“Cork created a lot of scoring chances and probably should have been more up at half-time in my opinion. Being eight down at half-time, there was a chance. We’ve been in that situation before. We had every confidence in ourselves to turn it around.

“We started the second half extremely well. Got a good platform together, really solid off of their puckout. Good press on them. Created some good turnovers, accurate in our shooting. Took control of the game. We found energy, lots of energy all over the pitch.

“We lost Seán (Finn - hamstring). We lost Declan (Hannon). These were all setbacks obviously. To be fair to the lads who came on they fought manfully, and contributed hugely. We put ourselves in a position to win the game, we were four points up. We should have closed out the game. We didn’t, and that is on us. We had plenty of chances to deal with that ball (penalty) on the far side, and we paid the price.” 

On that decisive penalty, the manager was unable to offer an opinion.

“I haven’t seen that piece. I’ve no comment on that. The issue should have been at the other end of the field because we scored a point and we almost got punished because the puck out was literally as the ball went over the bar. There was no whistle. It is what it is. That shouldn’t be the talking point of the game really.” 

Limerick left themselves with a mountain to climb against Clare in the first round. The same scenario against Cork. Kiely said they can’t keep doing that.

“You can’t do this everyday. You are putting too much pressure on yourself. The game is 75/80 minutes long, not 35. The first half was very, very disappointing. We have two weeks to regroup. Two weeks to fill ourselves up with energy. Two weeks to come back to the table and glad to be going back to the Gaelic Grounds to have that opportunity (against Waterford).

“It is a four-game competition. Everything is not won or lost here tonight. We’ve done this to other teams in the past. Tonight is our turn to face the medicine. We did it to Clare in Ennis and came late with a couple of scores to win. Cork came late tonight to win it. I think we have to accept it. You cannot get away with trying to do this all the time. You have to be more consistent.

“There is nobody looking towards a Munster final, I can assure you of that. That is the furthest thing from our minds, we need to get two points on the board the next day. That’s the bottom line for us. We are back in that mindset now where we know what we need to do. We need to win our match the next day. Four points won’t be enough.” 

Trying to communicate with players on the field is an on-going issue, according to the manager.

“In the modern game, you are not allowed to get messages onto the pitch. There isn’t much need for coaches anymore, maybe we should stay at home and watch it. It is a difficulty. What sport in the world doesn’t allow communication with the players that are participating. It is pure bonkers. It is the same for every county. Pat Ryan must feel the same. You can’t get a message onto the pitch. 44,000 people going baloobas. You can’t hear from six feet away.

“Here we are destroying our vocal cords, I hope they have a fine pot of money put aside for the big claims. Maybe they should have a rethink of what they are doing. Rugby, soccer and of these games, you can easily get a message into the players. I think every GAA manager and coach is frustrated beyond belief you cannot get a message - even three in a half.

“Listen that is no sour grapes on my part. Cork got two great scores to come back and win it. Fair play to them.”