Limerick issue strong statement of intent against Cork in Munster Senior Hurling Championship

LIMERICK produced a ruthless performance in round four of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship to defeat Cork 3-26 to 1-16 on Sunday in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. 

Cork and Limerick fans were expecting a titantic tussle between the counties but it was anything but that. The home side look back to their best and the Allianz Hurling League champions had simply no answer for their opponents. 

The victors lively start sent Limerick on their way to victory and they were able to keep their scoreboard throughout this contest.

Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey and Mike Casey impressed in the Limerick full back line limiting the Cork full forward line to 0-2 from play. 2024 All-Star Kyle Hayes was outstanding and the Kildimo-Pallaskenry clubman was awarded man of the match for his display in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Cork struggled to get past Hayes at any stage during this encounter. 

In attack, Aaron Gillane, Tom Morrissey and Gearoid Hegarty scored 2-15 between them. Substitutes Cathal O'Neill and Peter Casey closed out the game impressively. 

This victory has secured Limerick's place out of the Munster championship and Kiely's charges are now in a strong position to reach this year's Munster final. Tipperary have also progressed out of this year's Munster SHC and the clash between Cork and Waterford will decide who will be third team to reach the All-Ireland series. 

Meanwhile, All-Ireland champions Clare are out of this year's Championship.

Limerick produced a breathtaking first half performance which saw them lead by fiveteen points at half time. John Kiely's side had nine different scorers in the opening period. 

Limerick manager John Kiely named an unchanged side from the line-up which defeated Waterford at Walsh Park two weeks ago. The Limerick substitutes' bench was bolstered by the inclusion of Declan Hannon, Barry Murphy and Peter Casey in the matchday squad.

Shane Barrett replaced Seamus Harnedy in the Cork half forward line. Barrett made his return from suspension after the Cork attacker received a red card against Clare in round one. 

There has been very little between the sides in recent seasons. Earlier this year, Limerick and Cork played out a draw in the Allianz Hurling League.

Last year's 'the Rebels' defeated Limerick in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship round-robin series and in the All-Ireland semi-final. Before last year, Limerick had the upper hand on Cork.

The Shannonsiders had defeated Cork in their Championship meetings from 2020 to 2023, with Cork’s last win over Limerick before last year coming in 2019.

The hosts raced into a two point lead when Adam English and Cian Lynch set up Tom Morrissey for the opening score. Morrissey then inter-cepted Patrick Collins' puckout and the Ahane clubman pointed from distance. 

Limerick corner forward Aaron Gillane then won the ball in the left corner forward position. Gillane took on Cork defender Niall O'Lary and he drilled his shot low past Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins to give his side the perfect start. 

Patrick Horgan, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Robert Downey settled things down for Cork after that. In between that period David Reidy off loaded the sliotar to the oncoming Barry Nash but the Cork defence stood tall to deny Limerick a second goal in the early stages of the first half. 

Adam English sent over an inspirational effort under the Mick Mackey stand and Aaron Gillane followed that up with a placed ball to push Kiely's side 1-4 to 0-3 in front on 10 minutes. 

The Munster champions dominated the remainder of the first half outscoring their opponents 2-14 to 0-6. On 26 minutes Cian Lynch played a clever flick in front of Adam English who cooly slotted the sliotar into the back of the net. Gillane, Tom Morrissey, English, Mike Casey, Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, David Reidy, Diarmaid Byrnes and Shane O'Brien were all on target during that period to have Limerick leading 2-18 to 0-9 at the interval. 

Pat Ryan's charges struggled to break down a stubborn Limerick defence who brought huge intensity in the first half. The visitors relied heavily on Patrick Horgan who landed 0-5 in the opening 35 minutes. 

Cork struggled to break down Limerick in the first half and the half back line of Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes and Barry Nash were superb closing down the Rebels half forward line. 

After the break, Tom Morrissey continued to impress and the Limerick wing forward had now scored his fifth point of the afternoon. Cork battled away through the experienced Patrick Horgan. Gearoid Hegarty and Aaron Gillane extended the victors lead to shove them 2-21 to 0-12 ahead.

Horgan and substitute Seamus Hardeny reduced the gap to eleven points midway through the second half. Limerick were still looking as comfortable as ever and their bench was starting to make a significant impact. Cathal O'Neill chipped in with a score immediately and then Seamus Flanagan won a free after being fouled by Damien Cahalane. Gillane nailed the resulting free as the 2023 All-Ireland champions were 2-23 to 0-16 clear. 

Patrick Horgan decided to go for a goal from a free and the Cork attacker finished his free into the back of the net. Aaron Gillane diminished any sign of a Cork comeback when the Patrickswell clubman made no mistake from the penalty spot and his side were 3-23 to 1-16 ahead on 63 minutes. 

Cathal O'Neill and Peter Casey sealed a comprehensive victory for the Shannonsiders in the closing stages of the second half. 

Limerick now face Clare in the final round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday May 25 at 4pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. 

SCORERS: 

LIMERICK:  Aaron Gillane (2-7, 0-6 frees), Tom Morrissey 0-5, Adam English 1-2, Gearoid Hegarty 0-3,Cathal O'Neill and Peter Casey 0-2 each, David Reidy, Cian Lynch, Shane O'Brien, Diarmaid Byrnes and Mike Casey 0-1 each

CORK: Patrick Horgan (1-10, 1-9 frees), Seamus Hardeny 0-2, Robert Downey, Brian Hayes, Brian Roche and Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-1 each

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Sean Finn (Bruff), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Barry Nash (South Liberties); Adam English (Doon), William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh); Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick's), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell, Captain), Tom Morrissey (Ahane); Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca). 

SUBS: Darragh O'Donovan for O'Donoghue (36 minutes-39 minutes), William O'Dongohue for O'Donovan (39 minutes), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) for O'Brien (51 minutes), Cathal O'Neill (Crecora-Manister) for Tom Morrissey (51 minutes), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh) for Reidy (58 minutes), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown) for Mike Casey (67 minutes), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown) for Byrnes (68 minutes). 

CORK: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O'Donoghue; Ciaran Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Ethan Twomey; Declan Dalton, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes. 

SUBS: Brian Roche for Dalton (7 minutes, injury), Cormac O'Brien for Robert Downey (Half-Time), Seamus Hardeny for Twomey (Half-Time), Damien Cahalane for O'Leary (55 minutes), Robbie O'Flynn for Connolly (65 minutes)

REFEREE: Liam Gordon (Galway)