Limerick versus Cork - Last five Championship meetings

LIMERICK and Cork have enjoyed a healthy rivalry in recent years and that is putting it mildly! The last five meetings have seen Limerick win four times and Cork just once.

John Kiely's men enjoyed a win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last year in the Munster SHC, the All-Ireland final in 2021, another win in Munster during the Covid affected championship and in the All-Ireland semi-final back in 2018.

Cork's only championship victory came in 2019 when they beat Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. In this article, I have a look back at all five meetings.

2022 Munster SHC - Limerick win by 2-25 to 1-17

Cork got the perfect start by scoring 1-2 without reply in the opening exchanges but Limerick soon hit back with goals from Aaron Gillane and Kyle Hayes soon put Limerick on the right track.

Six Diarmaid Byrnes points, three of which came from play, along with three from Gearóid Hegarty and two each from Cian Lynch, Barry Nash and Cathal O'Neill helped Limerick to an 11-point winning margin.

2021 - All-Ireland SHC Final - Limerick win by 3-32 to 1-22

In what was arguably the greatest ever performance in an All-Ireland final, Limerick romped to a 16-point win over the Rebels at Croke Park.

Three first half goals from Hegarty (2) and one from Gillane set Limerick on their way. Gillane added a further six points, while Cian Lynch gave a display for the ages with six stunning points. Peter Casey was well on his way to a man of the match performance with five points from play but his day was cut short by a knee injury. 

2021 - Munster SHC - Limerick win by 2-22 to 1-17

Two goals from Darragh O'Donovan and Kyle Hayes proved crucial as Limerick won by eight-points in the Munster semi-final at Semple Stadium.

The sides were level heading into the final moments of the first half but O'Donovan and Hayes raised green flags to give Limerick a big half-time lead. However, a big debt was owed to Nickie Quaid after a save from a Patrick Horgan penalty on 25 minutes.

2019 - Munster SHC - Cork win by 1-26 to 1-19

Cork got their only win in recent years after a virtuoso display by Horgan yielded 1-9 as they earned victory on by seven points at the Gaelic Grounds.

Graeme Mulcahy bagged a goal for Limerick but despite that, and nine points from Gillane, they were handed a defeat in their first championship game as All-Ireland champions under Kiely.

2018 - All-Ireland SHC semi-final - Limerick win by 3-32 to 2-31 (AET)

Where do you start? Cork led by six heading down the home stretch but Limerick remarkably came back. Nickie Quaid's now iconic save helps Limerick to extra-time.

Goals from Shane Dowling and Pat Ryan in the extra periods of play saw Limerick into their first All-Ireland final since 2007 and the 45-year famine ended with a win over Galway in the decider.