'The Munster Final shouldn't be decided on pens - both deserved another day'
What an epic game the Munster Final was. The commitment. The intensity. Some of the scores. The use of the ball. The tackling. It had it all. One of the best Munster finals I've seen in years.
I think a big part of the reason the game was so enthralling and so good was down to ref Thomas Walsh. Sometimes referees can get very caught up in rules. I've been at Championship games with 30 or 40 frees and to me that ruins it.
Yes there were things Walsh could have easily blown for in the first half but he let it flow. There were only three frees before the break, but if there was something dangerous he pulled it.
I know the altercation at half-time might have made him blow a few more frees in the second half but in general his contribution was immense and neither side could complain. I wish a lot more refs would take that approach as hurling would be better for it.
In the first 15 minutes Tom Morrissey was outstanding. I felt he faded big-time after that, but he was causing Cork problems, getting on ball, coming from side to side and getting scoring chances.
The big thing with Cork in the first half compared to the last day was running the ball into the right spots. They didn't just get the ball and hit it. They worked it into different areas in the middle of the field to try and pull out the Limerick half-back line. Their use of the ball was fantastic.
Cork didn't just hit 80- or 100-yard balls down on top of the Limerick full-back line. They were very smart in how they used it, getting them short passes. Once they got to midfield, they either shot from distance or got the ball deep to the inside line.
That, along with their phenomenal work-rate, which was especially evident at the start of the second half with their half-forward line getting back deep on Limerick puck-outs and winning a lot of breaks, was important.
Cian Lynch's distribution was magic, especially in the first half. This guy sees passes like no other player in the game. His vision. His awareness. He is not a selfish player and I can see why John Kiely made him captain. They are all the ingredients you need to be a good leader. He was the man behind a lot of Limerick's first-half scores.
Aidan O'Conor looked to have the Cork full-back line in trouble in the first half and was unlucky not to have two or three more scores. He just needed to settle a small bit.
The big thing with Limerick was they didn't hit their full-forward line enough. Cork marked the Limerick half-forward line, which goes back deep for short ball and there was a mountain of space from the 65 back to the Cork full-back line.
When Limerick got that ball in fast, it looked like trouble for Cork. There were two or three goal opportunities that Limerick will feel they should have converted.
The difference between Cork and Limerick's half-back line is Kyle Hayes sat back and guarded that middle most of the time, and Limerick in general didn't look like giving away goals.
Hayes had an effect in the first 15 or 20 minutes, didn't really after that, but he was still a constant in the middle of that defence, where I felt Cork really pushed up man-on-man on the Limerick half-forward line. That's why there seemed to be more space when Limerick delivered that long ball in.
Limerick's second goal was a touch of genius, especially from Aaron Gillane. His footwork and pass to the oncoming Shane O'Brien was something you can only dream of.
Only certain players have that ability. Gillane was one of Limerick's focal points. They just didn't get him enough ball. It's very hard for Cork to defend when they have only two on two in 40 or 50 yards of space.
Seamus Harnedy did well in patches and won a bit of aerial ball. Gearoid Hegarty was absolutely phenomenal on high ball. The big thing for me in the first half, which was very unusual, was Cork's 21 turnovers to Limerick's 14.
That means Cork were working extremely hard. That's one thing you could always say about Limerick over the last six or seven years, is their workrate and their turnovers. They pride themselves on that.
Cork had nine or ten wides to Limerick's four, so that means Cork probably should have gone in further ahead at half-time.
Patrick Horgan is playing as good as ever — working unreal, passing ball and scoring but I felt his placed balls were a bit off and I thought that might come back to bite Cork. Knowing Hoggie he wouldn't be happy with missing those.
You have to admire Cork's mentality, They were aggressive and when things went against them they never strayed from the plan. Even when Limerick went a point or two up at the end, they kept going and kept with it. That's massive.
Tactically, even playing against the wind in the second half, I thought they were a lot better in terms of using that ball. I still would be worried for Cork going forward, leaving that space in front of the full-back line. On puck-outs and in general play they were a lot better this time against Limerick.
