As it happened: Cork v Limerick, All-Ireland hurling championship semi-final
GREEN FLAG: Cork’s Brian Hayes scores the first goal of the game. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
And breathe! The warnings from my smartwatch heart monitor have begun to slow down so after a truly epic afternoon's hurling, we'll wrap it there.
As Cork move on to a final date with Clare and Limerick reflect on the end of their incredible run, we'll have lots more reaction and analysis throughout the evening and in Monday's edition. Thanks for your company.
John Fogarty has filed his on-the-whistle report from HQ. Sum that one up.
"It will be 2013 all over again on July 21 as Cork ended Limerick’s five-in-a-row aspirations with a second half display of epic proportions. A date with Clare awaits Cork after they backed up their dramatic Munster SHC round win over the All-Ireland champions with another thundering showing after the half-time break."
Pat Ryan on Limerick's threat coming down the straight: "We thought they were going to come back and bate us like they do to everyone.
"Lads will celebrate tonight, we need to enjoy it. We will look after what happens with Clare next week. We’re just delighted to get over it.”
'I thought they were going to come back and bate us, like they do everyone else!'
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 7, 2024
Enjoy Pat Ryan's honest interview after Cork did the double on Limerick to end drive for five
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The Frank and Walters goes up over Croke Park.
Brian Hayes is awarded man of the match by the RTÉ panel and immediately drops a casual F-bomb in his conversation with Damien Lawlor before he pays tribute to Cork's belief and the work of Gary Keegan.
Limerick 0-29 Cork 1-28
Cork dethrone the four-in-a-row champions Limerick after an epic!
Hegarty is booked, Cork have a free but Horgan has just gone off. Coleman drops it short and its a two point game with less than a minute left.
What a passage of play!
When the ball came off the upright, Horgan attempted to sweep the ball home and finish this contest but Quaid saved. Unreal finish to this game.
We're into four minutes of added time.
Massive wide from Shane O'Brien.
Robbie O'Flynn is on for Harnedy who took a heavy knock some time ago. This is tense stuff now.
English lofts over a brilliant score from out by the sideline and the Limerick supporters are on their feet.
Hegarty nails another one! Two in it.
Brian Hayes sticks the paw up, brings it down and lashes over. Patrick Horgan had scored a free moments earlier but Limerick get a chance to reply when Ethan Twomey is pinged for a throw ball; Gillane obliges. Harsh on the Corkman.
Shane Kingston is on. Adam English and Gillane again have chipped away at Limerick's lead.
"This is epic hurling from Cork," John Fogarty writes, "Everyone anticipating the Limerick comeback but will it happen?"
Shane O'Brien points for the champions.
They haven't gone away, you know.
Kyle Hayes notches a trademark point for the Treaty. Darragh Fitzgibbon responds immediately form the puck out. It's happened a bit today.
From Paul Keane: "Hawk-Eye rules Brian Hayes' point attempt for Cork to be wide in the 55th minute. One umpire had waved his white flag, the other had given it as a wide. Hayes' initial reaction was telling, a rebuke of himself. He knew immediately."
Gillane scores again but when Limerick make a mistake, Harnedy points, Horgan adds another and as I type here Harnedy drives forward again and scores. The Rebels are seven up all of a sudden.
Seamus Flanagan is off, after a battle with Eoin Downey, for Shane O'Brien.
The rebel roar is loud as Patrick Collins makes a spectacular save and it's followed up by a monster point from Declan Dalton.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 7, 2024
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What a passage of play. Hegarty drills goalwards but Collins pulls off a super save; the ball is worked up the field and Dalton points.
Moments later Eoin Downey takes down a high ball with an excellent catch and wins a free for Cork.
They're putting it up to the champions here.
Byrnes nails a free and Dalton efficiently dispatches for Cork after a quick puck out.
A super free from downtown from Deccie Dalton. Cork are flying.
