Cork overcame Limerick at Pairc ui Chaoimh where the lack of championship atmosphere was clearly evident, for what reason I don’t know , it could have been the lovely sunny day that prevailed or the fact that Cork supporters would have to give their 4th Sunday in a row supporting the rebels, or was it that Limerick were supposed to arrive and surrender without a fight.
The match was played at good pace where Limerick matched in 3 or 4 positions of the field ,Cork with 75% of the team well in control were able to play at a tempo which would be more familiar with a training session, when you add on the fact that Limerick were reduced to 14 men due to the sending off of one of their players. The score at half time was Cork 1 – 9 Limerick 0 – 6 , Pat Horgan had two attempts from penalties in this half , scoring from the 1st effort ,his second one was well saved .
Overall Corks half back line was well on top with Ronan Curran mopping up a lot of open field ball. Niall McCarthy was named man of the match by Joe Deane on TV3 , and rightly so, because not alone did he score 5 points from play but his general game in passing and execution of shots was played at high standards, as would be expected from Munster senior championship hurling. All the other Cork forwards contributed their share and Paudie O’ Sullivan scored a peach of a goal after a solo run which he finished off by reducing his grip on the hurley and hitting the ball with a table tennis type serve to the net. Limerick despite having to field without some of their more senior players , battled hard and had Tom O’ Brien at midfield with 6 points and Gareth Mulcahy with 3 points from corner forward . The referee controlled the game well. Cork progress to the Munster Final to face Waterford on the 11th of July.
By:Hawkeye

Popularity: 31%

The Cork Senior Hurling team will play Limerick in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Sunday the 20th of June which will take place at Pairc Ui Chaoimh with throw in taking place at 4pm.
The Cork team is as follows:
(Limerick Team Below Cork Team)

1. Donal Og Cusack (Cloyne)
2. Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown)
3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
4. Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers)
5. John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Ronan Curran (St. Finbarrs)
7. Sean Og O hAilpin (Na Piarsaigh)
8. Tom Kenny (Grenagh)
9. Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum)
10. Ben O’Connor (Newtownshandrum)
11. Jerry O’Connor (Newtownshandrum)
12. Niall McCarthy (Carrigtwohill)
13. Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields – Capt.)
14. Aisake O hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
Subs:
16. Martin Coleman (Ballinhassig)
17. Shane Murphy (Erins Own)
18. Eoin Dillon (Milford)
19. Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields)
20. Ray Ryan (Sarsfields)
21. Michael Walsh (Kildorrery)
22. Lorcan McLoughlin (Kanturk)
23. Michael Cussen (Sarsfields)
24. Paudie O’ Sullivan (Cloyne)
25. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)
26. Mark O Sullivan (Dripsey)
27. Graham Callanan (Glen Rovers)
28. William Egan (Kilbrin)
29. Luke O’Farrell (Midleton)
30. Pa Cronin (Bishopstown)

Limerick Team:
1.T Flynn
2.S O’Neill
3.D Breen
4.K O’Rourke
5.S Riordan
6.B O’Sullivan
7.P Browne
8.T O’Brien
9.A Brennan
10.J O’Brien,
11.P McNamara
12.S Herlihy
13.G Mulcahy
14.A Owens
15.R McKeogh.

Popularity: 31%

This eagerly anticipated rematch in Munster Senior football championship fully lived up to expectations with Kerry just getting their nose in front after extra time.
Cork had 2 early points from frees before Bryan Sheehan opened Kerry’s account with a pointed free. Daniel Coulding scored the only goal of the first half when he robbed the Kerry keeper after he came out and took a high ball. The first half was notable for about 4 yellow cards to Cork players also the introduction of Paul Galvin to the Kerry team after 20 mins increased the overall tempo , Cork led 1 – 6 to Kerry 0 – 5 at the break.

Kerry had a goal within 2 mins of the restart , a great goal scored by Donaghy after a sharp moving build up. The match was evenly contested for most of this half with Cork slightly having the edge, but Kerry were always capable of scoring when the ball got into Cooper & Donaghy, the game was heading towards a draw as the game entered the last 10 mins , but not before Canty was yellow carded for a second time ,resulting in Cork being reduced to 14 players , at full time it was 1 – 11 to each side.
The extra time was more of the same tense competive football with Pierse O’ Neill showing leadership on the Cork side, however Kerry had more leaders with will o de wisp Colm Cooper unplayable ,add in substitite Paul Galvin and Darren OSullivan. Cork’s most likely matchwinner Daniel Goulding was replaced before end of normal time which was surprising having improved his performance immeasureably from the first day, however Paul Kerrigan performance was below his usual best . This contest fought over 2 games and extra time showed the gap between both teams to be almost nil, The referee may have erred more against Cork at some critical moments ,however Cork can go forward with confidence to contest the next round. Hawkeye

