Cork claim McGrath Cup final spot despite loss to Limerick

James Naughton kicked 2-5 and Jack McCarthy grabbed the other goal in a valuable tune-up for the Treaty county's Division 3 campaign against an experimental Rebels side.

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Cork secured a seventh successive McGrath Cup final appearance despite  defeat to Limerick at Páirc Uí Rinn. Pic: Noel Sweeney.

McGrath Cup Group B round 3: Cork 0-15 Limerick 3-11

An experimental Cork side secured a seventh successive McGrath Cup final appearance despite a five-point defeat to Limerick at Páirc Uí Rinn.

James Naughton kicked 2-5 and Jack McCarthy grabbed the other goal in a valuable tune-up for their Division 3 campaign.

Darragh Cashman and Conor Daly impressed for the Rebels, who will meet Kerry in Saturday’s final.

With his Sigerson Cup cohort available, John Cleary made 13 changes from their midweek victory over Tipperary, including a series of debuts down the spine of an experimental team.

There were first appearances for Nemo Rangers full-back Colin Molloy, Castlehaven centre-back Tomás O’Mahony, midfielders Seán Dore of Ballincollig and Tom Cunningham of Kilshannig, Clonakilty centre-forward Daly, and Carbery Rangers corner-forward Ciarán Santry.

Jimmy Lee opted for 14 changes from their opening defeat to Tipperary, restoring Tailteann Cup final starters in Mark McCarthy, Killian Ryan, Tony McCarthy, Danny Neville, and Naughton.

In wet and windy conditions, the Páirc Uí Rinn floodlights were called up before 3pm such was the gloom.

Throw in time at Pairc Uí Rinn. Pic: Noel Sweeney.

The swirling breeze didn’t grant a massive benefit to either side as each dropped four shots short in the first half. Those moments would prove particularly punitive for Cork as Limerick countered to score 1-2 off those misses.

Conall Ó Duinn was the Treaty’s star man until his half-time withdrawal, kicking two points and creating two goal chances. For the sixth-minute breakthrough, the Monaleen wing-back’s backdoor cut was picked out by Killian Ryan before squaring for Jack McCarthy to palm home.

They had another opening straight from Jeffrey Alfred’s kick-out. Cork keeper Darragh Newman was caught up in the midfield contest, but Naughton’s long-range shot towards an empty net was blocked by Jacob O’Driscoll.

Cork levelled through Luke Murphy and Daly, but Limerick tagged on the next three via Robbie Childs, Ó Duinn, and a Naughton free.

The Rebels were back ahead after scoring the next four. Daly slotted his third point and David Buckley equalled that tally with a one- and two-point free; the latter for a 4v3 breach.

In between, Ó Duinn played in Naughton for a third goal chance, which Newman advanced to save. A mysterious free was awarded in the aftermath, but Naughton took too long to tap over, and Eoin Morrissey chose to throw up the ball.

Ó Duinn and Dore traded points to leave Cork 0-8 to 1-4 up at half-time.

Wing-back Darragh Cashman advanced for two early points either side of a Neville effort.

Limerick exploited the wind to pen in Cork and retake the lead. Naughton converted three frees and Childs fisted a point for 1-9 to 0-10.

Cashman kicked his third in 15 minutes and Seán Walsh landed a super point, sandwiching a Jack Mahon score at the other end.

In the 48th minute, Limerick had their second goal. From an advanced turnover, Neville’s speed created the overlap for Naughton to fire off the far post and into the net.

They led 2-10 to 0-12 but Cork came back with two Daly frees and a Paddy O’Driscoll point. The Gabriel Rangers man was among a clutch of debutants off the bench, which included Colm Gillespie and Luke Casey (Aghabullogue), Kevin O’Reilly (Carrigaline), Cormac Hyland (Mitchelstown), and Sam Copps (Mallow).

But Limerick made their win safe at the death with a Naughton free followed by a last-gasp goal, teed up by Neville.

Scorers for Cork: C Daly 0-5 (3 frees); D Cashman, D Buckley (1 free, 1 tpf) 0-3 each; S Dore, L Murphy, P O’Driscoll, S Walsh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: J Naughton 2-5 (0-5 frees); J McCarthy 1-0; C Ó Duinn, R Childs 0-2 each; D Neville, J Mahon 0-1 each.

CORK: D Newman; S Meehan, C Molloy, J O’Driscoll; K O’Donovan (capt), T O’Mahony, D Cashman; S Dore, T Cunningham; F Fenner, C Daly, D Buckley; D O’Connor, L Murphy, C Santry.

Subs: C O’Shea for O’Mahony (h-t), S Walsh for Buckley (h-t), C Gillespie for Fenner (h-t), P O’Driscoll for O’Donovan (42), K O’Reilly for Santry (42), L Casey for Murphy (49), C Dungan for Newman (53), C Hyland for Meehan (53), S Copps for Molloy (53).

LIMERICK: J Alfred; O Collins, D Buckley, M McCarthy; C Ó Duinn, K Ryan, T McCarthy; J McCarthy, B Coleman (capt); R O’Brien, D Neville, E Riordan; J Mahon, R Childs, J Naughton.

Subs: J Hasset for Collins (h-t), C McSweeney for Ó Duinn (h-t), P Maher for Riordan (h-t), S Quigley for Coleman (43), S Cross for Childs (43), L Woulfe for O’Brien (53), S Kilbridge for Woulfe (57, inj).

Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).