Munster Review

Clare v Cork

This Munster Championship clash delivered another instant classic in what has become a golden era for the province. Cork surged into a 12-point halftime lead, dominating all facets of play, but Clare roared back with a ferocious second-half comeback that nearly resulted in a famous win.

Cork led 2-15 to 0-9 at the break thanks to goals from Brian Hayes, who caused havoc inside. However, Clare responded with three second-half goals from Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy, and Peter Duggan, shifting momentum entirely. Deep in added time, Reidy edged Clare in front before Declan Dalton’s controversial free salvaged a dramatic draw for Cork. Is was the preverable game of two halves as the sending of Shane Barrett mid way through the second half change momentum in the last 15 minutes in Clare’s favour. The story of the first half was Cork’s supremacy on their puckout and their ability to get in quick ball to their inside trio of Hayes, Horgan and Connolly. We can see in the graph below Cork’s puckout pattern was predominantly on the left as Clare offered up that side of the pitch.

Cork Puckouts 1st half Cork Shots from play 1st half

Big men are now dominating at the edge of the square, with Brian Hayes, Peter Duggan and Arron Shanagher are dominating the skies. This lends itself to excitement and outstanding fielding and sublimes piece of skills from forwards ability to switch to either hand to catch ball. Clare’s issue apart from the breeze was their inability to protect the D, above as we can see the number of shots around their goal. Their man to man defensive system enables forwards to go one v one, but with someone like Brian Hayes(first goal) you need defensive cover to help defenders, as we can see below.

Clare’s Second Half Revival and Cork’s Collapse After the Red Card

Clare produced a remarkable second-half turnaround, overcoming a sluggish opening period to seize control of the game and ultimately overpower Cork. The shift in momentum was both tactical and psychological, amplified by Cork’s numerical disadvantage following a crucial sending-off, of Barrett.

Clare’s Tactical Shift and Energy Surge

In the first half, Clare struggled to assert themselves, often second-best in breaking ball situations and struggling to establish clean possession off puck-outs. However, the second half saw a reinvigorated Clare side emerge from the dressing room. Their midfield began to dominate, linking effectively with the half-forward line to apply consistent pressure on the Cork defence and direct deliveries inside were bearing fruit with 3 goals. Why was Damien Cahalane not used as was the case in the league to deal with Peter Duggan? A switch that Pat Ryan may use if they reach a Munster final? Secondly, leaving Robert Downey at centre back with a heavily strapped knee, Downey was clearly in trouble at the start of the second half, he was not able to track David Reidy for the crucial second goal of a break(puckout) from Duggan.

Below we can on the left see Clare scores from play. The dark grey nodes, emphasise their three goals, whilst the lighter grey empahsis Clare’s points in the second half. The black nodes are balls lost after second phase of puckouts, lost by either by poor pass or turnover in possession by good Cork tackling.

Clare Puckouts 2nd Half Clare scores 2nd half from Play

Sending of changed momentum in favour of Clare

With the sending off it allowed Clare to take short puckout’s yellow(nodes), thus enabling their deliveries over Cork’s half backs and hit their twin towers of Duggan and Shanagher.

Key Takeaways

Both teams finished with identical overall conversion rates (66%), but got there in different ways.
Cork were more efficient from play (66% vs Clare’s 60%), showing sharper execution in open play.
Clare outperformed on placed balls (75% vs Cork’s 72%), which proved critical in such a tight contest.
Clare’s balanced scoring (from both play and frees) was a key to staying in the game, especially in the second half.
Clare’s bench had a bigger impact, with Galvin(0-2) and Shanagher ball winning ability(frees won) in particular, doing better than Kingston and Dalton.

Tipp and Limerick Serve Up Classic in Munster Opener
Tipperary and Limerick delivered a thrilling start to the 2025 Munster Senior Hurling Championship as they played out a pulsating 2-23 to 2-23 draw at FBD Semple Stadium. In a match brimming with intensity, turnovers, and tactical shifts, both sides had moments of dominance but ultimately cancelled each other out in a game that ebbed and flowed right until the final whistle. With standout performances across the field and drama throughout, the contest lived up to its heavyweight billing and laid down a marker for the championship to come.

