Rebel relief as gallant Limerick rattle champs

GALLANT Limerick could take little comfort from the fact that they gave Cork the fright of their lives in yesterday’s GAA Munster football final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

In different circumstances, if the supposed All-Ireland contenders had not been given an early lifeline through a dubious penalty award, or wing-back Stephen Lavin had been on target with a goal attempt nearing half-time, the probability is that Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s excellently-prepared team would have been celebrating the end of a 113-year championship hoodoo.

In the event, after Stephen Kelly had halved a two-point deficit four minutes from the full-time whistle, they still had enough possession to have gained an equaliser.