerick’s wing-backs would have strolled forward and picked their opponents off.
No matter what Cork would have done, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.
Cian Lynch only nabbed one first-half point but he was behind so many of Limerick’s scores when this final was a contest in the opening half.
Cork’s heads were already down at the restart and Lynch showed them no mercy by hammering over five points.
It was exhibition stuff from the champions who outscored their rivals 0-14 to 0-11 in a second half that was more of a victory march than a contest.
If Cork were going to upset the odds, they needed Jack O’Connor and Shane Kingston to have daft days in attack. Sean Finn shut out O’Connor in the corner and Kingston roamed between corner-forward and centre-forward like a lost soul with no meaningful supply of ball.
The pair mustered a meagre 1-1 compared to the free-scoring Gillane and Casey who notched a combined 0-8 from play.
Limerick had 13 different scorers from play to Cork's nine.
Pa Horgan, top scorer in the 2021 Championship, was never likely to be a goal threat for Cork especially with two Limerick defenders for company each and every time the ball was in his vicinity.
Everywhere Cork turned there was a gang of green jerseys in front of them ready and willing to relieve them of the ball.
Everything about Limerick was pure class. It's hard to think there's been anything better than them in the history of the game.
What they did to Cork in the first half of yesterday's All-Ireland decider was merciless and brilliant.
It's as close as you'll get to perfection in hurling. Their reign could be as long as the Dublin footballers before these Limerick boys go soft and flabby.
For now, though, we should savour their insatiable pursuit of sporting excellence.
Cork: P Collins; N O’Leary (0-1), R Downey, S O’Donoghue; T O’Mahony, M Coleman (0-1), E Cadogan; D Fitzgibbon, L Meade (0-1); C Cahalane, S Harnedy (0-4), R O’Flynn; J O’Connor (0-1), P Horgan (0-12, 0-10 frees), S Kingston (1-0) Subs: D Cahalane for C Cahalane (h/t), S O’Leary-Hayes for N O’Leary (47), S Barrett (0-1) for D Fitzgibbon (47), A Cadogan (0-1) for J O’Connor (47), N Cashman for S O’Donoghue (52), D Dalton for R O’Flynn (55)
Yellow card: T O’Mahony (58)
Limerick: N Quaid, S Finn, D Morrissey, B Nash (0-1); D Byrnes (0-2, 0-1 free), D Hannon (0-2), K Hayes; W O’Donoghue, D O’Donovan (0-1), G Hegarty (2-2), C Lynch (0-6), T Morrissey (0-3), A Gillane (1-6, 0-3 frees), S Flanagan (0-1), P Casey (0-5) Subs: G Mulcahy (0-1) for P Casey (35 inj), D Reidy (0-1) for G Hegarty (62), C Coughlan for D Hannon (65 inj), B Murphy for G Mulcahy (68), P Ryan (0-1) for T Morrissey (69)
Blood substitution: C Coughlan replaced C Lynch (42-44)
Yellow cards: W O’Donoghue (57), C Lynch (58)
Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary)
Attendance: 40,000
Limerick ratings
Nickie Quaid: One of the best in the business. After Shane Kingston’s brilliant goal on four minutes, Limerick’s number one was supremely protected by his defence. Puck-outs were brilliant. 7
Sean Finn: There is none better than Limerick’s corner-back. Thrived in the challenge in shutting out Jack O’Connor. A few more All-Irelands to come for the 25-year-old Bruff clubman. 8
Dan Morrissey: Never gave Pa Horgan a sniff of Quaid’s goal. Given Horgan’s smooth technique, Morrissey was always going to concede a couple from play but even Horgan looked like a beaten man in the second half. 8
Barry Nash: Played a canny game from start to finish. Picked up a Cork man at times and at other times played the sweeper’s role. Picked off a lovely first-half score. Supreme reader of the game. 8
Diarmuid Byrnes: Took a while to get going after Kingston raced down his side of the field to ripple the Limerick net, but was untroubled by Conor Cahalane. 7.5
Declan Hannon: Seamus Harnedy had good moments on him but Hannon hit some raking passes out of the Limerick defence that cause Cork all sorts of trouble. Enjoyed his 51st minute point before limping off late on. 7.5
Kyle Hayes: In the running for player of the year and is one of those wing-backs that strikes fear in the opposition. Defended really well against O’Flynn but didn’t find his range with a few efforts. 7
Willie O’Donoghue: Few midfielders have the ferocious appetite of the Limerick midfielder for hard graft. Instigated Limerick’s unbelievable press. Does the ugly things so well. 8
Darragh O’Donovan: Took his lead from his midfield wing man and popped over a lovely first-half point. Strong display. 8
Gearoid Hegarty: You can forgive a man for hitting three bad wides in the first half when he bags two goals. Brilliantly timed run for his first major and was given the freedom of Croke Park for his second drilled finish. 8.5
