Kiely salutes players after win over Cork secures Munster final spot

LIMERICK are into yet another Munster SHC final following a one-point win over Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The victory, and that of Waterford’s one over Tipperary, sees John Kiely’s side into the decider against Clare on Sunday, June 11. 

In beating Cork, Limerick have now reached every Munster final since 2019 and have won the title each year they have contested it.

Limerick and Cork were level at the break but an excellent second half display the Treatymen home to victory.

Kiely cut a delighted figure when talking to reporters after the final whistle and has now guided Limerick to their fifth successive Munster final.

"It was one of those games that ebbed and flowed," Kiely said after the game. "We had our purple patches where we were strong and Cork had the same.

"They were very efficient. I think we created the more scoring chances over the game than Cork but their efficiency was really high.

"We knew going into the second half that even though they may not get as much ball, they will be very efficient.

"We had to really try and get on top and dominate. We did that for long periods and then they came into their own, as they have done all year.

"I can only just salute the resilience and the tenacity of our guys to just keep doing the right thing and keep going after it. 

"We had a few wides in that period of time and that maybe would have seen us more comfortably across the line. We kept after it and I'm really, really proud of our lads."

Tom Morrissey spoke of the ‘buzz’ that was in the Limerick dressing room when the news broke of the result in Thurles that helped book a repeat of last year’s Munster final.

"It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Morrissey said. "We came here today to make sure that we got into the All-Ireland series. 

"That’s all that we could control today. Getting a win and making sure that we got through and finish in the top three.

"To get the news in the dressing room that a Munster final awaits is an absolute buzz that’s going around in that dressing room at the moment.

"It was already that way after getting a win in such a tight game. It was brilliant to get such a good result and make sure that we extended our summer."

Elsewhere, Limerick’s ladies football side came out on the wrong side of their Munster ‘B’ final with Clare in Mallow.

Clare earned a 0-13 to 1-6 victory over Graham Shine’s side, who now turn their focus to the All-Ireland Junior Championship that begins in a few weeks’ time.

Limerick's junior camogie side were in action on Saturday and started their All-Ireland Championship with a 5-11 to 1-5 win over Offaly in Cappamore.