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Cork struggle to impress as Limerick challenge fades in extra-time

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIER ROUND FOUR Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-16: AGAIN LIMERICK were forced to be the bridesmaids as Cork progressed…

Mon Jul 26 2010 - 01:00

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIER ROUND FOUR Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-16:AGAIN LIMERICK were forced to be the bridesmaids as Cork progressed gingerly to the quarter-finals after extra-time at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.

Cork looked home and dry as the 70th minute was reached at the end of a contest that was close and exciting but the standard was poor. Referee Pádraig Hughes flashed a plethora of yellow cards, and in the last second of extra-time Limerick’s outstanding wing back Stephen Lavin picked up a second yellow.

With time almost up in normal time Cork were four points in front and supporters from both sides were leaving the stadium, but Limerick somehow hauled themselves into extra-time.

A minute into added time James Ryan lofted in a high ball which was grabbed by Limerick’s John Galvin and he was fouled as he tried to find a way past Alan O’Connor. Ger Collins shot low to goalkeeper Alan Quirke’s right and when the latter failed to find one of his own players from the kick-out the ball was seized by Limerick substitute Conor Fitzgerald who calmly slotted over the point that took the game in to extra-time.

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Cork manager Conor Counihan obviously told his players the first score was vital on the resumption. “I have always maintained the first point in extra-time is crucial because in many respects it equates with two scores. Time is so short to pull back scores,” he said.

But he and Limerick’s Mickey Ned O’Sullivan were surprised when each side missed easy chances before substitute Donncha O’Connor pointed after Galvin lost possession, and O’Connor had his second to wrap it up for the Rebels.

Counihan was full of praise for his players. “They showed great heart, commitment and dedication out there. I thought we had the game won when we led by those four points as the clock ticked down.”

Limerick’s Mickey Ned O’Sullivan was furious that his side had been denied what he said was a “blatant” penalty after six minutes. “Despite the decisions going against us we could still have pulled it off.”

Cork won, essentially, because they had better players to call off the bench at crucial times and never panicked.

Limerick moved into a three-point lead inside 13 minutes with points by Ger Collins, two from play and the other a free. Then came the legitimate claims for a penalty. As Limerick dominated, Seánie Buckley left the Cork defence for dead but in a one on one with Quirke the Limerickman’s shot thundered off the crossbar and was cleared.

Limerick were again denied by the post a few minutes later and it was 14 minutes before Derek Kavanagh, a late call-up to the side with Noel O’Leary and Paul Kerrigan, had Cork’s first points. Daniel Goulding pointed a free but Stephen Lavin made a great catch, raced forward, and landed a brilliant point.

Limerick keeper Brian Scanlon then did brilliantly to deflect an effort from Colm O’Neill over, and by half-time Limerick found themselves sharing 10 points.

A minute into the second half Aidan Walsh pointed to edge Cork in front for the first time but they were level again at 0-7 after 40 minutes. Cork had five unanswered points in a 23-minute spell and while Limerick pulled one back they looked destined for defeat until the late, late drama.

CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, J O'Sullivan; N O'Leary, G Canty, P Kissane; D Kavanagh (0-1), A Walsh, (0-1); P Kerrigan, P O'Neill, P Kelly (0-2); D Goulding, (0-6, four frees), C Sheehan (0-1), C O'Neill (0-2). Subs: N Murphy for A Walsh (48 mins), D O'Connor (0-2, one free)for Kerrigan (48 mins), A O'Connor (0-1)for Kavanagh (58 mins), F Goold for Kelly (70 mins), Kelly for Goold (start of extra-time), E Cotter for Shields (75 mins), P Kerrigan for Sheehan (87 mins), F Goold for A O'Connor (90 mins).

Yellow cards: D O'Connor, Murphy, Walsh, Goulding, O'Leary, Canty.

LIMERICK: B Scanlon (0-1, free); M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, A Lane; S Lavin (0-2), S Lucey, P Ranahan; J O'Donovan, J Galvin; P Browne, J Ryan (0-1), S Buckley; G Collins (1-4, one pen, three frees), I Ryan, (0-1), S Kelly (0-1). Subs: C Mullane for O'Riordan (41 mins), E Joy for Browne (41 mins), C Fitzgerald (0-1)for S Buckley (52 mins), S Gallagher for S Lucey (62 mins), E O'Connor for I Ryan (66 mins), P Browne for P Ranahan (start of extra-time), S Buckley for Joy (74 mins), J Mullane for Collins (84 mins).

Yellow cards: C Mullane, C Fitzgerald, M O'Riordan, P Browne, S Lavin. Red card: S Lavin 89th minute

Referee: P Hughes(Armagh).