Limerick's drive for five ended by Cork onslaught in All-Ireland semi-final classic

LIMERICK'S epic reign as All-Ireland senior hurling champions and the county's bid for an historic five-in-a-row of Liam MacCarthy Cup successes were abruptly ended by Cork on a 1-28 to 0-29 scoreline after a pulsating All-Ireland semi-final in front of a sold-out attendance of 82,300 at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Cork produced a storming third quarter display, turning a two-point half-time deficit, 1-11 to 0-16, into a five point lead by the 47th minute.

This was the period of the game when traditionally Limerick have enjoyed their best spells on route to winning six Munster and four All-Ireland titles in a row.

However, it was Cork this time who seized the initiative after the restart to take a grip on a pulsating contest.

To their credit, Limerick fought resolutely to haul themselves back and a strong contribution from the substitutes' bench ensured the Munster champions remained right in the game.

However, John Kiely's charges just couldn't get back on terms as Cork defiantly retained their advantage until full-time to secure a deserved win and set up an All-Ireland final showdown with Clare in two weeks time.

It was the second time this year that Cork have gotten the better of Limerick in the championship, following their round robin success of earlier in the campaign.

At full-time the Limerick players and backroom team applauded their supporters in front of the Hogan Stand. Not their day, but the team has provided so many wonderful ones for green and white supporters. 

This was the highest ever attendance for an All-Ireland SHC semi-final since the 2017 encounter between the same two teams (71,073), and also eclipsed the previous record attendance for a last four match in the hurling championship, the 2007 meeting of Limerick and Waterford (80,546).

Limerick lined out without defender Barry Nash for the game as the South Liberties clubman was ruled out by a hamstring injury. Nash was replaced by four-time All-Star Sean Finn.

 Elsewhere, in the Limerick team, the fit-again Séamus Flanagan came in for Shane O’Brien who made way despite his excellent performance in the Munster final win over Clare.

Flanagan had scored 3-3 from play when Limerick played Cork in the round robin phase of the Munster SHC.

The after weather cleared in time for the throw-in making for a classic championship meeting between these age old rivals.

Aaron Gillane pointed Limerick in front inside the opening 40 seconds, but despite that settling score, the Shannonsiders' were not as efficient in attack as their rivals in that opening quarter.

Cork were 0-4 to 0-1 to the good by the sixth minute with points from Robert Downey, Declan Dalton (free), Alan Connolly and Darragh Fitzgibbon.

Limerick rallied and drew level within three minutes as Aaron Gillane (free), Catahl O'Neill and Seamus Flanagan raised white flags. 

The sides were also level at 0-6 each before Cork stung their hosts with 1-2 without reply. The Rebels had a point from Seamus Harnedy, while Brian Hayes rattled the Limerick net in the 17th minute and followed up with a point to put the Leesiders five points t the good, 1-8 to 0-6.

Limerick had been struggling to come to terms with the Cork attack through much of that opening quarter. However, that changed through the second quarter as the Shannonsiders limited Cork to just three further points. 

In contrast Limerick found scores significantly easier to come by. Points from Tom Morrissey, Diarmiad Byrnes, O'Neill, Cian Lynch and two from Gillane soon followed.

Patrickswell clubman Gillane might also have had a goal in the 22nd minute as Seamus Flanagan and the lively David Reidy combined to create the chance. However, Gillane's effort on goal was smothered by an advancing Patrick Collins.

Limerick continued to hold the upperhand, however, outscoring their opponents 0-10 to 0-3 through the second quarter. 

Cork began the second period in whirlwind fashion outscoring their provincial rivals 0-7 to 0-2 by the 42nd minute.

The Rebels led by four in the 45th minute prior to Gearóid Hegarty’s shot being kept out by Patrick Collins, but Aaron Gillane slipped in trying to strike the rebound to the net.

Cork were still six points to the good in the 64th minute. However, the introduction of young guns off the bench ignited Limerick's challenge and four points from Shane O’Brien and Adam English kept the Shannonsiders in the hunt.

However, resolute Cork would just not be denied on the day.

SCORERS: Limerick: Aaron Gillane 0-10 (0-4 frees), David Reidy, Cathal O'Neill 0-3 each, Diarmaid Byrnes 0-3 (0-2 frees), Adam English, Shane O'Brien, Tom Morrissey 0-2 each, Seamus Flanagan, Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes 0-1 each.

Cork: Brian Hayes 1-4, Patrick Horgan 0-5 (0-3 frees), Seamus Harnedy, Declan Dalton (0-2 frees) 0-4 each, Shane Barrett, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Alan Connolly 0-3 each, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes; Will O'Donoghue, Cathal O'Neill; Gearóid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, David Reidy. Subs: Shane O'Brien for Flanagan (51 mins), Adam English for Reidy, Darragh O'Donovan for O'Donoghue (both 53 mins), Aidan O'Connor for Tom Morrissey (63 mins).

CORK: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O'Donoghue; Tim O'Mahony, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Ciarán Joyce, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Seamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes. Subs: Shane Kingston for Horgan (temp 33-34 mins), Ethan Twomey for O'Mahony (58 mins), Shane Kingston for Dalton (61 mins), Robbie OFlynn for Harnedy (66 mins), Padraig Power for Horgan (70 + 2 mins).

REFEREE: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)