Evening Echo
by John Horgan
25th February 2003

National Hurling League
Cork 0-15    Limerick 0-14
Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 23rd Feb 2003

First real working day at the office for Cork's new hurling management and a few things to ponder upon before the potentially hazardous trip down to Slaneyside on Sunday 9th March to confront Wexford.

Yielding a dividend from that assignment has never been easy and it's likely to be a similar story this time.

And it's also likely that in the physical stakes the questions won't be any easier either.

But forewarned is forearmed and last Sunday's examination by Limerick will not have done Cork any harm at all.

For an opening performance it was reasonably satisfying for Donal O'Grady and his selectors and considering the fact that the emphasis on hurling has been limited since their tenure began, there is cautious grounds for optimism.

As O'Grady, quite rightly, pointed out afterwards there were some things that pleased him and a few things that didn't.

There is no doubt he must have been deligthed with the return from Ronan Curran in the centre-back position.

Ben O'Connor in action for Cork against Limerick in the National Hurling League, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 23rd Feb 2003.   (Photo: Wesley Burke)

One swallow never made a summer, but a positive beginning from the young Barr's man was encouraging in the extreme in a position that has caused its fair share of problems in recent times.

The midfield partnership of Mickey O'Connell and Derek Barrett didn't set the world on fire although in the latter's case he must be deemed unlucky to have been called ashore.

Niall McCarthy scored two fine points and had one bad miss, but he was one of Cork's better attackers and he never allowed Limerick captain Mark Foley any leeway.

Alan Browne took three good points from the left corner-forward slot and had a good first day with the captain's armband.

But there still needs to be more of a penetrative effort from the attack overall and it's likely that we'll see a change or two there for the Wexford game.

In the final analysis the most pleasing aspect of the day's proceedings for O'Grady must have been the wholehearted endeavour and the spirit that appears to be the consensus among the players.

It's far too early in the day to be making any type of prediction about what's likely to transpire but the away days in Wexford, Offaly and Thursles should give a greater insight into how things might pan out in the white heat of championship.

Scorers for Cork: A Browne 0-3, J Deane 0-3f, N McCarthy 0-2, J Gardiner 0-2f, B O'Connor and G O'Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: J Moran 0-3, E Foley 0-3f, J Meskell 0-3f, P Kirby 0-2 (0-1f), M Keane 0-1f, D Sheehan and M O'Brien 0-1 each.

CORK: D Og Cusack, W Sherlock, D O'Sullivan, C O'Connor, S Og O hAilpin, R Curran, J Gardiner, D Barrett, M O'Connell, N McCarthy, T McCarthy, E Fitzgerald, B O'Connor, J Deane, A Browne.
Subs: G O'Connor for Barrett, J Barrett for O'Connell, S McGrath for Fitzgerald.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan, D Reale, E Mulcahy, S McDonagh, E Foley, O Moran, M Foley, P Lawlord, S Lucey, J Moran, M O'Brien, N Moran, P Kirby, TJ Ryan, M Keane.
Subs: D Sheehan for Keane, J Meskell for N Moran, J O'Brien for M O'Brien.

Referee: M Wadding, Waterford.

Ben O'Connor in action for Cork against Limerick in the National Hurling League, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 23rd Feb 2003.   (Photo: Wesley Burke)