Dowling: Cork's efficient third quarter key to victory

Shane Dowling highlighted Cork's third-quarter efficiency as being key to beating Limerick in Sunday's All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final at Croke Park.

Limerick held a 0-16 to 1-11 advantage at the break but it was Cork's accuracy at the beginning of the second half that helped them on their way to victory.

During the third quarter of the semi-final, Cork hit 13 points to Limerick's five, as the Rebels raced into a lead that Limerick would ultimately find unassailable.

Speaking on The Sunday Game, former Treaty forward Dowling explained how Cork turned the screw at the right time, just as Limerick had done many times during their period of All-Ireland dominance.

"Cork had 17 shots to Limerick's 11 during the third quarter," said Dowling. "13 points to five which is just amazing, and you see the shooting efficiency, 45% for Limerick."

During a package on Cork's efficiency during the period, Dowling highlighted how Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins' use of puck-outs was key and how the Cork defence produced some match-defining moments.

Shane Dowling explains how Cork made the third quarter their own, when that is so often the period when Limerick turn the screw
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"Collins varied the puck-outs, they weren't all long down the middle," said Dowling. "A super puck-out to (Darragh) Fitzgibbon, a little flick back to Brian Hayes who flicked it over the bar.

"It all came from a really well executed puck-out. Gearóid (Hegarty) obviously missed and then Aaron (Gillane) followed up but a super hook from Ciaran Joyce.

"The Rebel roar when Declan Dalton gets this ball and throws it over the bar. That goes out to five points and it could have been a one point if