In another close Munster SHC encounter, it was Limerick who found their way through after a 3-25 to 1-30 win over Cork.
With both sides having 40 over shots at goal, one could argue this was a classic with both sides giving it their all.
It was more of a statement win for John Kiely's side who didn't give in on elimination in the All Ireland SHC.
Limerick's errant shooting
They had 49 shots overall, averaging one every 30 seconds if stoppage time is included, a remarkable stat in its own right.
The worry though was that they only converted 28 of those along with having 15 wides.
They had 14 wides against Tipperary last week too, highlighting a problem going on further into the championship.
Coincidently, their shot conversion percentage was the almost the exact same as last week, 58% v Tipp, 57% v Cork.
Aaron Gillane converted 6 out of 8 shots against Tipp but he couldn't repeat those heroics on Sunday, only scoring 5 out of 12.
There are still signs to Limerick's game that are a pale shadow to that of last year, a 72% shot conversion rate in the All Ireland final v Kilkenny being the barometer.
If they are to go on and complete the four in a row, their shooting is one angle that has to improved before the knockout stages, only game before that now is the Munster final against Clare.
One player who showed both quality and fight was 2023 Hurler of the Year, Diarmuid Byrnes.
1-4 in total but is wasn't just that, he was a key driver in the Limerick side that was crying out for it.
He was the main reason for them staying in the championship into June.
The turnover count was similar with Limerick winning 25 compared to Cork's 23, a testament to the rebels who fought all the way to the end.
Stats on todays Munster SHC Clash@LimerickCLG 3-25@OfficialCorkGAA 1-30 pic.twitter.com/iL4ARtRuQ6
— GAA Statsman (@gaa_statsman) May 28, 2023
Match-up mistakes again haunt Cork
It was a championship campaign where Cork will feel sickened on how they exited.
A draw against Tipperary, a one point defeats to Clare and Limerick are no disgraces by any stretch but there are still reasons as to why they lost their way in those games.
Last week, we talked about the wrong matchups by Cork against Clare, most notably Tommy O'Connell on Tony Kelly. Those problems flared up again this week.
Sean O'Donoghue, who has only just returned from injury, was tasked with marking Aaron Gillane and while they had a great battle, it was Gillane who had the last laugh.
The penalty, which Diarmuid Byrnes converted, was caused by a tussle involving the two, with Gillane coming out the right side.
The call itself may have been controversial but the fact they got in that position was worrying from a Cork point of view.
46 Limerick 3-15 Cork 0-20
Absorbing fare at the Gaelic Grounds
📺 https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY
💻 https://t.co/ThdYW020TW #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/KEfvdrhXWY— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 28, 2023
Damien Cahalane was on Seamus Flanagan and the Limerick man certainly got the better of the Castlehaven man, both goals in the first half came runs down the middle.
Flanagan outthought Cahalane for his goal and there was also a free conceded by the full back for touching the ball on the ground, pressure probably caused after the goals.
Seamus Flanagan blasts from close range for the opening goal.
Limerick needed it after good Cork momentum. Highlights from 9.30pm on #sundaygame
📺 Watch : https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
📱 Updates: https://t.co/ThdYW020TW pic.twitter.com/xqPv6JtRQg— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 28, 2023
One positive for Cork though was Patrick Horgan.
The 35 year-old scored 1-14 with a 100% shot accuracy, a marvelous performance from the Glen Rovers man.
Some of the scores from play he was taking and of course the goal were work of a genius.
His goal was an old fashioned pull, smart play from Horgan, who's team were desperate for a goal at the time.
Goal for Cork!
61' Limerick 3-22 Cork 1-24
📺 https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN
💻 https://t.co/nlf3mtg8r0 #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/bx7GXCCsWW— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 28, 2023
He is now at the time of writing the top scorer in championship history with 627 points (combining score amounts for goals and points).
There is some exiting players coming through in Cork but Pat Ryan needs to hold onto Hoggie for 2024.
Even in his mid 30s, he still has more to offer and can rouse the likes of Padraig Power, Alan Connolly and Shane Barrett succeed further into the future.
For Cork to get better in 2024, they need to get the matchups right, learning the lessons from this year for the next season.
For Limerick however, shooting will be the main name of the game for Kiely as they try to edge closer to last year's heights.