STAR MAN: Cian Lynch: When he wasn’t splitting Cork’s posts in the first half he was still orchestrating everything. Must be a joy to play alongside. Just incredible imagination and spatial awareness that you can’t coach. So many of Limerick’s scores came off Lynch’s wrists before he opened up with five second half points. A gem of a hurler and must be close to nailing Player of the Year. 9.5
Tom Morrissey: Work-rate outstanding. Accuracy in his shooting. An All-Ireland final performance he can be proud of. Hit three scores and was denied a goal by Collins’ brilliant block. 8
Aaron Gillane: Didn’t get much change out of Sean O’Donoghue in the Munster semi-final but he did yesterday. Imperious display. Is there a forward with slicker movement than the Patrickswell assassin? One of the greats of our time. His drilled goal finish in the 14th minute signalled the end of Cork’s challenge. 9
Seamus Flanagan: Just the one point in this final and might have had a few more, but produced some devastating moments, none more so than his movement and pass to Gillane for Limerick’s second goal. 8
Peter Casey: The Na Piarsaigh corner-forward was in contention for man-of-the-match - hitting five smashing points and leaving Niall O’Leary a tortured soul – until injury struck. 8.5
Subs:
Graeme Mulcahy: Remembers the bad days in county colours and claimed a lovely score. 6
David Reidy: Pointed in a second-half cake-walk. 6
Conor Coughlan: Not on long enough to be rated.
Barry Murphy: Not on long enough to be rated.
Pat Ryan: Hit a late point. 5
Cork ratings
Patrick Collins: Had some jittery moments in this final but Limerick put his short puck-outs under some serious pressure and was punished a couple of times. Made a brilliant 45th minute save to deny Tom Morrissey. 6
Niall O’Leary: Stole forward to grab his mandatory point to keep the early pressure on Limerick but gave a couple of hospital passes, one of which was punished. Was left dizzy by Peter Casey. 4.5
Robert Downey: When this final was a contest, Seamus Flanagan was too cute for the Cork full-back. Struggled with the brilliant movement of the Limerick full-forward but stuck manfully to his task in the second half. 6
Sean O’Donoghue: Who’d want to face this Limerick full-forward line? Aaron Gillane was simply too hot to handle for the Cork corner-back. Badly done for Gillane’s 14th minute goal. 5
Tim O’Mahony: Didn’t fare well against the Limerick half-forward line, especially Gearoid Hegarty, and left a lot of space down his flank at times that was powerfully exploited by the defending champions. Became embroiled in an untidy exchange with Cian Lynch and was booked. 5
Mark Coleman: Caught between a rock and a hard place. Stuck to Cian Lynch like glue – and that still wasn’t close enough – and struggled to protect the centre. Schooled from start to finish by his man. 5
Eoin Cadogan: Felt the heat of Limerick’s tackling at times and saw Tom Morrissey’s influence increase as the first half unfolded. 5
Darragh Fitzgibbon: Might have dropped back a little to try and protect the Cork full-back line. Over-run by the Limerick midfield and replaced on 47 minutes. 5
Luke Meade: Made some costly errors, none more so than his bizarre flick back that led directly to Limerick’s first major of the day. Grabbed a point but it was of little consolation. 5.5
Conor Cahalane: The St Finbarr’s clubman simply couldn’t reach the heights of the All-Ireland semi-final win over Kilkenny and didn’t appear in the second half. 4
Seamus Harnedy: One of the few Cork players who kept bringing the fight to Limerick. Hit two first-half points and another in the second half, but Declan Hannon still had a big influence for Limerick. 6.5
Robbie O’Flynn: Had the onerous task of curtailing the machine-like Kyle Hayes on the flank but couldn’t repeat his wonderful display against Kilkenny. 5.5
Jack O’Connor: Limerick enjoyed a virtual shut-out of the impish Sarsfields man. Left the field with just a point to his name after 47 minutes. Better days ahead. 5
Patrick Horgan: Finished top scorer in this year’s All-Ireland series but didn’t enjoy the freedom he got in the semi-final with Dan Morrissey dominant on the edge of the square. 6.5
Shane Kingston: A wonderful run and goal finish after four minutes but that was all he could muster against different Limerick markers. 5
Subs:
Damien Cahalane: Couple of wides and struggled to get into the game. 5
Sean O’Leary-Hayes: Entered the fray for Niall O’Leary but the game was already over. 5
Shane Barrett: Hit a point. 5
Alan Cadogan: Not nearly the same impact off the bench as he had against Kilkenny. 5
Niall Cashman: Missed the target and made little impact. 4
Declan Dalton: Replaced Robbie O’Flynn but didn’t make an impression. 4
