Limerick dump Cork out of McGrath Cup

Cork 0-07 Limerick 2-03

First half goals from Michael Reidy and Conor Mullane saw Limerick run out 2-03 to 0-07 winners over Cork in tonight's McGrath Cup semi-final in Newtownshandrum.

The Shannonsiders included four newcomers in Sean Kiely, Jim Donovan, Pat Fitzgerald and Sean Buckley, but it was right corner-forward Reidy who led their attack in sleety conditions.

Mullane exposed the frailties of Cork goalkeeper Kevin O'Dwyer for Limerick's first goal. The net minder's clearance kick to Noel O'Leary was intercepted by Mullane and he drove a low shot home for an early 1-02 to 0-02 lead.

A 2-03 to 0-02 half-time buffer was posted up by the visitors when O'Dwyer held onto the ball for too long, and Tipperary referee Paddy Russell handed Reidy the chance to convert from the penalty spot.

James Masters led a Rebel revival in the second half as he tallied up 0-04, with Limerick's Diarmuid Sheehy in the sin-bin but the comeback proved too late, despite a scoreless half-hour for the visitors.

Tralee IT lie in wait for Kearns' charges next Saturday, at a home venue.

There was a decent attendance at the match, helping to raise around €6,000 for the Asian tsunami appeal.

Scorers: Limerick: C. Mullane, M. Reidy 1-00 each; J. Murphy 0-03. Cork: J. Masters 0-04; M. Shields, C. Riordan, M. O Croinin 0-01 each.