Maurice Brosnan in Croke Park writes: "A mixed day for placed ball shooting so far. Declan Dalton, Patrick Horgan, Diarmuid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane have all missed scoreable efforts. They've all converted at least one attempt as well."
This is up and down the pitch at the moment. Shane Barret adds to his personal tally after Gillane points for Limerick.
First sighting of Cyril in the sombrero comes after 41 mins or so.
Patrick Horgan gets off the mark for his 700th point. Shae Barrett points, as does Darragh Fitzgibbon and Cathal O'Neill for Limerick.
The Croke Park big screen acknowledged the Cork talisman's milestone.
Flick by Alan Connolly out to Patrick Horgan for his 700th point, second on the all-time list behind TJ Reid... for now.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 7, 2024
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No changes and we're off for the second half!
What's eating Patrick Horgan? John Fogarty writes: "You’d be described as mad to suggest Patrick Horgan, who needs one more point to hit the 700th mark in championship scoring, wouldn’t have a point to his name by half-time but it’s a fact. All but one of Cork’s scores have come from play and Horgan inexplicably missed a 29th minute free.
"Cork were five points ahead two points after Brian Hayes’ goal and he could have been in for another in the 26th minute. However, after initially struggling on their puck-out Limerick have made their restarts a real platform.
"Six points in a row between the 22nd and 26th minutes brought Limerick level and they are deservedly ahead by two at the break."
Paul Keane at Croke Park writes: "Some interesting half-time entertainment at Croke Park, seven athletes in a race to see who can complete a mile the fastest. Five laps of a circular circuit marked out on the sod.
"We are told that, 100 years ago, to highlight our identity and independence the government organised a festival, the Tailteann Games, and the athletics happened at Croke Park. This is a nod to all those memories."
Let's have a look at the scores on the doors via John at HQ:
Scorers for Limerick: A. Gillane (2 frees), D. Reidy (0-4 each); D. Byrnes (1 free), T. Morrissey, C. O’Neill (0-2 each); S. Flanagan, C. Lynch (0-1 each).
Scorers for Cork: B. Hayes (1-2); S. Harnedy, A. Connolly (0-2 each); R. Downey, D. Dalton (free), D. Fitzgibbon, M. Coleman, S. Barrett (0-1 each).
LIMERICK: N. Quaid; M. Casey, D. Morrissey, S. Finn; D. Byrnes, D. Hannon (c), K. Hayes; W. O’Donoghue, C. Lynch; G. Hegarty, T. Morrissey, C. O’Neill; A. Gillane, S. Flanagan, D. Reidy.
Subs for Limerick:
CORK: P. Collins; N. O’Leary, E. Downey, S. O’Donoghue (c); M. Coleman, R. Downey, C. Joyce; T. O’Mahony, D. Fitzgibbon; D. Dalton, S. Barrett, S. Hard Subs for Cork: S. Kingston for P. Horgan (temp 34-35).
Referee: T. Walsh (Waterford).
Cork puck-out watch: Won 11, lost 11.
— Eoghan Cormican (@cormicaneoghan) July 7, 2024
Limerick have mined 0-5 off the Cork puck-out. All Cork have mined is the Brian Hayes goal which came from a short restart where Cork retained possession right through.
Cork have lost all five puck-outs sent down on top of Diarmaid Byrnes.
Shane Barrett burns off his man and manages to squeeze over the last point of the half, though he looked to be going for goal. It was badly needed for Cork either way.
An epic first period. We're going for a small lie down.
A bloodied Patrick Horgan has to leave the pitch for treatment, Shane Kingston is on.
Moments earlier, Hoggy's Glen Rovers clubmate Eoin Downey was booked along with his man, Seamus Flanagan for some off-the-ball stuff.
Here's that Patrick Collins save, one of the moments of an eventful first half.
Byrnes scuds a longrange free and David Reidy throws another one over. He's been brilliant.
