Limerick regain Munster Senior Hurling title with stunning win over Cork:
By Joel Slattery Limerick Leader Sport
LIMERICK have regained the Munster Senior Hurling title, producing a battling second half display to defend defending champions Cork 1-21 to 2-17 on Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
John Kiely’s men won the title back after the Rebels took the Mick Mackey Cup last year after a dramatic penalty shootout.
This one was decided in 70 minutes however, as the Shannonsiders ended the first half scoring the last four points against a stiff breeze.
They managed to hold out after over seven minutes of injury time.
Cork had the aid of a huge breeze in the first half, but the sides shared the first four points in the opening exchanges, Peter Casey and an Aidan O’Connor ‘65 getting Limerick on the board.
The first big moment of the game came when Cork were awarded an eighth-minute penalty, Kyle Hayes adjusted to have fouled Brian Hayes. Up stepped Mark Colemna who beat Nickie Quaid with a low, hard effort.
A ‘65 and a long range from Tim O’Mahony stretched Cork’s lead before an O’Connor free ended a 10-minute scoreless run for Kiely’s men.
Limerick shot back into the game then with a moment of brilliance from Gearoid Hegarty. The St Patrick’s man caught Diarmaid Byrnes’ dropping free, turned and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Limerick were at their best at the other end – Nickie Quaid making a breathtaking save from a Diarmuid Healy effort that seemed destined to hit the top corner. Tim O’Mahony knocked over the resultant ‘65 to give the hosts a 1-8 to 1-5 lead after 25 minutes.
William Buckley, Alan Connolly and Robert Downey extended this lead as half-time approached.
Limerick replied through and O’Connor free and an effort where perseverance was rewarded for Cathal O’Neill, who reduced the gap to four.
Shane O’Brien was a late addition to the side, replacing Adam English got himself off the mark late in the half before O’Connor’s fourth placed ball of the half round off the first period scoring. Limerick trailing 1-11 to 1-9 at the interval.
The Treaty continued where they left of after the break, Tom Morrissey slotting over just 23 seconds after the restart.
But Cork struck back. A searing run from Tommy O’Connell played in Brian Hayes who, despite losing his footing, batted home.
But the hosts didn’t push on from here and Limerick hit the next three in a row – two from O’Connor placed balls and Morrissey’s second. The Ahane man tapped over after O’Connor’s initial shot for a goal was well dealt with by Patrick Collins.
It was tit-for-tat after this with Cork still two ahead going into the final quarter.
O’Connor reduced the gap to one with eight minutes to go, knocking over his first from play.
Connolly’s frees however were keeping Cork ahead in the dying stages.
Limerick finally gained parity when Hegarty tapped over a point after a huge Kyle Hayes run to tie the game just as the clock struck 70.
Kiely’s side remarkably took the lead when Peter Casey hit a stunner from the sideline. Connolly’s seventh free quickly levelled matters again.
Up stepped Casey again to knock Limerick back in front.
SCORERS – Cork: Alan Connolly 0-7 (67); Tim O’Mahony 0-4 (1f, 3 ‘65); Brian Hayes 1-1; Mark Coleman 1-0 (1-0 pen); William Buckley and Diarmuid Healy 0-2 each; Robert Downey 0-1.
Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-8 (5f, 2 ‘65); Gearoid Hegarty 1-1; Diarmaid Byrnes (2f, 1 ‘65) and Peter Casey 0-3 each; Tom Morrissey 0-2; Cian Lynch, Barry Nash, Cathal O’Neill and Shane O’Brien 0-1 each.
CORK: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Damian Cahalane, Sean O’Donoghue; Eoin Downey, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Tommy O’Connell; Barry Walsh, Shane Barrett, Diarmuid Healy; Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes, William Buckley.
Subs: Cormac O’Brien for O’Donoghue (41 mins); Seamus Harnedy for Walsh (64 mins); Hugh O’Connor for O’Connell (70 mins)
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Cian Lynch, Darragh O’Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey.
Subs: Tom Morrissey for O’Neill (35 mins); Adam English for Gillane (48 mins); Mike Casey for Nash (temporary 65-68 mins); David Reidy for O’Brien (65 mins)
REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford).