Latest news with #MunsterGAAHurlingSeniorChampionship
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Ferocious Rebels figured out how to neutralise Treaty
In keeping with the martial tone of the evening's action, and with the treatment of the Munster Championship generally as an immortal battle between two great forces, Pat Ryan deployed the language of combat in the Gaelic Grounds. In this instance it was fitting, because Cork came to Limerick with a clear idea of how to win on Saturday night. The mortification of losing by 16 points to the champions earlier in the provincial campaign may have been a motivation, but no matter what had gone before, the way to defeat Limerick hadn't changed. Facing down their ferocious physical power was the challenge. Cork did that, aided by extraordinary refereeing that turned the first half into a free-for-all, but the determination not to take a backward step was the key plank in their approach. Cork's Shane Barrett and Brian Hayes celebrates. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie 'We didn't fight the last time we came up here and the lads worked really hard, we fought really, really hard,' said Ryan. 'It was vital that we represented the jersey properly and we did. 'From the throw-in, we were engaged. You have to put really, really good teams under pressure and you take your chances, whether you win or not.' Describing Cork as engaged was an eloquent use of words by Ryan. In truth, they were ferocious, turning every contest into the type of grappling tussle that Limerick have made their own. The Cork captain Shane Barrett leads his players behind the St Patrick's Pipe Band, from Tulla, during the parade before the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile In the 2000s, Brian Cody's vision for hurling was so forcefully implemented by his all-conquering team that it changed not only how the game was played, but how it was officiated, too. Limerick have taken that Cody template and supersized it over the past decade. Their halfback and half-forward lines are now manned by players who are fusions of power and skill. For most opponents, on most days, it's been an irresistible combination. It might have galled Ryan that in the round-robin meeting between the teams, Cork didn't even get to the point of making Limerick work. They were blown away from the first Limerick goal two minutes in that day, and any designs they had on turning the game into a physical showdown never got off the whiteboard. But it's certain that their tactics that day had physicality at their core. The difference on Saturday was that they never let Limerick build up a head of steam. Shane Barrett of Cork celebrates after his side's victory in the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile From the start, John Kiely's army were met on the front foot. It rattled them on the field but also on the sideline. Eyewitness accounts spoke of crackling tension, with the Limerick sideline in particular in a state of heightened animation. The stresses burst to the surface at half time as the Cork manager sought out Thomas Walsh, the match referee, only to find Kiely in his way. 'The game is so fast,' Ryan said afterwards. 'Thomas is a fantastic referee. We're fighting for calls. John Kiely's fighting for calls. That's just the nature of it. 'In fairness to the referees that are there at the moment, they're all doing their best. 'They're all trying to do it in a honourable and straight way. 'There were a couple of calls that went against us but I heard John shouting for plenty of scores that didn't go his way. That's just the game.' Cork celebrate winning in the dressing room. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie Equanimity is easily maintained when your team has won, but in the longer term, it's surely unsustainable to have marquee hurling matches become effectively ungoverned collisions between two teams. It's not the fault of any one official, either, but rather the inevitable end-product of a culture that has allowed physical power to become an unchecked factor in contests. That's not a concern for Pat Ryan or his players this morning. They have a month's wait for their All-Ireland semifinal, with Limerick obliged to play a quarter-final that will hardly long detain them. For Ryan and his players, meanwhile, there is one certainty: if they meet Limerick again this summer, which is more than a remote chance, they will know what's coming. And it will be fearsome.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Kilkenny boss claims Munster final conclusion was unfair
Kilkenny's reward for a sixth Leinster hurling title in a row is a likely semi-final with Limerick – but Derek Lyng felt sympathy for the vanquished Munster giants after what he felt was an unfair end to the game. Lyng's team overcame Galway in Croke Park on Sunday, winning by eight points in front of 37,503 spectators. A largely subdued affair was in complete contrast to the drama that played out in Limerick the night before, when Cork won on penalties after extra time. Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng reacts during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The net result is a place in the quarter-finals for Limerick, and they will be unbackable favourites to win that, against one of Dublin and Kildare. That would set them against Lyng's men in the last four. And the victorious Kilkenny manager suggested that a fairer way of deciding the match would have been a replay. 'I think it's hard on players,' he said of the penalty shoot-out. 'I know we have a new system in place and we're kind of caught for time but I just think we're a bit too caught at the minute. 