Munster final tactical analysis: Cork must be sharper with puckouts against Limerick

A Rivalry Renewed

The Limerick-Cork rivalry has grown fierce, with both sides trading wins in recent seasons. Limerick’s recent display highlighted their clinical edge, while Cork’s two wins last year keep the rivalry burning. The passing network reveals Limerick’s familiar attacking shape, with O’Brien and Gillane inside and David Reidy playing a selfless role behind the opposition number 6, creating space on both inside flanks.

Passing Network Snapshot

The graphic shows Limerick’s structured build-up, with Nicky Quaid linking frequently with Gearoid Hegarty on puckouts. Central players like O’Donoghue, English and Lynch drive the link play, while David Reidy connects midfield to inside forwards O’Brien and Gillane. The spread reflects Limerick’s balance, width, depth and tactical cohesion.

Primary Distribution Hub

The graphic highlights Limerick’s structured build-up, with Nicky Quaid central to restarts and frequently targeting Gearóid Hegarty – 13 times against Cork – to exploit his aerial strength. Midfielders like O’Donoghue and Lynch link play, while David Reidy connects the middle third to inside forwards O’Brien and Gillane. Cork’s man-to-man puckout set-up below in picture left exploitable space, as seen when Tom Morrissey switched wings, dragging Mark Coleman across and freeing Hegarty to attack the open channel.

On the Limerick puckout, Tom Morrissey creates space for Hegarty to run into

Midfield Engine

Cian Lynch, Adam English and Will O’Donoghue are central cogs in transition play. Their network links connect both flanks and drive Limerick’s ball progression into attack. Adam English supports this pattern, with multiple interactions through the centre channel, particularly linking with Lynch. In the previous round, below we see Adam English support run which leads to Limerick’s second goal.

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Half-Back Line Influence and Barry Nash’s Role

Limerick’s half-back line continues to be the bedrock of their structured build-up, with Barry Nash playing a critical dual role – acting as both key focus in terms of distribution and transition from defence to attack. The passing network illustrates his positioning just behind the midfield line, where he receives and recycles possession efficiently. Nash’s lateral passing and calm under pressure help maintain Limerick’s shape, and his link play with Mike Casey and Tom Morrissey on the left channel allows Limerick to switch the point of attack fluidly.

Injury Concerns and Squad Depth

Cork face key injury concerns, with Ger Millerick ruled out and doubts over Niall O’Leary, Declan Dalton, and captain Rob Downey, raising questions about their defensive stability. In contrast, Limerick have a clean bill of health and a deeper bench – with Declan Hannon and Colin Coughlan in defence, Darragh O’Donovan in midfield, and impact forwards like Cathal O’Neill, Peter Casey, and Aidan O’Connor all contributing strongly off the bench.

Limerick’s Masterclass

Limerick’s performance was a showcase in structured aggression and controlled execution. The foundation was laid from deep, where Nicky Quaid once again proved pivotal in orchestrating restarts with precision and adaptability. Retaining 57 per cent of their own puckouts, Limerick controlled the rhythm of the contest from the outset.

What made their puckout strategy so effective was its variation. When Cork pressed high, Limerick opted for short, sharp deliveries to players like Barry Nash or Dan Morrissey, allowing them to build through the lines. When space opened further out, Quaid had the vision and accuracy to target aerial runners like Gearóid Hegarty or O’Neill, both of whom are elite in contesting and winning primary possession.

This dual-threat approach created constant uncertainty for Cork’s defence and severely limited their ability to establish any sort of press. A telling example came in the second half: Mark Coleman, having drifted across the pitch to take a sideline ball, sent it wide – a wasted opportunity.

Mark Coleman takes the sideline cut wide; O'Neill tracks him and stays facing the sideline

From the resulting puckout, Cathal O’Neill loses Coleman in the middle third, gathered possession, and within seconds Limerick had turned that moment into a point. It was a passage that encapsulated Limerick’s ruthless ability to punish even minor lapses – turning defensive restarts into scoring chances with minimal fuss.

Quaid takes a quick puckout to O'Neill, Coleman has lost him and the move ends in a score

Once in possession, Limerick were measured and efficient, converting 74 per cent of their shots – including 82 per cent from play – thanks to smart decision-making and shot selection. Aaron Gillane led the way with 2-7 (1-0 pen, 0-6 frees), while Tom Morrissey added 0-5 and Adam English struck 1-2. Impressively, 11 players scored from play, reflecting a team in full synchrony, with sharp link-up play and effective switching to break Cork’s defensive shape.

Cork’s Collapse

In contrast, Cork was overwhelmed in key areas. The most telling indicator was their puckout retention – just 47 per cent, meaning more than half of their restarts were either turned over or fiercely contested. Without clean possession, Cork struggled to establish rhythm or field position, and their defence was constantly under siege.

Offensively, it was disjointed. Cork managed just 0-8 from play, a stark indicator of their struggles to create space or sustained attacking phases. Their 54 per cent shot conversion rate painted a picture of rushed, low-percentage attempts – many coming under pressure or from poor angles as the game began to slip away.

Brian Hayes, who had been a key figure in Cork’s earlier championship games, was completely nullified by Dan Morrissey, who dominated the aerial battle and repeatedly broke up Cork’s attacking flow. With Hayes out of the picture, Cork lacked a focal point and failed to adjust, often resorting to speculative efforts from distance.

What it means for the rematch

Saturday’s Munster final offers Cork a shot at redemption, but they’ll need sharper puckout execution, stronger midfield link play, and more cutting edge up front. Limerick, re-energised and tactically sharp, will look to replicate their blend of control and ruthlessness. Last time, Cork was out-thought and outclassed – now they must respond with structure, leadership, and clinical execution.