Both teams attacking style differed in terms of methodology, with Tipp loading the middle third and attacking Limerick through turnovers and running the ball with accurate off loads and running angles. From the graph on the right below we can see white markers(points from play) dotted around the arc, Eoghan Connolly’s (4) long range frees also deserves a notable mention for accuracy in the first half, Tipp had a staggering total of 0-16 at half time. They had a total of 32 shots in the game, scoring 25(78%) efficiency, 16(78%) out of 21 shots from play were scored, whilst 9 out of 11(81%) shots from frees were executed, high totals in terms of accuracy, based on the conditions.

Tipp Puckouts 1st half Tipp Scores 1st half

Puckouts on the left above(1st half) suggest that Tipp’s dominated their own puckout’s through yellow markers (dots) and yellow (x’s). More importantly it was their shape that upset Limerick’s approach with Tipp’s tactic of crowding the middle third stopping Limerick from building play and supplying ball to their inside line, through hard tackling and leaving one forward inside at times we can see that Tipp had joy in turning over Limerick and creating scores.

The black nodes (6) within the puckout graph suggest work is needed on their second phase of puckout, when they work the ball out short. This was either a missed pass or turnovers, whereby a Tipp player was not quick enough to release the ball. From these black nodes(markers) is whereby Limerick are at their most dangerous, hiitting teams on the break. Today’s game is about chaos in the middle third and moving ball out of this zone, coaches must replicate this in their coaching during preseason and reinforce it during the year. Tipp contrary to opinion have athleticism and running power. Deft of hand or tennis pass off the hurl moving ball at angles was evident in Tipp’s brilliant second team goal, even though Kinnerk won’t be happy with Adam English’s role with the sideline(turnover) straight to Noel McGrath leading to the goal.

Key Takeaways: Tipperary

Massive Workrate and Turnover Pressure
Tipp created 29 turnovers in their own half and forced Limerick into chaotic possessions. Their pressure game and midfield tracking disrupted Limerick’s rhythm and set the tone.
Evolved Puckout Strategy Paid Off
Known for direct deliveries, Tipp adjusted their puckout strategy — limiting long balls into the full-forward line and instead building through the middle third. It helped control possession and reduce Limerick’s counterattacks.

Tactical Patience and Puckout Adaptation

With Nickie Quaid back in goal, Limerick’s puckout strategy regained its fluency. Quaid mixed short and medium restarts with direct deliveries, targeting mismatches and exposing gaps in Tipp’s press. While Tipperary managed to disrupt a number of puckouts — a rare achievement against Limerick — the champions retained composure in the build-up and transitioned effectively from deep. Quaid’s return was evident in the Limericks first goal with Brian O’Meara run up field and point leaving him out of position. With Tipp’s defence now unbalanced(O’Meara yellow circle in 2nd picture), Quaid’s quick puckout led to goal opportunity to which Adam English expertedly converted.

Return to Familiar Shape with Hayes Up Top

John Kiely’s side reverted to their more traditional structure, reinstating the tried-and-tested half-forward line of Tom Morrissey, Gearóid Hegarty, and Kyle Hayes, which added stability, physicality, and directness to their attacking build-up. One of the most significant tweaks was deploying Kyle Hayes at centre-forward, a move that could have major implications as the championship progresses.

Hayes’s ball-winning ability and sheer athleticism gave Limerick a consistent outlet under pressure. In the chaos of rucks and contested possession, Hayes frequently emerged with ball in hand, setting the tone for second-phase attacks. His direct running at the heart of Tipp’s defence was relentless and disruptive — a nightmare for any centre-back when he holds a high position and drives at pace.

Unlike when he’s stationed deeper, Hayes’s presence in the central channel forced Tipperary to compact their defensive shape, which in turn opened up spaces in wider channels for the likes of Morrissey and Hegarty. If Limerick keep Hayes high and central, it could redefine how opposition defences are forced to set up against them.

Key Takeaways: Limerick

Scoring Still Strong Despite Rust
Limerick hit 2-14 from play with contributions across the board. Even with uncharacteristic handling errors and 76 total turnovers in the match, they found scores consistently — a mark of a seasoned side
Defensive Adjustments Needed
Tipperary’s two goals exposed moments of disorganisation. Limerick’s typically solid transition defence looked vulnerable at times, particularly under direct running and quick interplay.
Kyle Hayes at Centre-Forward is a Game-Changer
Hayes was dominant at #11 — winning primary possession, powering through rucks, and running directly at the heart of Tipp’s defence. If he continues to stay high and central, he’ll cause serious problems for any opposition centre-back.