Cork edge out understrength Limerick

Cork 2-8, Limerick 1-9

Cork won the game largely as a result of more consistent play, highlighted by a goal in each half.

And, while Limerick were understrength, a wides tally of 19 can't have pleased Kearns, with their championship encounter with Tipperary coming up on Sunday week.

After a slow start, Cork settled down to dominate the game against the wind.

They opened up a three points lead by the 15th minute, which was extended by a well-taken Colin Crowley goal ten minutes later. This followed a good move initiated by Anthony Lynch, who was quick to exert control at centre-back.

Limerick, missing eight regulars including high-powered midfielders John Galvin and Jason Stokes, found it hard to make headway. Their only score in the first quarter came from dual player Conor Fitzgerald, who after making a comeback from injury with his club last week, was wearing the county jersey for the first time since last year's qualifier with Armagh.

Limerick showed a little urgency approaching half-time. Muiris Gavin operating at full-forward, where he got few opportunities against Graham Canty kicked over three good frees to leave it 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

Cork also made a better start to the second half, winning more possession at midfield to where Graham Canty was switched following the introduction of Derek Kavanagh and doing well at half-back. Here, Eoin Sexton was typically effective.

Limerick introduced Stephen Kelly at right half-forward after ten minutes, but he got few scoring chances.

Interestingly, Colin Corkery came on shortly afterwards for Cork and scored a point immediately. However, since the player he was replacing (Alan O'Regan) was still on the field, it was disallowed.

Poor finishing continued to undermine Limerick's efforts and a 55th minute goal from Alan Cronin put Cork in a strong position. They came under slight pressure after Michael Reidy converted a penalty six minutes later but two late scores from Corkery from play helped seal their victory.

Scorers: Cork C. Crowley 1-3 (0-1 free); A. Cronin 1-0; C. Corkery 0-2; C. O'Sullivan 0-2; A. O'Regan 0-1.

Limerick: M Gavin 0-4 frees; C. Fitzgerald 0-4 (0-2 frees); M. Reidy 1-0 penalty; S. Kelly 0-1.

CORK: K. O'Dwyer; G. Murphy, G. Canty, K. O'Connor; E. Sexton, A. Lynch, S. Levis; M. O'Sullivan, D. Hurley; A. Cronin, C. O'Sullivan, M. McCarthy; C. Crowley, A. O'Regan, K. O'Sullivan. Subs: D. Kavanagh for O'Sullivan (second half); C. Corkery for A. O'Regan (53rd); B. O'Regan for O'Connor and P. Nealon for Levis (55th);

LIMERICK: M. Jones; M. O'Riordan, J. McCarthy, T. Stack (capt.); P. Browne, D. Sheehy, D. Reidy; J. Quane; T. Carroll, M. O'Brien, J. Murphy, P. Ahern; C. Fitzgerald, M. Gavin, M. Reidy. Subs: M. Horan for Murphy (35th); S. Kelly for Ahern (45th); C. Hickey for Gavin (54th); S. Lavin for O'Brien (59th); D. Burke for Stack and P. O'Dea for D. Reidy (65th).

Referee: Michael Walsh (Ballyahill).

*A minute's silence was observed in memory of former Limerick footballer Eoin Sheehan, who died last week.