Darragh Fitzgibbon was phenomenal. The ground he covers. They scores he gets. The work he does. During the 70 minutes maybe Cork had a slight edge, capitalising on Limerick's wides.
James Owens had a tough job to go in and referee. His style might be different to Thomas Walsh. The players had to adapt.
Limerick might have felt a small bit hard-done-by with so much extra-time. Overall, a draw was a fair result. Looking at the list of penalty takers I had a feeling it suited Cork better, but I don't think the Munster Final should be decided on penalties.
Both teams deserved another day. I know we are tight in the calendar but that shouldn't be a reason to go to penalties. I think it's unfair, putting that pressure on players.
Few fans would have a problem with it going to another day. Cork prevailed and you can't begrudge them the win. It would have been easy to fold up the tent after the beating they got the last day from Limerick. And they had a knock-back last year but these guys keep coming back for more. Fair play to them.
They are resilient. It's important they enjoy this victory and well done to them, but there is still a lot of hurling left to be done. Munster is great, but only one thing matters at the end of the day and that's winning Liam MacCarthy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Michael Noonan's brilliant double helps leaders Shamrock Rovers to comfortable win over bottom side Cork City
That gap now stands at 11 points following an utterly dominant display against the rock bottom Leesiders, who proved no match for a Rovers side who are in frightening form having made it eight wins from their last nine here. Rovers were ruthless, racing into a three-goal lead inside the opening half hour with 16-year-old Michael Noonan bagging a brace in between Roberto Lopes' bullet header, as Rory Gaffney added the fourth shortly after the restart to copper-fasten the three points. A consolation from Cork's Alex Nolan proved too little too late for Ger Nash's visitors, who suffered the same scoreline as their last trip to Tallaght in April. Presumably with one eye on Monday's trip to Dalymount Park, Bradley opted for six changes as Cork native Josh Honohan, Aaron Greene and Graham Burke dropped to the bench while trio Darragh Nugent, Matt Healy and Lee Grace were rested entirely. The Hoops boss was in turn able to bring in Noonan, Gaffney, Dan Cleary, Danny Mandroiu, Danny Grant and John O'Sullivan, such depth in a squad that it's almost scary. It took only six minutes for the hosts to take the lead in front of the 4,355-strong crowd. A fine through ball from ex-Ireland U-21 cap Mandroiu put Noonan through inside the box. The teenager still had a lot of work to do through with Cork pair Darragh Crowley and Freddie Anderson hot on his heels, but the Dubliner cleverly skipped past both of them, cut back inside and snuck his shot underneath Tein Troost. The Cork 'keeper may feel he should have done better to keep the tame effort out, but the hosts didn't care Noonan's sixth goal of the year put Rovers in the driving seat early on. Nash's charges came back soon after as some nice link up play between Malik Dijksteel and Djenairo Daniels saw the latter force a good save out of Hoops number one Ed McGinty, but that was as good as it got for the visitors in a opening half to forget. It wasn't long before Bradley's men stepped it up another gear and on 26 minutes, they had their second. Dylan Watts stepped up to take a free-kick from the left-hand side and put it on a plate for Lopes, as the captain's bullet header gave Troost no chance. It was the Cape Verde defender's second goal of the season, and first since the sides last met in Tallaght, another 4-1 triumph for the Hoops. But barely 180 seconds later, it went from bad to worse for the visitors and their travelling fans. Full-back Trevor Clarke, on just his second start of the season, slotted Noonan through on goal on the left flank, after the forward made a superb run from deep. The Ireland U-19 striker kept his cool and dinked it past Troost for his fifth goal in his last six appearances. On the stroke of half-time, Milan Mbeng's cross almost saw Daniels convert at the back post but the former Dutch underage cap was too late to convert at the back post. If the first half was one to forget for Cork City, then the second began in the same fashion as just four minutes after the restart, the hosts had their fourth. It was all of Cork's own making, as a loose pass allowed Mandroiu to pick up the ball and release Gaffney with a textbook through ball. The Galway man charged forward and picked his spot, slotting it low to Troost's left for his fifth of the season. Rovers were cruising. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Recent Ireland U-21 debutant Cathal O'Sullivan, who is being closely tracked by Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest and is expected to depart Turner's Cross this summer, saw a good effort saved by McGinty, who had been a bystander for the majority up to the hour mark. Cleary saw his header sail inches wide moments later, before substitute Nolan pulled back a consolation back on 69 minutes after a fine through ball from Greg Bolger. Having been reduced to silence for much of the night, at least the travelling support had something to shout about, but it was far too little, too late. The contest had been settled long before. All eyes turn towards Monday to see if Bradley's men can extend that lead out to 14 points with a win at Bohs. Andy Farrell's Lions may have kicked off their 2025 campaign in Dublin 4, but in Dublin 24, this 2025 title race took its latest step towards an increasingly likely ending. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes (Honohan 46), C O'Sullivan; Clarke (Kovalevskis 46), Watts (O'Neill 53), J O'Sullivan, Grant (McEneff 73); Mandroiu (Barrett 53); Noonan, Gaffney. Cork City: Troost; Mbeng (Nevin 61), Anderson, Nelson (Lyons 46), Crowley; O'Sullivan (Nolan 65), Bolger, McLaughlin, Fitzpatrick; Dijksteel (Murray 46), Daniels (Maguire 61).
