Inside Track: Limerick lay down the law against the Rebels
WHEN Limerick hurlers are in this mood, woe betide any opposition. John Kiely's troops had more than an itch to scratch against Cork in Sunday's National League Final at the Gaelic Grounds and performed like men with a swarm of bees in their bonnet.
Six points was the least Limerick to deserved to win by and only for Diarmuid Byrnes' Easter present for Cork's only goal from Brian Hayes, the Rebels might have been routed before a near-capacity crowd.
Remarkably, this was Limerick's 18th triumph in 19 final appearances under Kiely and you could argue that the Shannonsiders didn't lose last year's Munster Final in the traditional sense as they only succumbed in the penalty shoot-out after extra-time.
Limerick were up for the battle more than Cork and turned it into a physical contest rather than free-wheeling exchanges which has characterised the teams' recent meetings. Will O'Donoghue took no prisoners at centre-back, while Aaron Gillane was unmarkable in their attack.
Although both Aidan O'Connor, who's free-taking lacked consistency, and Shane O'Brien struggled in the central positions, the long-serving Gearoid Hegarty repeatedly won the hard ball when his team most needed a lift.
Byrnes, apart from that untypical lapse, put in a powerful shift in the half-back line and clearly has no truck with the theory that his legs are gone. Adam English and Cathal O'Neill both had strong moments too; while you can see Kyle Hayes slowly regaining form after a protracted absence due to a neck injury.
In contrast, too many key Cork players were on the periphery of the action. Alan Connolly and Shane Barrett never got into the match, while the admirably Darragh Fitzgibbon – a natural midfielder – is hardly involved enough in a wing forward role.
Furthermore, the Cork defence again looked ragged. Substitute Ger Millerick was given a roasting by Gillane; while the fact that 33-year-old Damien Cahalane remains a rearguard option sums up their lack of quality back men. I would always have the sweet-striking Mark Coleman on the team, but he only came on as a second-half substitute against Limerick.
Without an All-Ireland title for over 20 years – an unimaginable statistic after their last championship triumph in 2005 – the scars of last season's second-half humiliation against Tipperary will only manifest themselves when Cork are drawn into a battle which goes down to the wire. After Sunday's eclipse, the Rebels have even more to prove.
The preceding Division Two final was a lukewarm affair. Clare didn't field at full-strength but still had too much for a Dublin outfit who frustratingly repeatedly turned over possession when trying to work the ball through the lines against the wind in the opening half.
Conor Donohue and Cian O'Sullivan led the Dublin resistance but they were surprisingly passive early on. In the Leinster championship, they will undoubtedly be competitive but just lack the slickness and cohesion of the elite teams.
Before we leave league Sunday, a few words on the officiating of Shane Hynes in the Division 1 Final. There were audible groans from both sets of supporters when he pulled for frees – notably, the push in the back – that are generally ignored in the championship. The Galway official was only applying the rules and it's a pity that more referees don’t have the same attitude. A foul is a foul whether it's the league or championship combat.
Grand National
After the Willie Mullins' stable monopolised the Aintree Grand National to an unprecedented degree 12 months ago, the Carlow-based yard will again be mob-handed in Aintree on Saturday. Last year's third Grangeclare West, which blundered at the last, is capable of going two places better this time.
But we prefer the chances of No Panic, which has already pulled off a notable double this season by winning both the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Coral Cup – formerly the Hennessy – at Newbury. A bold front-runner and accurate jumper, the much-improved 10-year-old mare will be suited by the marathon trip and any drop of rain which falls ahead of the big race will suit the Dan Skelton horse even more.
Connacht
It's ten years since Connacht won six matches on the trot, but their current great run continued at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday when they had too much firepower for the Sharks in the European Challenge Cup. Two tries from home-grown centre Cathal Forde were arguably the match's highlight.
The appointment of Stuart Lancaster as Head Coach is now really paying dividends and the players seem to be really enjoying their rugby. Connacht have a tough away assignment against another in-form team, Montpellier, in the quarter-finals this weekend, but in their current mood don't rule out the province extending their unbeaten run. Compared to Munster – in trouble on and off the field – there is a notable feelgood factor about the game out west these days.
After their battling 2-1 home win over Derry City – thanks to goals from David Hurley (a spectacular effort) and reserve Frantz Pierrot last Friday - Galway United looked in a whole heap of trouble when trailing Drogheda United 2-o after just 18 minutes in Monday's away Premier Division encounter.
But the Tribesmen ended up as the talk of the soccer fraternity's night when pulling off a mighty comeback in a 3-2 victory. A first-half goal from Francely Lomboto gave them hope and the visitors went on to take the spoils thanks to reserves Kris Twardek and Axel Piesold. All-told, one of United 's greatest wins in recent years.