Limerick seal Munster MHC final berth with dominant win over Cork

Stephen McHugh, Cork, Conor Ryan and John O'Riordan, Limerick. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Munster MHC: Cork 0-18 Limerick 2-21 

There was no doubting Limerick’s superiority as victory over Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday night sent them through to the Electric Ireland Munster MHC final.

While this was not a provincial semi-final in the strictest sense, it would be a case of winner advancing to face Tipperary as long as Tipp did not lose to Waterford, in which case scoring difference would come into play.

As things transpired, Tipp’s victory and the result here meant head-to-head records determining matters at both ends of the table – Limerick took second ahead of Cork, who now go to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals along with Clare, who had been on the brink of elimination after finishing their programme last week with a loss to Cork but survived thanks to their earlier win over Waterford.

Limerick asserted themselves from the off. While Cork had the opening score with a Bobby Power free in the first minute, the visitors’ response of three points in a row were indicative of what was to come.

Initially, there was a strong response to that as Stephen McHugh landed a fine point from the left sideline and Carroll added two more frees following fouls on Sam Ring and Carroll himself.

That left Cork 0-4 to 0-3 ahead with the clock showing 14 minutes but it was the last time they led. Instead, seven points on the trot from Limerick gave them a commanding advantage.

Centre-back Conor Ryan and centre-forward Ryan Foley impressed for the visitors during this period but Cork made the Shannonsiders’ task a bit easier as they were turned over on their own puckout more than once.

After a good Eamon O’Sullivan point made it 0-12 to 0-6 in the 29th minute, Cork did managed to pull two back courtesy of Power frees. 

However, after a chance to cut the lead to three was not taken, Limerick finished the half with points from Dáire Long and a lovely individual effort from John O’Riordan to retire with a 0-14 to 0-8 advantage.

Another pointed Power free opened the second half for Cork and they had sight of goal when Liam O’Regan’s arrowed delivery was claimed by Sam Ring but Limerick goalkeeper Sam Collins saved well.

Power put the resultant 65 over the bar but Limerick always retained the capacity to respond and Eoin Hennessy and Waters (free) made it 0-16 to 0-10 on 39.

Cork sub Ryan Cagney got the first of four points following a nice Ring pass and a long-range Power free again cut Cork’s deficit to four by the three-quarter mark but it was as close as they came – Diarmuid Crowe’s impressive catch and lay-off allowed Limerick midfielder Xavier Nelligan to charge forward before finishing to the net and Waters’ fifth opened up an eight-point advantage.

Tom Huggins, another who contributed off the Cork bench, had two points as they came back to within six but any doubts about the outcome were put to bed when Crowe got Limerick’s second with five minutes left, his low shot deceiving Walsh.

The same nine-point margin pertained at the end, sending Limerick forward in buoyant form while Cork must regroup.

Scorers for Cork: B Power 0-9 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), R Cagney 0-4, T Huggins 0-2, S McHugh, C Murphy, C Coffey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: S Waters 0-7 (0-4 f), D Crowe 1-2, X Nelligan 1-1, R Foley 0-3, D Long 0-2, D O’Grady, E O’Sullivan, C Hickey, E Hennessy, R Horgan, J O’Riordan 0-1 each.

CORK: M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), F Cahill (Midleton), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); E Considine (Sarsfields), D Nolan (Erin’s Own), C Barry (Bride Rovers); T Murphy (Cloughduv), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum); T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), B Power (Ballincollig), L O’Regan (St Finbarr’s); C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), C Murphy (Ballinora), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

Subs: R Cagney (Mallow) for T Murphy (11-16), Cagney for Murphy (25, injured), C Ronayne (Dungourney) for McCarthy (37), D Barry (Douglas) for O’Regan (42), T Huggins (Sarsfields) for C Murphy (49), S Riordan (Kilworth) for McHugh (58).

LIMERICK: S Collins; R Collins, W Ryan, S Mitchell; E Hennessy, C Ryan, J O’Riordan; X Nelligan, J Roche; D Crowe, R Foley, S Waters; E O’Sullivan, D O’Grady, D Long.

Subs: R Horgan for Long (37), G O’Brien for O’Grady (43), C Hickey for Roche (55), C Burke for O’Sullivan (58), B Gavin for O’Riordan (60).

Referee: E O’Leary (Clare).