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘There might be some issues' – Championship club could be forced to leave beloved 27,111-seater stadium for third time
CHARLTON ATHLETIC managing director Jim Rodwell has not ruled out the club leaving The Valley. The Addicks are back in the Championship for the first time since 2020 next season. Advertisement 2 Nathan Jones led Charlton back to the Championship last season Credit: PA 2 The club remain uncertain on the future of their home at The Valley Credit: PA But Charlton continue to be dogged by questions The Valley is under the control of the club's former owner Roland Duchatelet. He sold the club six years ago but retained ownership of the 27,111-seat stadium and the club's training ground. Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL A 15-year lease was signed by the club in 2021, with 11 years remaining before it expires. The EFL require clubs to have at least ten years left on a stadium lease. Charlton director Rodwell admits talks are ongoing with Duchatelet over an extension. But he did not rule out the possibility that the club could eventually have to leave the site - home to the club for most of their 106-year existence. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He told "We've made no secret of the fact we would like to buy the stadium or enter into a longer term lease on the right terms. EFL club release 'gorgeous work of art' kit and even rival fans want to buy it "Those conversations are ongoing. We have a considerable period of time left. I know fans like certainty and so do businessmen. Advertisement 'It's always a possibility [we will have to move]. I think the desire would be to stay at The Valley. "It's a brilliant ground and great atmosphere. It's fit for purpose." He added: "Our [lease] is getting down to [ten years], so there might be some issues there." Charlton left The Valley between 1923 and 1924 for nearby Catford. Advertisement They played at the now-demolished Mount Stadium, before a proposed merger with Catford Southend FC fell through. Charlton left the Valley again in 1985 after the ground fell into disrepair and the club's debts spiralled. They ground-shared with Rodwell continued: "What is The Valley actually worth? It's worth a lot to Charlton but probably not a lot to a developer. Advertisement "What else could you stick on there? "I'm always a great believer that commercial reality would hit home. "There's always a deal to be done there. Talks are ongoing. They have been conducted in the right spirit."