'It made for a great spectacle, but I think to be fair to players, the replay would have been more fair to them.' 7 June 2025; Cork captain Robert Downey lifts the Mick Mackey Cup after his side' victory in the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Limerick will be expected to put aside that disappointment and prevail not only against the winners of Dublin and Kildare, but also Kilkenny in a semi-final. And the tepid nature of much of yesterday's Leinster decider in contrast to the pyrotechnics in the Gaelic Grounds will do nothing to temper that belief. Lyng, though, was adamant that his players have been tested properly ahead of the expected challenge to come. 'I think it's probably taken for granted that we're going to go win these games, but a huge amount of work goes into it, particularly from the players,' he said. Walter Walsh in action for Kilkenny. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 'We lost to Wexford, and against Dublin we would have been disappointed with a spell in that game as well, and likewise today, so, regardless of who we were playing, we know we're going to have to find another gear or two for the next day, and that's the reality of it.' Galway, meanwhile, look certain to face Tipperary in a last-eight tie with the Premier County facing Laois in a preliminary quarter-final before then. Micheál Donoghue denied that the job facing him on his return to Galway is bigger than anticipated after a desperately flat display in which his side went 36 minutes without a score from play. 19 August 2018; Galway manager Micheál Donoghue and Joe Canning of Galway following the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Donoghue feels they are not as far behind the leading teams as many believe. 'No, I wouldn't say it's a bigger job,' he said. 'Obviously, the disappointment of today and I suppose the narrative will be that it's probably similar to previous years and previous teams. 'But look, we know what we have in the squad and we'll try and take the positives out of it as we move forward.'
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Fan fury as Cork hurlers claim first Munster title in seven years
Munster hurling fans are up in arms after Cork claimed their first Munster title in seven years following a penalty shoot-out against six-in-a-row champions Limerick. The Treaty City hosted the Rebels at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening, with the Cork side looking to redeem themselves after being beaten by Limerick just weeks previous. After 70 minutes of play finished on a draw, extra time was called, with the additional 20 minutes also proving incapable of separating the sides thanks to a last-second point from Charleville man Darragh Fitzgibbon. Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork is tackled by Michael Casey and William O'Donoghue of Limerick during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile After a 16-point beating last month, the Rebels were victorious, winning the shootout 3-2 to be crowned Munster Champions. Cork manager Pat Ryan admitted his side 'didn't fight the last time' but had 'worked [and] fought really hard.' 'It just took penalties to separate us and we're just delighted to get the trophy,' he said, 'We know that we're a really, really good team. Cork manager Pat Ryan admitted his side 'didn't fight the last time' but had 'worked [and] fought really hard.' Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 'But it's the same with every other team, there's loads of good teams out there and it's all about the attitude you bring and whether you're going to fight.' The Glanmire native added that while he was missing a few lads, some substitutions throughout the game helped to 'freshen up the team.' The manager admitted that the Rebels hadn't been practicing penalties that much as a team, adding that the lads had likely practiced a lot individually. Thrilled to see Cork win tonight but I'd agree with @sportsdes It's almost sacrilegious to see the Munster Championship decided on a penalty shoot-out . Those are the cards we are dealt with a condensed inter-county season.#rebelsabu #MunsterFinal ⬇️ — Joe Seward (@JoeSeward1) June 7, 2025 Fans took to X to have their say on the nail-biting game, with many disappointed to see the game won on penalties. Sports broadcaster Des Cahill said: 'Does a tremendous final like this really have to be decided by penalties? Imagine the anticipation, the craic, and the buzz if we were looking forward to a replay! Replay deserved! Neither team should be loosing that way! There has to be a better way than peno! It's #Hurling for god sake! #GAA #MunsterFinal #Limerick #Cork — Julian (@mayojg74) June 7, 2025 'This is the price of the condensed season. Congrats to Cork & Limerick on providing a superb #MunsterFinal.' Another added: 'Thrilled to see Cork win tonight but I'd agree with @sportsdes It's almost sacrilegious to see the Munster Championship decided on a penalty shoot-out. Those are the cards we are dealt with a condensed inter-county season #rebelsabu #MunsterFinal.' Everyone giving out that penalties are not a good way to decide the #MunsterFinal Remember the GAA and supporters of the condensed season created this absurd mess — Fran Mallon (@FranMallon1) June 7, 2025 A third shared: 'Replay deserved! Neither team should be losing that way! There has to be a better way than a peno! It's #hurling for god sake.' A fourth pointed out: 'Everyone giving out that penalties are not a good way to decide the #MunsterFinal. 'Remember the GAA and supporters of the condensed season created this absurd mess.' There were also those who claimed that the referee was too lenient in the fixture, with some even suggesting that one team was favoured over another. However, it seems as though for every Cork fan who thought Limerick were getting preferential treatment, an equal amount felt the opposite was the case. Cork now advance to the All Ireland semi-finals while Limerick enter the quarter-final stages.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘They thought we were finished'- John Kiely hits back at Limerick doubters ahead of Munster final against Cork
