Cork & Limerick renew rivalry on the Ennis Road
It’s hard to believe it is all of 46 years since Cork and Limerick last met in a league final. That was in Páirc Uí Chaoimh hence the reason we are heading to the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.
It’s a relatively quiet weekend otherwise with just the Under 23 Camogie Championship also down for decision.
Allianz NHL D1A Final
Cork v Limerick on Sunday in Gaelic Grounds at 4pm
“It’s a final and when you get to a final you want to win and as we are the holders, it would be nice to retain it,” said Cork manager Ben O’Connor on Sunday’s decider.
Reflecting on the league, overall Ben is very happy the way it has panned out. “Delighted really, we got the wins we wanted and got a lot of players game time which with the championship around the corner that is what you need.”
In that regard the next few weeks will test every team. “It certainly will; look at ourselves - 3 big games in the space of 4 weeks and any knock picked up could rule a guy out for a couple of games so that’s why it’s important to see how lads will cope.”
When the sides met in the group phase, a much changed Cork team gave a very good account of themselves and that also pleased Ben. “Apart from a period in the 2nd half when they got 2-5, we could have folded but we didn’t and kept at it to the end and that is all you are looking for.”
On the injury front with the exception of Diarmuid Healy everyone else is fit and raring to go. “Duds is still injured and will miss out on Sunday the target now is to get him ready for the championship. He might miss the Tipperary game but should be okay after that.”
Ben has no concerns about the game coming two weeks before the championship opener against Tipperary on 19 April.
“Not at all, it’s ideal. A good competitive game is far better than going off looking for a challenge match.”
Limerick have been very impressive in all their games to date, the only blot was a surprise defeat to Waterford, but captain Cian Lynch is really looking forward to Sunday. “Ah sure you would have to be and with the final being in Limerick it should make for a great occasion.”
Not having won anything last year, for the first time in a good few seasons, what’s different about Limerick this year? “Not a lot really. We had a look at a few things from 2025 and just working hard and new lads in the squad that just drives everyone on.”
The Limerick captain rates Cork. “Very good team and we have had some great battles with them recently and I am sure Sunday will be no different.”
The league has been a bit different for Mark Coleman. He picked up a knock in the Tipperary game and then sat out the next 3 matches before returning for the meeting with Offaly.
“Frustrating is the best way to describe it, you're back after the club season is over and looking forward to the weeks and months ahead and then you pick up an injury and you’re watching on instead of playing.”
“It was just a strain but the medical team were great and managed it well and I got back and delighted to be playing again.”
The Offaly game was a strange one as Mark explains.
“Funny feel about it but look we settled down and did what we had to do and now we can look forward to Sunday.”
It is great to be getting ready for another final having played in 3 last year. “Oh it is; the league is very competitive and it’s ideal preparation for the championship but we won it last year and while we know we have a very tough game ahead of us, it’s where you want to be at this time of the season.”
There’s a healthy rivalry between the teams: “A bit yeah but sure that’s the way it is when you meet so often.”
It is the 3rd meeting of the sides this year, Limerick have won the previous two and will be determined to make it 3 from 3 ahead of their visit to the Páirc for the championship in a month’s time.
Limerick also have a bye in the 1st round of the championship and this will be their last competitive outing before they play Cork, so John Kiely has made no secret that the league was a target this year.
Look at the teams he has selected for all of their games - the regulars were usually played.
Nickie Quaid, Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane, Cathal O’Neill, Adam English and Gearoid Hegarty have all featured and expect a similar line up on Sunday.
Ben went with the full deck for the Offaly game and the starting 15 might not differ much for this one.
The number 3 jersey would appear to be up for debate. Daire O’Leary wore it for the majority of games but Ciarán Joyce had it last time out.
Equally with Barry Walsh playing under 20 last night (Wednesday), will he get the nod to start again? The fact that the U20s have no game next week might see him included.
The Downeys Eoin and Rob along with Sean O’Donoghue and Niall O’Leary appear to be nailed on, while Tommy O’Connell looks set to partner Tim O’Mahoney in midfield with team captain Darragh Fitzgibbon in the half-forward line.
Brian Hayes, Alan Connolly and Shane Barrett will be in their usual slots, who joins them will be interesting.
It has the makings of another cracking encounter and on form and with home advantage, Limerick will start as favourites, hard to argue with that, but Cork will relish that challenge and having won there before are well capable of doing so again.
One other aspect about the game is that for the 1st time, the rules passed at Congress will come into play, the most intriguing one relates to dissent on and off the field.
Such an offence will now see the referee empowered to bring the ball forward by 30 metres, it could make a difference so discipline will be key.
Once again the demand for tickets is phenomenal a point Ben touched on. “The support we are getting is incredible nearly 20,000 for the Offaly game and the players and all of us really appreciate that and I know they will be out in force again on Sunday.”
Cork are bidding for a 16th league title and the first back to back since 1979/80, it would be a timely boost ahead of the championship if they could do it.
The match is live on C103 and on the Onic Player.
All-Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship
Cork v Dublin on Sunday at Castle Road at 2pm
Cork bounced back from losing the Munster Final a week before to record an impressive and important win on the road away to Galway, the perfect start to their championship campaign.
Equally Dublin got a well deserved draw with the Munster champions Tipperary and that should give them a nice boost ahead of their trip to Leeside.
Ciara Golden got the vital goal in the win over Galway and Niamh Mac Nabola, Amy Sheppard, Orlaith Cahalane and Rose Murpy all impressed in that win.
Eimear Kehoe, Kirsty Fenlon, and Niamh Roche were key players for Dublin in that game; Cork though with home advantage should make it two from two, as they bid to progress to the knockout phase.
The minors also made it to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland the win over Limerick a few weeks ago getting them there on the head to head rule.
Footballers left disappointed
A tough afternoon in HQ for John Cleary’s side last Sunday tempered by the fact that they had secured promotion to D1 for next season, but it would have been nice to round off an excellent campaign with a bit of silverware.
Meath were marginally the better team in the 2nd half, but Cork can feel very aggrieved at the performance of referee Brendan Griffin; he gave just 1 free inside the 45 metre line for the entire game and that one was for a technical offence.
I looked back at the match again, and he had his hand if the air all day playing advantage to Meath, some similar fouls on Cork players were ignored, and don’t forget the 2 poor calls for over carrying in the 1st half.
John Cleary of course was rightly baffled by the last foul when the ball should have been brought forward 50 metres, it would and should have put it within a 2 point free reach.
Cork of course made a few errors; Chris Óg Jones spurned 2 clear goal chances, while poor execution of kick-outs by Patrick Doyle saw Meath pick up 5 points, small margins in a tight game.
There are issues John said will be addressed ahead of the championship QF against Limerick in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday week. With Kerry on the opposite side of the draw, Cork will be expected to make the Munster Final and with it an interesting summer ahead in this new format for the All-Ireland series.