1. Cork claim silverware at last under JBM
CORK HAD MADE great strides under Jimmy Barry-Murphy in his second coming as Rebels boss but the lack of silverware has been a blemish on their run since he took charge in 2012.
There’s been disappointments in the shape of the 2012 league final, the 2013 Munster final and the 2013 All-Ireland final and replay.
Today they finally got over the line in a decider. It was a major milestone for this group of players – Shane O’Neill was the only one previously to have a Munster senior hurling medal – and this is a triumph that they will certainly savour and hope to use as a launchpad for the season ahead.
2. Limerick experience a contrast in fortunes from 12 months ago
Limerick’s Munster final win in 2013 was a fantastic moment for hurling in the county as they celebrated the end to a 17-year wait for provincial senior glory. They struck 0-24 that day last July in the Gaelic Grounds but despite matching that total on the scoreboard twelve months on, they suffered defeat.
Shipping two goals proved crucial as those scores propelled Cork to victory. Last year Limerick produced a powerful burst for the finish line with their substitutes making a huge impact, particularly in attack. They didn’t get a similar return on this occasion and couldn’t match a Cork team who closed out the game in a strong fashion.
3. Cork’s new faces make the difference
We’ve spoken before about how Cork’s squad is stronger in 2014 than it was last year and those new additions made a big impact today. Aidan Walsh was sensational throughout, working ferociously hard at midfield and limiting the impact of Limerick’s James Ryan. Walsh landed 0-2 and was central to some of Cork’s best moments in the game.
In attack Bill Cooper produced a storming display in the second-half as he grabbed 0-2. Alan Cadogan rounded off a terrific Munster championship campaign in his breakthrough senior year as he hit 0-3. While Paudie O’Sullivan came off the bench after an injury-plagued 2013 and bagged that crucial second goal.
4. Davy in danger of becoming the boy who cried wolf
In his defence, Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald probably had every right to question the performance of referee Johnny Ryan after his defending champions were dumped out of the championship by mid-July.
However, his contention that the Banner were somehow hard done by – despite the fact Wexford had what looked a legitimate goal ruled out – is heard so often these days that even if he’s right very few will actually pay attention.
After their Munster semi-final loss to Cork he hinted at ‘other factors’ – referee James McGrath – being the reason his side conceded 2-11 from frees. But three players sent off in two games with Wexford – all of which were deserved – hints that perhaps the former All-Ireland winning goalkeeper needs to look within rather than casting blame on others.
5. Can Offaly hurling ever right their tailspin
Offaly’s last All-Ireland senior hurling title came 16 years ago in 1998 with their last Leinster success nearly 20 years ago. Indeed, the Faithful haven’t won a title of any note since minor and U21 Leinster wins in 2000 looked to be heralding a new era.
However, in 2014, the senior hurlers just avoided relegation to Division 2A – a relegation some would say they deserved – before shipping a combined 10-57 to Kilkenny (5-32) and Tipperary (5-25) in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
There is a review of both hurling and football in the county on-going but with fans, players and coaches at such a low ebb, you have to ask what it will take for them to return to any relevance.
