Cork 2-24
Limerick 0-24
SECOND-HALF GOALS by Seamus Harnedy and Paudie O’Sullivan inspired Cork to victory over Limerick in today’s Munster senior hurling at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The Rebels claimed a six-point win to end their eight-year wait for a provincial senior crown and avenged last year’s defeat to Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds.
In a tight and absorbing match, the teams were level at 0-12 apiece at the interval. They were still tied at 0-18 apiece midway through the second-half when Harnedy struck in the 55th minute.
The goal was a wonderful solo effort by the 2013 Allstar as he gathered the ball, weaved through the Limerick defence and finished with aplomb.
That spurred Cork and the second goal arrived in the finale to seal victory. The score arrived courtesy of a superb turn and finish by half-time Cork substitute Paudie O’Sullivan. It was created by a great delivery by Daniel Kearney who had dispossessed Seamus Hickey out the field.
Cork advance to the All-Ireland semi-final stage on August 16th while Limerick must travel the backdoor route with a quarter-final date against Waterford or Wexford looming on July 27th.
Limerick had made an excellent start to the game with captain Donal O’Grady impressing as they went into a 0-8 to 0-4 lead by the 21st minute.
However Cork rallied to draw level at 0-8 apiece by the 28th minute when Alan Cadogan landed a quality point and they went 0-12 to 0-9 in front approaching the interval thanks to Conor Lehane.
It was Limerick who finished the first-half strongly as they reeled off three points in a row from Mulcahy, Browne and Dowling as the teams were tied at 0-12 apiece at the break.
The second half continued to provide huge entertainment and the teams traded points as the game ebbed and flowed. But Cork fired home those two crucial goals and despite the marksmanship of Shane Dowling, who notched 0-12, Limerick suffered a six point loss.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-8 (0-6f), Seamus Harnedy 1-2, Conor Lehane 0-5, Paudie O’Sullivan 1-1, Alan Cadogan 0-3, Aidan Walsh, Bill Cooper 0-2 each, Anthony Nash 0-1 (0-1f).Scorers for Limerick: Shane Dowling 0-12 (0-9f), Graeme Mulcahy 0-3, Donal O’Grady 0-2, Paudie O’Brien, Wayne McNamara, James Ryan, Paul Browne, Kevin Downes, David Breen, Declan Hannon 0-1each.
CORK
1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)
5. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
2. Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown)
4. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers)
7. Lorcan McLoughlin (Kanturk)
6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
3. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
8. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields)
9. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
12. Seamus Harnedy (St Itas)
11. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
10. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
14. Patrick Cronin (Bishopstown)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
Subs
26. Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne) for Cronin (half-time)
19. William Egan (Kilbrin) for Cahalane (43)
23. Stephen Moylan (Douglas) for Cadogan (69)
LIMERICK
1. Nicky Quaid (Effin)
4. Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
2. Tom Condon (Knockaderry)
5. Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock)
6. Wayne McNamara (Adare)
7. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock)
8. James Ryan (Garryspillane)
9. Paul Browne (Bruff)
15. David Breen (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry)
10. Declan Hannon (Adare)
13. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
12. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh)
Subs
17. Stephen Walsh (Glenroe) for O’Brien (52)
19. Sean Tobin (Murroe-Boher) for Hannon (55)
18. Cathal King (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Mahony (65)
22. Thomas Ryan (South Liberties) for Downes (68)
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)
