Ronan McCarthy hails Cork 'character and resilience'

Ronan McCarthy watched as his side bounced back with an impressive showing

Cork manager Ronan McCarthy hailed his side's character following their impressive win over Limerick, but said they still have a long way to go if they are to challenge Kerry in the Munster final.

The Rebels endured a torrid National League campaign, suffering relegation from Division 2. Add Limerick's shock win over Tipperary into the mix, and many were suggesting an upset was on the cards in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening.

Cork didn't entertain such talk, bursting into a 3-7 to 0-0 lead within minutes of throw-in.

"The players have responded from a really, really difficult league campaign," said McCarthy after the game.

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"They've shown great character and resilience to recover from it, and it was a disappointment. [They had to] dust themselves down and put a run together of wins between the league, challenge games and now the championship.

"We've now won seven out of our last eight matches now, under whatever guise they were."

Focus now turns to the Munster decider in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with old foes Kerry coming to town. Given how last year's provincial decider played out, there is an appetite within the Rebel County to put that 17-point defeat to bed.

"We can't replay the game from last year, the manner in which we lost it whether it was a point or 15," mused McCarthy.

"We focused on our job tonight, and exorcising demons and all that, that's for another day.

"Cork haven't beaten a top eight team since 2012, and until we do that, the question marks are going to be there."

Limerick were beaten by 21 points

Meanwhile, Limerick boss Billy Lee said the Munster Championship was a mixed bag for his side.

"We had the advent of beating Tipp - that was a new venture for these lads and how they handled it," he said.

"We're not as bad as we were out there today (Saturday). That's a given. I wouldn't be saying we're better than Cork, or any of that silly talk, but we're not as bad as we showed here tonight.

"We learned a lesson. We understand, we grow and we move on."

Billy Lee feels his side are moving in the right direction

The Treaty will now enter the second round of the qualifiers.

"We have to bounce back, in performance terms," he continued.

"We're about developing. It's bigger than the Cork game. It's bigger than the next game. It's a journey, you're learning, you're pulling things together. We'll bounce back. I've enough faith in the fellas."

Sky Sports' live GAA coverage continues on Saturday, June 8 as Cork host Waterford in the Munster Hurling Championship.

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