Wow. We had to go to Hawkeye to confirm that Patrick Horgan had dragged a free wide and he's still waiting for the milestone score. Is it weighing on his mind, Michael Duignan wonders.
Aaron Gillane points from play before Alan Connolly replies.
Ref watch from John Fogarty: "Early doors but Thomas Walsh is having an impressive afternoon and contributing to the excitement of this semi-final. He’s allowed the game to move but has been sharp on that Connolly throw ball and overcarries."
John Fogarty writes: "Diarmaid Byrnes has thundered back into this game and Limerick are making their puck-out a weapon once more but that's two goal chances Aaron Gillane has had and neither scored."
Gillane converts a free after Brian Hayes dinks over a point.
Paul Keane updates us on the match-ups.
"Mike Casey on Patrick Horgan, Dan Morrissey on Brian Hayes, Sean Finn on Alan Connolly. At the other end, it's Eoin Downey on Seamus Flanagan, Sean O'Donoghue on Aaron Gillane, Niall O'Leary on David Reidy."
What a save from Patrick Collins!
The Cork keep showed huge bravery to block down a certain goal -- and then again for good measure, though the whistle had gone for steps.
Limerick have their dander up after points from the likes of Cian Lynch and Diarmuid Byrnes. They've had five on the trot and we're level.
It's all happening. Cork had the ball in the net again but the referee had whistled for a throw ball.
Pat Ryan is quizzing the official on the line.
Moments earlier, Aaron Gillane was driving for the Cork goal but slipped and was pinged for a throw too.
Tom Morrissey points, as I type.
Limerick 0-6 Cork 1-7
Brian Hayes finds the back of the the net!
John Fogarty: "Brian Hayes rips the net. Diarmaid Byrnes had all the time to deal with that ball but Shane Barrett pounces and sets up Hayes for the first goal of the afternoon. Cork four up."
Goal for Brian Hayes, great composure to get away from Mike Casey. Only 18 minutes gone and plenty of action so far.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 7, 2024
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Big moments.
Patrick Horgan trots out to take on a free and claim his 700th point but it comes off the post. Harnedy ultimately points.
Gearoid Hegarty ambles forward in loads of space but he misses inexplicably. Reidy follows up with another poor wide.
Level pegging again after a great David Reidy effort. Moments earlier goleador Alan Connolly got his first sighter off but he rattles the side netting. A warning for Limerick.
Seamus Harnedy drills a point before Mark Coleman is on the end of a lovely one-two combination before splitting the points. Tom Morrissey then makes sure Limerick stay ticking over.
This is breathless stuff.
Limerick respond like champions and are level. Gillane converts a free and Flanagan has plenty of space to add to his tally.
Meanwhile, John Fogarty sends this from his perch in the Hogan Stand:
Tim O'Mahony's anticipated move to midfield materialises. Cork upsetting Limerick's puck-outs.
Match-ups:
Declan Dalton v Kyle Hayes
Shane Barrett v Declan Hannon
Seamus Harnedy v Diarmaid Byrnes
Patrick Horgan v Seán Finn
Alan Connolly v Dan Morrissey
Brian Hayes v Mike Casey
Niall O'Leary v David Reidy
Eoin Downey v Seamus Flanagan
Seán O'Donoghue v Aaron Gillane
Mark Coleman v Cathal O'Neill
Rob Downey v Tom Morrissey
Ciarán Joyce v Gearóid Hegarty
Brilliant few moments from Cork. Declan Dalton nails a free, Alan Connolly introduces himself and Darragh Fitzgibbon makes up for an early free. Limerick's puck out is under pressure and they've had three wides so far by my count.
Phew! A frantic start here.
Aaron Gillane opened his account though Cork may have had a free. Then Eoin Downey blocks down a Seamus Flanagan effort and the 65 is wide.
Moments later, his brother Rob strides out and scores for Cork.
Let's dance. The teams are parading around the pitch behind the Artane Band and the place is rocking. We're moments from throw in.