Popularity: 30%

The Cork team to play Kerry in the Senior Football replay on Sunday has been announced.
The game will take place in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday the 13th June, the game will commence at 2 P.M due to a time change for media purposes.
Team:
1.Alan Quirke
2.Ray Carey
3.Graham Canty
4.Jamie O Sullivan
5.Noel O Leary
6.Michael Shields
7.Paudie Kissane
8.Alan O Connor
9.Aidan Walsh
10.Pearse O Neill
11.Donncha O Connor
12.Paddy Kelly
13.Daniel Goulding
14.Ciaran Sheehan
15.Paul Kerrigan

Subs:

Paddy O Shea
Eoin Cadogan
Eoin Cotter
Fintan Gould
John Hayes
Derek Kavanagh
Fiachra Lynch
Kevin McMahon
John Miskella
Kieran O Connor
Conor O Driscoll
Paul O Flynn
Colm O Neill
Brian O Regan
Ger Spillane

Popularity: 31%

Cork 0 -15 Kerry 0 – 15
The outcome of today’s Munster senior football semi final always hung in the balance and the draw
seemed to please both managers ( or did it ?) You could say that the referee influenced the final
result with a few questionable decisions near the end, however both teams could have the same
grief, and in general they were equally treated during the entire match.
Kerry impressed and dominated the early exchanges and led by 3 points to nil , at this stage,
Kerry’s blanket defence controlled the game until they probably ran out gas, they are about 70 or 75%
fit at the moment and like last year they will hope to be reaching maximum capacity by September.
After the Kerry blow-out Cork took a firm grip in the middle of the park and allowed little ball into
the twin treat of Donaghy and Cooper. At the break Cork led by 0 – 8 to Kerry 0 – 6.
Cork doubled the lead within 2 mins of the start of the second half and seemed to maintain a few
points advantage with about 15 minutes left on the watch. As in the first period of the first half,
Kerry dominated the closing exchanges scoring 5 of the last 6 points, Tomas 0 Shea even managed
to get up field to register some points despite a below par display, he will have to shed about a kilo a
week if he needs to repeat his All Ireland performance of last year. Paudie Kissane showed how a
good work rate and his 3 points were all from long range and superbly executed. Paul Kerrigan
chipped in with a few points and was unlucky not to have scored a few goals, his battle with Mark
0′ Shea was intriguing. Bryan Sheehan had some excellent scores for Kerry.
Having listened to some commentaries by RTE panel after the game, there has been a challenge
thrown down to the Cork forward line especially Darragh 0 Connor and Daniel Coulding. They
have not played to their ability in the big games when the chips are down. I am quite sure that both
players were disappointed with today’s performance but I am sure they will both be back with a
performance when it matters to make the panel eat their words.
Adrian Walsh started the game winning possession on at least three occasions before handing it to a
Kerryman, one could be forgiven for thinking this ball was made of soap, his leg work was pretty
rough too, however I saw he possessed a good appetite and zest to play and looked nimble
enough, when he emerges from that foam of soap, It is possible he could be an ace for Cork in the
future and who knows maybe this year.
Cork are probably a little ahead of Kerry in the fitness stakes, but unlike last year, I think they have
more in the tank like Kerry, roll on the replay and some more mind games.
By: Hawkeye

Popularity: 21%

The Cork Senior Football team are set for their first test of championship when they play Kerry on Sunday the 6th of June in the Munster Semi-Final which will take place in Killarney with throw in at 4pm. The team is as below:

1. Alan Quirke (Valley Rovers)
2. Ray Carey (Clyda Rovers)
3. Graham Canty (Bantry Blues – Capt)
4. Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown)
5. Noel O’Leary (Cill na Martra)
6. Michael Shields (St. Finbarr’s)
7. Paudie Kissane (Clyda Rovers)
8. Alan O’Connor (St. Colum’s)
9. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
10. Pearse O’Neill (Aghada)
11. Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
12. Paddy Kelly (Ballincollig)
13. Daniel Goulding (Eire Og)
14. Ciaran Sheehan (Eire Og)
15. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)

Subs:
16. Paddy O’Shea (St. Vincents)
17. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
18. Eoin Cotter (Douglas)
19. Fintan Goold (Macroom)
20. John Hayes (Carbery Rangers)
21. Derek Kavanagh (Nemo Rangers)
22. Fiachra Lynch (Valley Rovers)
23. Kevin McMahon (Carbery Rangers)
24. John Miskella (Ballincollig)
25. Kieran O’Connor (Aghada)
26. Conor O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers)
27. Paul O’Flynn (Ballyclough)
28. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
29. Brian O’Regan (Nemo Rangers)
30. Ger Spillane (Ballygarvan)

Popularity: 34%