Limerick's firepower rocks Cork U21s

Cork 2-15 Limerick 3-19: Limerick ran out comfortable winners in last night’s Munster U21 hurling championship clash with Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn, two late Cork goals giving the scoreboard a flattering look.

Both managers - John Kiely of Limerick and Cork’s Damien Irwin - identified the visitors’ electrifying start as the key to the result. Limerick had an early goal from man of the match Ronan Lynch and the lead they built in the opening stages, as much as nine points at one stage, gave them a cushion until the very end.

With an attendance of 3,238 looking on, it seemed likely Limerick would overrun Cork early on, with Pat Ryan hitting three points for them in the opening five minutes. The visitors were 1-7 to 0-1 ahead before ten minutes had gone - Ronan Lynch the goalscorer. The men in green and white took over early and as befitted a team laden with All-Ireland medallists in the grade - as well as a sprinkling of All-Ireland club medallists with Na Piarsaigh - they kept Cork at bay with ease.