As Dara Ó Briain tells the BBC coverage about meeting Chris Kamara at the England game yesterday and a conversation about Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, let's have a look at the teams.
John Fogarty: "Both Cork and Limerick to start as named. For Cork, Ciarán Joyce for Ethan Twomey is the only personnel switch from the team that began May’s Munster SHC Round 3 victory over Limerick in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in May. For Limerick, all but Nash started that loss and Mike Casey is the difference this time around."
Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon (capt), Kyle Hayes; William O'Donoghue, Cathal O'Neill; Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, David Reidy.
Subs: Jason Gillane, Conor Boylan, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Richie English, Graeme Mulcahy, Shane O'Brien, Aidan O'Connor, Fergal O'Connor, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Darragh O'Donovan.
Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoghan Downey, Sean O'Donoghue (captain); Tim O'Mahony, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Ciaran Joyce, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Seamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Subs: Brion Saunderson, Damian Cahalane, Ger Millerick, Tommy O'Connell, Luke Meade, Ethan Twomey, Conor Lehane, Jack O'Connor, Shane Kingston, Padraig Power, Robbie O'Flynn.
The game will start we're told. Strap in.
The atmosphere is building nicely, come on the Rebels #uptherebels 🟥⬜️ pic.twitter.com/XnCocv2hcx
— Cork Hurling History (@HurlingHistory) July 7, 2024
Some pre-game reading then.
Eoghan Cormican writes on the importance of the Rebels' goalkeeper.
"As doesn’t need much recounting, the goalkeeper and his puck-outs achieved unparalleled success against the green wall. Since then, Collins’ solid anchoring has seen him blend back into the pack."
Big news possibly.
There's a suggestion of a 10-minute delay to throw-in time due to crowd congestion, we're told.
The lads.
Our own TJ Ryan and Mark Landers join Marty Morrissey on RTÉ's coverage to give their pre-game thoughts.
Our team of writers are in situ at HQ and will send us updates from their vantage point throughout the afternoon.
writes: "The atmosphere for the first sell-out All-Ireland SHC semi-final this century is building nicely in the stadium. The counties' proximity, the drive for five, the result in Cork in May, the fact more tickets will have been taken up by fans from the participating counties than an All-Ireland final - approximately 60,000 of the 82,300 is split between the finalists - all lends to it."
Limerick Senior Hurling team has arrived to Croke Park safely pic.twitter.com/QmmpXXcriO
— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) July 7, 2024
All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final @MunsterGAA #SportsDirectIreland #Borntoplay #RebelsRising pic.twitter.com/rjG7UWMOyp
— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) July 7, 2024
Cork boss, Pat Ryan is speaking to RTÉ. "This is the serious time, this is the big time and we'll need to perform for the huge crowd coming up and back it up."
Hundreds of hurling fans joined the Dalo's Hurling Show panel for a special live preview night in Silver Springs on Thursday.
Here's how Dalo thinks this afternoon's game may play out - and why:
Paul Kinnerk is hurling's most influential ever figure, @DaloAnto reckons and that is why Limerick will win again today. pic.twitter.com/xy1CP52mC5
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) July 7, 2024
The winner of today's second semi-final will, of course, go on to face Munster rivals Clare in a fortnight.
The Banner booked their place in the All-Ireland decider thanks to their come-from-behind win against Kilkenny on Saturday.
Christy O'Connor sums up the victory in this excellent piece.
We're 90 minutes or so out from throw-in and fingers crossed everyone gets up the road and into the stadium safely and on time; there are reports, predictably of long tailbacks on the M7 all day. Let us know if you're amongst those trying to negotiate the heavy traffic: adrian.russell@examiner.ie
Will the champions keep the drive for five on track?
Can the Rebels repeat the trick and stun the Treaty once again this season?
Join us this afternoon for live coverage of the much-anticipated All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Munster rivals Limerick and Cork (throw in 4pm).
A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.
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