Allianz Hurling League Division 1 – By Paddy Ryan

CORK………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2-17
LIMERICK………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….0-22
Trailing by eight points at the break, Cork produced an impressive display during the entire second half to overturn a huge deficit at the interval to emerge victors by a point over Limerick when they clashed in the opening round of the Allianz National Hurling League before an attendance of over 19,000 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening.
In a high scoring contest, both teams enjoyed their moments. Limerick enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession during the opening half and some great movements caught the Cork defence off guard on numerous occasion as they were more than full value for their impressive 0-16 to 0-8 lead at the break. It was felt that the winning margin could be very high such was their sharpness and awareness throughout this half.
In fairness Cork came out a much improved outfit in the second half and helped by early goals by Robbie O’Flynn and Declan Dalton along with the contribution of Patrick Horgan who was later named Man of the Match, they emerged victors by the narrowest of margins with the all-important point coming from Shane Kingston deep in stoppage time that got their League campaign off to a winning start.
The opening stages on Saturday evening saw Limerick quick into their stride. Early fouls on Adam English and Aaron Costello were duly punished by accurate free taker David Reidy as they moved 0-2 to no score in front. Cork opened their account in the sixth minute when Patrick Horgan pointed a free.
However Limerick con-tinued to set the pace getting on top in the key half back and midfield sectors and their ability to pick out forwards in space caused many problems to the Cork backline. David Reidy added another point from a free before the first score from play came in the 10th minute when Darragh O’Donovan set up the impressive Gearóid Hegarty who pointed from distance. In their next attack Adam English and Colin Coughlan linked up very well to set up Séamus Flanagan for a well taken point that moved them 0-5 to 0-1 in front.
Cork responded with a Patrick Horgan free. From the resultant puckout Luke Meade won possession around the middle of the field and scored a great point. Cork created the game’s opening goal scoring chance soon after when Robbie O’Flynn cut in along the sideline but his effort from a tight angle was narrowly wide.
Limerick upped their efforts once again with Colin Coughlan, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey, Darragh O’Donovan and Barry Murphy influential figures. A series of points by Gearóid Hegarty (2) Tom Morrissey, Darragh O’Donovan and David Reidy moved them 0-10 to 0-5 clear by the 20th minute – the Cork points coming by Brian Roche and Robbie O’Flynn. Cork were also creating their fair of chances with Robbie O’Flynn in particular most effective up front.
In the 22nd minute a free by keeper Patrick Collins back in his own half backline was saved on the line by the Limerick net minder David McCarthy with the rebound falling to Patrick Horgan who pointed from close range. Horgan added another point from a free a minute later before his clubmate Eoin Downey scored a great point from long range after he received a good pass from Tommy O’Connell that closed the deficit to 0-10 to 0-8 by the 29th minute. Cork seemed in a good position at this stage but in the run up to the break Limerick staged a late blitz that helped open up a commanding lead. David Reidy had a point from a free before Barry Murphy and Colin Coughlan with two long range efforts stretched their lead to 0-13 to 0-8.
Further pressure saw a Limerick clearance leading to team captain Declan Hannon sending over a fine long range point. Séamus Flanagan with a great point from out near the sideline opened up a seven point game. In injury time Seán Finn and Declan Hannon worked well out of the backline to set up Adam English for a great point as Limerick certainly stamped their authority on proceedings when holding a commanding 0-16 to 0-8 lead at the interval.
On the changeover Cork needed a fast start to have any chance in getting back into the contest. Their backline tightened up greatly with their half forward line dropping deep to support their entire backline who were under constant pressure throughout the opening half. Patrick Horgan got the second half scoring underway with a free in the 37th minute. A minute later they struck for a goal they so badly needed when a movement involving Patrick Collins, Brian Roche, Ciarán Joyce and Declan Dalton saw Robbie O’Flynn breach the Limerick defence to score a cracking goal 0-16 to 1-9.
David Reidy had a point for Limerick from a free but the momentum was with Cork at this stage. Good work by Robbie O’Flynn set up Patrick Horgan for a point with Horgan having another point in the 44th minute after he picked up possession from a Luke Meade delivery. Two minutes later the sides were level at 0-17 to 2-11 when Declan Dalton was on hand to score his side’s second goal and it was certainly game on from here to the finish.
Limerick, who lost the services to key defender Declan Hannon due to a hand injury, steadied the ship and they edged in front again when a long delivery by Richie English set up Adam English for a well taken point. Cork’s response was immediate and three points in quick succession by Patrick Horgan (2) and Ciarán Joyce moved them two clear by the 57th minute 2-14 to 0-18.
Limerick regrouped once again. David Reidy had a point from a free before there was a lengthy delay to proceedings due to an ankle injury sustained to Cork’s Robbie O’Flynn who had to leave the field on the stretcher, When play resumed and a considerable amount of injury time to be allotted Limerick forced level when substitute Ciarán Barry scored a great point from long range.
Ten minutes of injury time saw both teams battle hard for supremacy. Limerick with a point each by David Reidy and Donnacha O’Dalaigh opened up a two point cushion and the game appeared to be slipping away from Cork’s reach. However the home side showed great character from here. Patrick Horgan had a point from a free before good work by Conor Cahalane set up Conor Lehane for a well taken point. Over the next couple of minutes both teams were wide before the home side who had some very good displays in this half by Ciarán Joyce, Tommy O’Connell, Luke Meade, Patrick Horgan, Robbie O’Flynn and Brian Roche struck for the match winning score when Lehane and Horgan combined well to set up substitute Shane Kingston for the all-important winning point.
Scorers: Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘65’); Robbie O’Flynn 1-1; Declan Dalton 1-0; Eoin Downey, Luke Meade, Shane Kingston, Conor Lehane, Brian Roche, Ciarán Joyce 0-1 each.
Limerick: David Reidy 0-8 (0-7f, 0-1 ‘65’); Gearoid Hegarty 0-3; Colin Coughlan, Adam English 0-2 each; Declan Hannon, Darragh O’Donovan, Barry Murphy, Tom Morrissey, Séamus Flanagan, Ciarán Barry, Donnacha O’Dálaigh 0-1 each.
Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Con O’Cal-laghan (Dromtarriffe), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Seán O’Donoghue (Innis-carra); Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), Damian Cahalane (St Finbarr’s); Brian O’Sullivan (Kan-turk), Luke Meade (New-cestown); Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Cormac Beausang (Midleton); Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own).
Subs Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons) for Seán O’Donoghue (inj), Shane Kingston (Douglas) for Cormac Beausang, Shane Barrett (Blarney) for Brian O’Sullivan, Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s) for Declan Dalton, Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for Robbie O’Flynn (inj),
Limerick: David McCarthy (Glenroe); Seán Finn (Bruff), Richie English (Doon), Aaron Costello (Kilmallock); Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Declan Hannon (Adare), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), Barry Murphy (Doon); Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), Tom Morrissey (Ahane); Adam English (Doon), Séamus Flanagan (Feohanagh), Oisin O’Reilly (Kil-mallock).
Subs: Ciarán Barry (Ahane) for Declan Hannon (inj), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for David Reidy (blood), David Reidy for Graeme Mulcahy, Shane O’Brien (Kil-mallock) for Oisin O’Reilly, Cian Lynch (Patrickswell) for Gearóid Hegarty, Donnacha O’Dálaigh (Monaleen) for Séamus Flanagan, Fergal O’Connor (Effin) for Aaron Costello (blood).
Referee: Fergal Horgan, Tipperary.