Scoreline flatters Cork

A generally erratic Cork display was over-generously rewarded with a 16-points winning margin over a promising Limerick team in the first of the Munster semi-finals on a dank Saturday evening at Pairc Ui Rinn.

Cork would do well to take this undeserved margin of victory with a grain of salt and when Larry Tompkins re-assembles his squad on the training ground this week to ready them for next month's provincial decider against Kerry, he will be addressing the quality of the his team's performance rather than gloating over a scoreline that gives a distorted view of a match that saw standards sabotaged by slippery conditions.

Limerick may not have expected so much possession, while Cork would not have anticipated the pressure they were subjected to for three-quarters of the game. Only three points separated the teams at the interval, Cork leading 2-2 to 1-2.

After the re-start Limerick's young challengers found things starting to come unstuck. In the seventh minute, Limerick's Noel Mulvihill got a golden chance to put the skids under Cork, but he dismally failed to slot the ball into an empty net from a Michael Reidy cross. Mulvihill's miscued attempt with his side four points adrift left Limerick supporters shell-shocked. Michael O'Doherty's point within seconds to reduce arrears to three points was poor compensation for a side desperately in need of a tangible boost.

But in the pursuing minute worse was to follow for Limerick at the other end. This came in the form of a morale-crushing Joe Kavanagh goal that was brilliantly executed if downright lucky in its initial build up.

Limerick full back Diarmuid Sheehy tried to set up an attack from the back but his wayward pass was smartly intercepted by the vigilant Kavanagh, who raced away, toe to hand, before unleashing a left-footed searing shot into the roof of the Limerick net.

It wasn't a night for solo running but, for once, Kavanagh gave the lie to the notion on the skating-rink conditions. Earlier the Cork attack leader had been as culpable as any of his colleagues in contributing to Cork's nine wides.

Limerick manager Paddy Mulvihill was justified in saying after the match: "Had we got that goal early in the second half, I think it would have been a different game. We made Cork realise that we could be a difficult force for them and we did this by half-time".

Larry Tompkins agreed: "They put us under a lot of pressure. We did not play well as a result. There were a lot of cobwebs out there tonight. We will have to improve if we are to go any further. The players knew at half-time that they had not played well".

Limerick's scoring rate, enhanced by a goal off a penalty by Michael Reidy and two pointed frees, spluttered before finally cutting out with 10 minutes remaining. From this stage onwards, Cork notched the surplus scores that gave them a flattering result.

Limerick's problems with finding the Cork net continued even into injury-time.

For most of the match, Cork forwards promised more than they were able to produce. A re-shuffled Limerick defence, with Tom McGarry at centre back in a switch with perhaps the most accomplished player on the field in midfielder John Quane, did surprisingly well.

Jason Stokes McGarry and converted wing back Martin Dineen were sufficiently stubborn to cause problems for Kavanagh and company even though the Cork attack did not need any help to mess up its own chances.

The true star defenders on the day were Ronan McCarthy and Sean Og O hAilpin in the Cork full-back line. This duo repeatedly set up good opportunities and the roaming Mark O'Sullivan, in the right corner of the winners' attack, made a few inspiring runs, and Padraig O'Mahony proved top scorer with 1-9, five points off frees.

Cork's two first-half goals came within three minutes of each other for a 2-1 to 0-2 lead on the 15th minute. Both scores were the result of moves which Cork may have been expected to produce at will. But Michael Reidy's goal from a penalty after Cork goalkeeper Kevin O'Dwyer fouled, was a reminder to Cork that there was going to be no early rout.

Paddy Mulvihill said that he was encouraged to see his young team respond to their task so well and for so long in the match. John Quane, the most experienced and longestserving Limerick player, insisted that he is now more optimistic about Limerick football than ever before.