WITH Limerick looking primed to get back to where they once belonged, John Kiely believes the calibre of coaching provided by men like Paul Kinnerk has been the driving force behind their remarkable consistency. Since Kiely took the reins in 2017, he and Kinnerk have become the most successful John-and-Paul duo since Lennon and McCartney. 2 Limerick manager John Kiely with the Mick Mackey Cup after the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final last year 2 Limerick and John Kiely face Cork this weekend in the Munster SHC final The top of the charts is a familiar vantage point for a A record-extending seventh consecutive Munster SHC title is also at stake against 'It's only through good coaching that players are going to improve, be it in their conditioning or their hurling. READ MORE ON GAA "And we've got fantastic coaches who've been involved with the players over the last nine years — just incredible coaches. 'Paul Kinnerk leads the coaching programme and, as we all know, Paul leaves no stone unturned. His attention to detail is unrivalled. 'But most importantly, his innovation in terms of his coaching, in terms of the impact he can make on a game through his coaching over multiple seasons. "I think it can be seen in how our team has developed over the last eight years.' Most read in GAA Hurling While coaching expertise is the mechanism that keeps the Limerick machine functioning so efficiently, affording gifted players like Cian Lynch a licence for individual expression is also a key component. 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe Lynch's assist for Adam English's goal in the recent round-robin win over Cork was a moment of magic. But is it something that can be coached? Kiely said: 'No, that's just him. That's just Cian. Being a good coach, sometimes you want to put too much of your own will and shape to everything. 'I think there's also an acknowledgement that good coaching is allowing players to be themselves and bring their natural attributes and skill-sets and flair to the game of hurling — or any game really, for that matter. 'For Cian to be able to do that now at this stage in his career, I think it's brilliant. It reflects well on Paul and all the coaches that a player can express himself on the pitch. 'I think we've all come to expect that Cian has that ability to find a pass and see movement where others can't see it. "It's a joy to watch and all we can do is ensure that the environment encourages that flair. 'And when it doesn't happen, it doesn't come off, there's nobody going to be giving out, 'Why did you do that?' It's a case of on to the next one and try it again.' When their quest for a historic Liam MacCarthy Cup five-in-a-row was foiled by Cork last summer, the likelihood of the result marking the beginning of the end of an era shaped the debates about the future of this Limerick team. Six of their starters against the same opposition last month are now on the far side of 30. Yet they made a mockery of suggestions that the end is nigh by producing one of their most impressive displays to run out 16-point winners. And Kiely cited recently retired Munster rugby ace Peter O'Mahony, who was appointed Ireland captain at the age of 34, as an example of what is possible in the twilight of one's career. He stated: 'We've always done right by the lads medically. If they weren't fit, they didn't play. We've always treated them extremely well that way. That's being borne out now. 'They're really, really strong. I think the support that's there for the players now, it means they can go on for many, many more years than what they would have done 20 years ago even. 'I think you can see that in the professional game of rugby, where players are peaking in their early 30s. Peter O'Mahony is a perfect example. 'I think it's really, really important that we acknowledge that the envelope for players to enjoy it is there. We don't almost pre-empt an earlier than necessary stepping-away from the game. 'We need to make sure that the boys can enjoy the time playing the game that they love. 'I think that's the most important part of it and acknowledging along the way that there are going to be dips in their form, dips in terms of their physical readiness, and we have to try and support them through that the best we can. 'But definitely there are much, much longer careers now. Look at Patrick Horgan, he's a perfect example of it. It's great to see.' Cork ace Horgan, hurling's all-time top scorer, and Kilkenny's TJ Reid are both still going strong, aged 37, at the highest level of the game. Asked if he reckons any of his players could match that longevity, Kiely insisted: 'Absolutely, yeah. Why not? Maybe longer. I think that's all doable.' Now in his ninth season at the helm, Kiely's tenure got off to a relatively inauspicious start. Limerick fell to Kilkenny at the first hurdle in the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2017. After losing their Championship opener to Clare in a Munster semi-final. With the benefit of hindsight, it would be easy to assume that he could already see the glory days on the horizon. After all, the Shannonsiders captured that year's All-Ireland Under-21 title with a team that included seven future All-Stars. ON A LIM But Kiely laughed: 'All I saw coming was a phone call to say, 'Thanks very much' at the end of 2017! I spent four months waiting for the call. 