***** After the disquiet sparked by the fixture arrangements for these quarter-finals, the action that unfolded confirmed one suspicion – lunchtime hurling is not a concept that looks like it will catch fire. Cork against Dublin was a game largely drained of colour, a lacklustre tie that ended in a five-point win for Pat Ryan’s team. The victorious manager readily agreed it was not a contest that ever truly ignited.
“I suppose it was a bit dead. I think you could see, it’s very hard to have a really high-standard match at quarter past one on a Saturday and that’s what we saw. It was devoid of energy all over the place.
“In fairness to Dublin, they play a very good running game and it’s hard to get traction at times and they shoot from distance. It becomes a bit congested and a bit unorthodox, really.” Given their season was on the brink after the opening two rounds in Munster, Cork will be heartened to have strung together four wins on the spin.
Their two displays over the last week have been more subdued. The Dalton-Barrett-Harnedy half-forward line excelled in the opening half, Patrick Horgan was sharp from the off. Cork’s form noticeably dipped in the final quarter as Dublin chipped away at the deficit.
After 15 goals in five games, this was the first championship tie where Cork drew a blank. The scope for improvement is clear, it will be needed given the obstacle that is coming down the tracks in Limerick. Amidst the dejection of another Munster final lo.
