Missed chances prove costly as Limerick minors fall to Rebels in Munster MHC

LIMERICK will play Clare in the Munster MHC semi-final after they fell to a 0-20 to 1-14 loss to Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds this Tuesday evening. 

A win or draw would have put Limerick into the final but missed frees in the final stages cost them badly and they travel to Ennis in a week's time as a result.

Limerick made the better of the starts with Darren Collopy, Robert O'Farrell and Tádgh Boddy all hitting the target inside three minutes before Zack Biggane replied for Cork.

A second long range Boddy effort had Limerick three to the good for a second time. Cork responded with two Barry Walsh frees to leave the score at 0-5 to 0-3 in Limerick's favour after 14 minutes.

Brian Lynch then cut Limerick's advantage to a solitary point with a superb score, however, O'Farrell soon had Evan Loftus' side two in front again with a fine score of his own.

The first of two Finn O'Brien scores got Cork to within one point again on 19 minutes but Collopy and Patrick Kearney responded for Limerick to see them two clear.

Cork scored the next three points to move ahead for the first time in the contest but O'Farrell and a Collopy free saw Limerick to a 0-10 to 0-9 half time advantage. 

The Rebels made a better start to the second half with Walsh and Lynch hitting the target but Dara Ferlan's well-taken goal put Limerick back in front.

The game ebbed and flowed with the lead changing hands several times in the second half. Walsh continued to be deadly from placed balls, while Boddy landed a third point of the game.

A Collopy free levelled the game for a seventh time with 10 minutes remaining but Ronan Dooley and a Walsh free saw Cork ahead yet again.

A Darragh Gleeson free did give Limerick hope in the final stages but missed efforts from Collopy and Cosgrove, as well as Walsh's prowess saw Cork to a three-point win.

SCORERS - Limerick: Darren Collopy 0-5 (4 frees), Dara Ferland 1-1, Robert O'Farrell and Tádgh Boddy 0-3 each, Patrick Kearney and Darragh Gleeson (1 free) 0-1 each.

SCORERS - Cork: Barry Walsh 0-9 (7 frees), Zack Biggane, Brian Lynch and Finn O'Brien 0-2 each, James O'Leary, Barry O'Flynn, Conor McCarthy, Jayden Casey and Ronan Dooley 0-1 each. 

LIMERICK: Joe Fitzgerald (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); John O’Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh), Conor Bickford (Ahane), Sean Morrissey (Dromin-Athlaca); Jack Cosgrove (Ahane), Sean Casey (Bruff), Darragh Gleeson (Adare); Diarmuid Lyons (Newcastle West), Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen); Robert O Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Dara Ferland (Monaleen), Tádgh Boddy (Bruff); Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Patrick Kearney (Adare), Darren Collopy (Murroe-Boher). 

Subs: Cathal Hayes (Newcastle West) for Kearney (49 mins), Michael Leo (Knockainey) for Lyons (55 mins), Cian Barrett (Kilmallock) for Ferland (58 mins), Oisin Holmes (Murroe-Boher) for Boddy (61 mins).

CORK: Oisin Walsh (Youghal); Oier O’Callaghan (Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels), Darragh McCarthy (Passage), Carthaigh Cronin (Midleton); Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney), Ben Walsh (Killeagh), David O’Leary (Ballincollig); James O’Leary (Lisgoold), Conor McCarthy (Glen Rovers); Johnny Murphy (Dromina), Zack Biggane (Charleville), Barry Walsh (Killeagh); Brian Lynch (Youghal), Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields), Finn O’Brien (Erins Own).

Subs: Sean O'Callaghan (Aghada) for O O'Callaghan (10 mins, inj), Jayden Murphy (Youghal) for O'Brien (43 mins), Fionn Murphy (Killeagh) for O Walsh (46 mins, inj), Ronan Dooley (Douglas) for Murphy (53 mins), Johnny Galvin (Eire Og) for B Walsh (62 mins).

REFEREE: Joe Mullins (Clare).