Leo O’Connor hails ‘heroic’ defending

The mood was understandably jubilant in the Limerick camp and for manager Leo O’Connor to get the three-point win was hugely satisfying.

His charges remain on course for a third successive Munster title when they lock horns with Tipperary in Thurles on Sunday week.

“Cork had probably the upper-hand for the first 20 minutes,” he said afterwards. “Similar to the situation we had down in Páirc Uí Rinn when we met in the quarter-final. We were seven points up and they came back at us before half-time.

“Today we came back and we went in a draw at half time 0-7 each. Both sides had chances but we had absolutely heroic defending. Jack O’Grady stepped in front of one ball and Tom Hayes another. Their work rate got them through there tonight. It is done and dusted now. We have 10 days to get ready for a Munster final .”

It didn’t bother the green and white boss that they only took the lead 10 minutes into the second half – a lead they only held twice over the hour.

“When the final whistle is blown that is the only time you want to be leading. With all due respects we will take it. We went up three points. We are delighted.

“It was good stuff because Cork are a very good team. Both sides were exceptionally nervous in the first 10 minutes. It was a very sporting game. You know we missed a penalty as well.”

Denis Ring rued far too many missed Cork chances. “It is terribly disappointing for us to lose. We had something like 15 wides tonight. We had enough hurling to win the match. We didn’t get the scores when it mattered.

"That’s the difference. They (Limerick) missed nothing. Regardless of Shane (Kingston, out injured) we should have still won the match. We were going through for a couple of goal chances there in the end but nothing came of them. We possibly should have popped the ball over the bar.

“In fairness fellas do the best they can. They went out there and they competed well and they contested every ball. They tried to do the right thing all the time. They did everything but put the ball over the bar and that is the difference between winning and losing.”