Bench and extra man make a major mark for Treaty

Apart from the early stages, Limerick played second fiddle to a well-drilled Cork outfit in the first-half but took over after the break, with their defence on top for the crucial last ten minutes.

It was level at half-time, but it was advantage Limerick. In the dying seconds of the first half, Limerick wing-back Paudie O’Brien went down injured as he contested a high ball. Referee James McGrath whistled for a free for Limerick and then turned to Cork’s Pat Horgan who had come in from behind. He showed a red card to the Cork corner-forward, who had been influential up to then.

From the stand it was difficult to make out if the red card was justified, but, having looked at the incident on television at half-time, it was clear Horgan had made contact with O’Brien’s helmet as the ball dropped and struck the wing-back on the head.