'I'm glad my phone wasn't working, whatever it was, or somebody had the wrong number. That's all I saw coming. 'We knew we had made improvements — of course we did. The impact of the coaching had definitely begun to embed, I suppose. 'On reflection now, you'd have to say that to get a team to a level of performance takes time. "And for people to get to know each other, to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, to embed principles into your coaching and your playing, it takes time. 'We now have a great appreciation of how long that actually takes.' And while the chance to achieve something unprecedented slipped from their grasp at the penultimate stage of last year's Championship. Kiely does not lament the shedding of the additional baggage that they had to carry throughout the journey. He said: 'The first words out of everybody's mouth that you'd meet when you go to the shop or go to the post office or go to Mass — it was almost the first line at Mass. 'So it's definitely no harm that it's finished with. 'It would have been lovely to do it, of course it would, but such is sport and we move on to the next challenge and we don't look back very much at all. 'You have to embrace the hurt, you have to embrace the disappointment and you have to try and make yourself better. 'Definitely 2024 is in the rear-view mirror.'
Irish Examiner
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Waterford hero Stephen Bennett: 'We're fed up of being finished hurling in May'
Two-goal Waterford hero Stephen Bennett is desperate to make it out of the Munster round robin in 2025. The 2020 All-Star scored 2-4 in the second half and 2-8 in total on his 100th appearance to help the Déise defeat reigning All-Ireland champions Clare on home turf. That's now a staggering 40 goals and 554 points in white and blue for the Ballysaggart scoregetter. "That's something I'll look back on in a few years. I'm just delighted with the two points. I would have sat out on the bench if we could have won two points today. We've been so nearly there all the time. We need to just go away and get another win. Get out of the group, get to a Munster final or get to the All-Ireland series. We're fed up of being finished hurling in May. We've Limerick in six days' time so we'll focus on that now." Bennett admitted that he lost his footing in converting the penalty on 44 minutes. "I fell over! We'll take it! It was like a John Terry moment! Look, it went in, I was happy. I didn't see it go in." Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan is beaten for Waterford's first goal, a penalty by Stephen Bennett, during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 2 match between Waterford and Clare at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Waterford manager Peter Queally hailed Bennett's second-half heroics. "Funnily enough, I would have said Stephen has had better games! He was quiet in the first half but he had a brilliant second half. This is something about Stephen I have noticed in the last few years. Looking back on the analysis last year, Stevie was very injury-affected. When we look back on the Limerick game and the Clare game last year, we took Stephen off after 50 minutes because that's all he had in him. I was thinking to myself 'why did we do that?' "Thinking back, he was injured or coming back from injury and he hadn't a lot of training done. I said to Eoin Kelly and Dan Shanahan 'we ain't doing it this year!' I don't care how bad he's going, there's so much in this fella. If you think back on the league game here against Dublin, that was only his second game in six months. That day and that last three or four minutes, he provided the pass for Patrick Curran's goal and point in injury time. That sums up Stephen. There's no end to him with his work rate and his energy and what he can contribute." The Waterford faithful, among a sellout crowd of 12,078, also played their part. "It means so much to us, it means so much to those players to get them behind us. We know how passionate they are. It's like breaking up with someone, we missed them in the last few years! It was great to get them back today and to see the buzz. I knew when the announcer announced with two minutes to go 'no supporters on the field', you were going to have some job holding these back here! They deserve it. They've been behind us through thick and thin." He wants his team to back up that performance against Limerick in six days' time. Treaty boss John Kiely and coach Paul Kinnerk watched on from the stand. "Our eyes are wide open as regards where it leaves us. We were in this position last year. We have to get something out of next Saturday's match. We're at home to Limerick; it's so important that we get results in these home games and make it a bit of a fortress and make it a place that is hard to come to. We can't use the six day turnaround as an excuse. We have to come with all guns blazing against Limerick next Saturday night and try and get a result." Bringing the same energy and intensity is a must. "I always felt coming into this game that the freshness was more important than the game last week. We did have that energy all through the game. The secret now, if there's a way of cracking it, is to get the emotion back down and get those energy levels way up again on Saturday night and bring the same energy, intensity, aggression and work rate that we had today."