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kerry like a 'wounded dog,' and 'so unconvincing' Galway in a dangerous place
Two teams plenty would have been eyeing up as potential All-Ireland winners are Galway and Kerry. Galway was my pick from the start. They're also two teams that so far in the All-Ireland series have failed to ignite in any way at all. The word from Kerry is they're like a wounded dog and some voices within the county are saying it might just be better to put them down rather than prolong the agony. Kerry have an injury crisis and even in the All-Ireland series game against Cork, where they ran out comfortable winners they coughed up so many goal chances. If that's an Armagh, Donegal or Tyrone, they score them. Galway have tailed off rather dramatically since winning their province. They've played Dublin, Derry and Armagh - and in all these games they have been so unconvincing. In no way, shape or form do they look like All-Ireland contenders. Kerry play Cavan and should win but I don't think they'll get it all their own way, while Galway play Down in Newry. Both should get through but if there is any chance of a shock it'll be in Newry. Galway are in a dangerous place as a team - and if anyone can exploit that weakness it's Conor Laverty, Marty Clarke and Mickey Donnelly. They're doing brilliant work in Down at the minute but the gulf might be just too much. Down are building towards a place that Galway are already operating in. Neither Galway nor Kerry can afford to wait for something to happen. Waiting for it is grand in a Munster or Connacht Championship when you've Clare or Leitrim the following week. But with a GAA front pack that is relatively even, and so good, then waiting for it to happen is the worst thing you can do. Neither team can afford to wait. They need to identify the problem(s), deal with them and move on. I don't think it's a case of them not having the work done. Paddy Tally said during the week that he knew Derry's problem as clear as day - it was conditioning. Incidentally, I don't agree with him as it wasn't conditioning that let them down in a few of those Championship games but he's best placed to make that call. It's funny because Donegal exposed a structural problem with Derry in the first game of last year's Championship - and for some bizarre reason just wouldn't fix it. It was a relatively easy fix too but something of the conditioning nature can't be fixed mid season. If you find the opposition is stronger, faster and fitter, then you're not going to find the extra few weeks in a condensed season to fix that. I don't believe Kerry or Galway's problems can't be fixed. They can get whatever they need sorted and push on. Obviously Kerry's injuries are a problem. Some have criticized Jack O'Connor for not trusting panel players and not building a strong enough squad but are the lads coming in actually good enough? You can argue Jack has been around a long time and won plenty. He knows what a Championship player is so maybe we should trust him. If it's a case of the squad simply not being good enough, you do have to wonder why a county like Kerry with their 38 All-Irelands can't build a squad the same way Armagh have. With the way the game is so demanding now and transitional, it's going to be sore on players. So having 20 to 23 lads that can genuinely add to things and play ball is a massive plus. Galway need to sort Damien Comer out and find out one way or another whether he's fit to play in the All-Ireland series - and at least they'll know. It's detrimental to a squad to have that in the back of the head, that maybe when Comer gets back we will move up a level. Goes back to that dangerous word of waiting. They also need to sort the keeper out. I hope I'm wrong here, but I honestly don't see Galway winning on the big stage with Connor Gleeson in goals - and Conor Flaherty isn't the answer either. I feel guilty saying that but I had Galway as my All-Ireland favorites at the start of the year but the more I see of them, the more I think that the keepers just don't have the tools to work it out. Joyce could do worse than have a look around the clubs in Galway. The word in Donegal is that Jim McGuinness has drafted in Danny Rodgers at the tail end of the season to help give cover for the keepers. He identified a fixable problem mid season and sorted it. Joyce can do the same. Throw it all at their effort to win an All-Ireland. For the likes of Kerry and Galway mindset can be important too, when they find themselves in a midseason. Loss of confidence can be terminal at this time of year. It's different for teams that know deep down they're not good enough - but for teams who have the potential to be at the top table and hit a patch like that, it's such a frustrating place to be. I've been there more times than enough with Donegal, where you're ticking along waiting for the spark thinking to yourself that eventually it'll happen and suddenly you find yourself out of the Championship. Just how do you save your season, knowing you have more there? Both teams will have many many conversations - in their wee groups and as a team. Just how do you sort this? You'll see it in so many club teams throughout the year, the fabled crisis meeting will be called. I always loved a crisis meeting myself back in the day. I'll never forget a time with Donegal, going to Murphy and saying I'm not happy here. I said, 'We need to have a meeting,' and he said, 'No, what we need to do is fix it in the training field.' That's something that has always stuck with me. Yes of course there is a time for meetings and talking but sometimes it's easy to talk. The training field is where most of the magic happens, where the bulk of what's going wrong on game day should be fixed. Kerry coughing up goals and being a bit porous, Galway struggling to get out on their own kickouts. They are all things that can be fixed. It can be tempting for teams to fall into the trap of just talking. I believe both teams will get through this weekend okay, Kerry easier than Galway. But unless they get their mindset sorted and fix the problems, they're not going to goany further than the quarter-finals.
