Positive debuts, fringe players make their case and costly wides | Talking Points as Limerick begin 2023 campaign with narrow loss in Cork

Limerick kicked off their 2023 campaign with a narrow loss in Cork that ends their three-year stint as champions.

Limerick’s stranglehold on the Munster Hurling League came to an end on Sunday afternoon following a one-point loss to Cork in their opening game of 2023.

Late scores from Conor Lehane and Brian Hayes booked Cork’s spot in the decider against Tipperary with Limerick now preparing for a dead rubber with Kerry.

John Kiely gave plenty of new faces their debuts on Sunday with a mostly experimental side that retained just three players from the All-Ireland win in July of last year.

With the dust settled on the contest, we look at some of the talking points to emerge from the result.

Youngsters hit the ground running

When John Kiely named his Limerick side for Sunday’s clash, there were a number of new faces included with the bulk featuring for the U20s in their journey to last year’s All-Ireland final. Fergal O’Connor was given his debut at corner-back while Aidan O’Connor and Shane O’Brien were named to start in attack. Ciaran Barry, who was added to the panel in 2022 was also handed a first start.

Each of the four acquitted themselves well as Limerick sought a fluency in their first game in six months. Effin native, Fergal O’Connor was arguably the pick of the punch as he continued where he left off for the 20s where he was the outstanding full back in the competition. Tasked with Shane Barrett and Cormac Beausang at different stages, he coped well in laying down a marker. Ahead of him, Barry used possession well while the Cork half-forward line dropped deep into their own half.

O’Brien and Aidan O’Connor both had a pair of first-half points from play with their possession limited. At wing forward, the ball often bypassed O’Connor and co, although he did show his quality whenever given the sliotar. O’Brien was well marshaled by Rob Downey but the Kilmallock teenager grew into the contest with his points of the highest order. He also won a number of frees that were put away by David Reidy.

Off the bench, Jimmy Quilty, Micheal Houlihan and Conor O’Grady made their first appearances for Limerick with all bar O’Grady limited in possession. The Hospital Herbertstown man benefited from the game opening up and had Limerick ahead late on. However, he was wayward with one late on as was O’Brien.

However, Kiely will be pleased with each as none looked out of place with the jersey now theirs to lose ahead of the return of the frontline members of the squad.

Richie English continues pre-season dominance

Man of the match when Limerick were crowned Munster Hurling League champions in 2022, Richie English hasn’t skipped a beat in the meantime as he was imperious in Pairc Ui Rinn. He was tasked with Brian Hayes, the rangy St Finbarrs player that recently switched codes and while the Cork man had the winning score, it was no fault of English who was masterful throughout.

Hayes showed a deft touch for his size but the sight of English thundering out of defence was a constant in the game as he furthered his case as they next man up in the Limerick full back line. Mike Casey’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared but English will be looking to capitalise on his missed time and win back a starting berth that has alluded him since the 2021 Munster final.

If he continues in the form he has started with, there will be no doubting his place in the XV, regardless of availability elsewhere.

Mixed day for fringe players

Limerick’s side was experimental to say the least with just three of the All-Ireland winning XV from July 2022 remaining. Dan Morrissey was relocated to centre back with Darragh O’Donovan at midfield and Tom Morrissey at wing-forward. Elsewhere it was all change with four full debutants as mentioned above. In defence, Aaron Costello was as solid as you expect from the Kilmallock native. His club mate Robbie Hanley was a little quieter but his work rate was a constant if not as obvious as that of partner O’Donovan who got through a world of possession. Richie English was class personified.

It was a more difficult day for the forwards who struggled to gain a foothold in the contest as the Cork defence came out on top in most battles. Barry Murphy and Oisin O’Reilly were starved of possession with just a score each to their name as seasoned intercounty players. David Reidy was accurate from placed balls but couldn’t contribute from play following a stellar 2022 where he was so integral in the All-Ireland run.

Mark Quinlan was arguably the most impressive on show with the Garryspillane man back in contention following an injury last year. He rarely got things easy in Pairc Ui Rinn but handled the pressure well and showed great composure throughout. And with Diarmaid Byrnes away for the start of the League, there is a place for him.

Wayward shooting proves costly

Winning breeds momentum but it’s hard to argue that John Kiely and co will lose sleep over Sunday’s result. Limerick have used the Munster Hurling League to great effect in recent years but that is more down to the quality at disposal and coaching in the county that they have been able to win three of the last four titles with majority fringe players.

Nonetheless, the game was there for the taking late on but Limerick couldn’t find the target when needed most. That will be a clear issue to rectify going forward and something to work on ahead of a league campaign that starts with Cork. Last year’s league didn’t matter in the end but you can be sure Limerick will not want to head into the final round of the League awaiting a first win of the year as was the case in 2022.

And the 14 wides accumulated on Sunday will probably be the first stat that will be poured over in training this weekend as they aim for another perfect season.