I'm not sure I'd put it quite as strongly as that, but you're right that the team do take too much out of the ball, especially around the half-back line. Great when it works, but too often the ball was going to a man already marked, or the man in possession tries to break one tackle too many. In the first twenty minutes or so Limerick seemed to be getting a lot of turnovers or at least slowing Cork down, only for some dreadful shooting they would probably have been level before Kingston's first goal.
That said, there were far more positives than negatives. The scoreline at ht flattered Cork, but their use of the ball in Limerick's half, the off-the-ball movement and the shooting were all excellent. Lehane and especially Barrett worked like dogs, the latter got on some amount of ball. Keane was very quiet, not much ball seemed to go his way but I would rather Twomey or O'Brien start next day out. There's a couple of positions to be nailed down in the forwards and I think they need to look at the other comparable options.
The midfield balance with Fitz and Joyce is v nice, Fitz bombing forward and Joyce sweeping back, together with Millerick he provided a lot of cover to Coleman. I still have my doubts about Coleman at 6 but if he is going to go there it is crucial that he gets that extra support. Daire O'Leary was solid, not exceptional but a reasonable debut.
On Limerick, I very much doubt they were taking it easy. I imagine what's worrying Kiely is the failure of newer players to step forward to claim a spot or even put pressure on the starting XV. I wouldn't be writing off the likes of O'Neill just yet, but apart from his goal yesterday he didn't look up to speed.
They sign the best athletes to compete in a sport where Keane has all the attributes to play, much like football here. To be honest your comparison is kind of mute as so many Irish male players have made zero impact on the sport there and come home. Great athletes don't necessary make you a great aussie rules player or hurler for that matter.
