Cian Lynch Returns, Hannon’s Injury, Glimpses of their best | Talking Points as Limerick let late lead slip in Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Limerick were defeated in their opening league game after falling to a one-point loss in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

After leading by eight at the half, Limerick will certainly be disappointed to have let the advantage slip within ten minutes of the restart as Cork eventually snatched the victory in the first round of the league.

Limerick, who were without seven of the starting side from last year’s All-Ireland final, found their rhythm in patches but succumbed to three late Cork points down the stretch for a second one-point defeat to the Rebels in three weeks.

There were certainly positives to come from the game with Limerick a far removed team from the one that struggled so much in the 2022 league. Debutants made their cases while other fringe players were impressive.

And with the dust settled on the contest, we look back at some talking points to emerge from the defeat.

Limerick show glimpses of All-Ireland-winning flair

Twelve months ago, Limerick sauntered through the league where they had to wait until the final day to pick up their maiden win, that coming against Offaly in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. The opening three games saw them lose to Wexford, Galway and Cork while they could only manage a draw with Clare in Ennis. By the time the championship came, Kiely’s men found their form and were the last team left standing in July in claiming a third successive All-Ireland title.

However, the improved early league performance on Saturday would have been a welcome for Kiely and co who let a late lead slip. Limerick controlled the game for large parts and were particularly impressive in the second quarter. The Shannonsiders shot six on the bounce in the final five minutes of the first half as they showed glimpses of the side that have won four of the last five All-Ireland titles.

Their build up play was impeccable with scores from Gearoid Hegarty, Declan Hannon, Barry Murphy and Adam English right from the top drawer in this period. That was enough to surge into a 0-16 to 0-8 lead at the interval and while that was wiped out in the third quarter, the sharpness was certainly evident for large parts in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Adam English picked off a pair of points in the first half in only his second start for the senior side.
Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

After Clare’s performances in their three games in 2022, they will be keen to build on the positives this weekend.

Absentees noticeable

It was a more familiar looking line up to the ones we saw in the Munster Hurling league but it was still a far cry from the All-Ireland winning XVs of the last three years.

Seven of last years side were named in the form of Sean Finn, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey, Darragh O’Donovan, Gearoid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey and Seamus Flanagan. Graeme Mulcahy was also sprung from the bench but elsewhere it was those looking to stake their claim for a starting berth come the April championship. 

And for the most part there was little let-off for Limerick who controlled the first period in style. Eleven different players found the target and the Shannonsiders were also fairly resilient at the back. The concession of two goals in ten minutes knocked Limerick somewhat but it was firstly losing Hannon and then the substitution of Hegarty that seemed to knock them off canter.

Hannon was forced off with a “nasty cut to his finger” as outlined by John Kiely was Hegarty was arguably the best man of the pitch before making way for Cian Lynch. Suddenly Limerick were down to just five of their All-Ireland winning XV and it told down the stretch. Certainly players stood up, Colin Coughlan and Adam English both had doubles, Ciaran Barry and Donnacha O’Dalaigh also scored on league debut but it was in experience where Limerick lacked.

The return of the likes of Nickie Quaid, Barry Nash, Diarmaid Byrnes, Will O’Donoghue and Kyle Hayes in the coming weeks will help in that regard but Limerick’s frontline remain the key to any four-in-a-row hopes.

17 April 2022; Kyle Hayes of Limerick evades Mark Coleman of Cork on his way to score a goal, in the 15th minute during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Cork and Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Declan Hannon’s injury a worry for Limerick

After Cork drew level in the 45th minute courtesy of a well taken goal by Declan Dalton, just four minutes later, Limerick lost captain Declan Hannon to injury with the four time All-Ireland winning captain substituted in the aftermath. The extent of the injury is unclear but judging by John Kiely’s comments, it seems unlikely that the Adare man will feature this weekend.

And his absence will leave a huge void at centra-back with his replacement far from assured. There are a number of worthy candidates but none offer the same precision and experience of Hannon at #6. Dan Morrissey has reverted to the role in the past and shifted into the middle on Hannon’s departure at the weekend. He also plies his trade their for Ahane. However, he is a different sort of centre-back to Hannon, offering more of a defensive nous, while the Adare native is so often the start of attacks.

Kyle Hayes was the best player in the 2017 All-Ireland U21 Championship at centre-back but has only featured there once for the seniors, the first league game of 2021. Since then he has won All-Stars at both wing-back and centre-forward and is unlikely to move again to #6. Barry Nash’s game is most similar to Hannon, with a huge intelligence in his displays and a similar ability to deliver long ball. Richie English lines out at centre-back for Doon, as does Sean Finn with Bruff but it is hard to see either pushed up the field.

Nonetheless, Kiely will have a plan but the hope is that it will only be needed in the short term with Hannon arguably Limerick’s most important player.

22 August 2021; Declan Hannon of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Cork and Limerick in Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Cian Lynch returns

One name stood above the rest when the Limerick squad was announced on Thursday evening with Cian Lynch named as #21 on the panel.

After John Kiely had outlined that the two-time hurler of the year had completed his recovery from an ankle injury earlier this year, there was expectancy more than hope that we would see the Patrickswell man back in action sooner rather than later

And with just over twelve minutes to play, Lynch made his return to action where he was immediately given special attention. The Rebels gave him little to no time in possession but as he so often does he was able to get the sliotar away in trouble.

Fitness will definitely be worked on over the coming weeks but just the sight of Lynch on the field is a major boost regardless of the result. 

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