Cork 3-13 Limerick 0-11

By John O’Shea at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Despite suffering an opening half scare, Cork ultimately did enough to secure the victory over Limerick in this Munster Senior Football Championship quarter final clash at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

John Cleary’s Cork side were seeking to build on their improvement in form, towards the conclusion of the Allianz Football League. Limerick, under the management of Jimmy Lee, were hoping to take the first steps on an upsurge in form.

A point by Mattie Taylor for Cork opened the scoring proceedings in this contest. Limerick responded however, proving they were well up for the battle as they led 0-4 to the 0-2 with 14 minutes played.

James Naughton got an exquisite score from distance, as Limerick were making the most of their opportunities, with Emmett Rigter also pointing.

Limerick were very much intent on ripping up the form book and they went in at the half time break ahead at 0-7 to 0-6, with Peter Nash getting a late point for the visitors on the stroke of half time.

Luke Fahy got a late Cork point, but they certainly knew an improvement was required going into the second half, with the Rebels missing three clear cut goal chances in the opening half, including one which forced a brilliant save from Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan.

Cork came out with renewed vigour early in the second half and a Brian O’Driscoll point put them ahead at 0-8 to 0-7.

With eight minutes of the second half played, Cork found the back of the net when Chris Óg Jones got on the end of a long ball over the top, before clinically firing to the corner of the net.

Cork assumed control, and they added further points through Luke Fahy and Brian Hurley, with Limerick only registering one second half point with the contest heading into the final quarter of an hour.

Limerick refused to throw the towel in and Shane Costelloe pointed to keep their hopes alive.

However, Cork netted for a second time on 62 minutes, when Ruairí Deane planted a fisted effort home from close range, which was followed up by a Conor Corbett point moments later. A third Cork goal arrived on 65 minutes when Ian Maguire found the back of the net.

Next up for Cork is a semi final meeting against the provincial kingpins and leading contenders for the All Ireland title Kerry.

That fixture is fixed for the April 20, with the Rebels looking to secure a first win in Killarney since 1995.

For Limerick attention now turns towards the Tailteann Cup, and they will take some encouragement from their performance on Leeside.

Scorers for Cork: Chris Óg Jones 1-2, Brian Hurley 0-4 (3fs), Ian Maguire, Ruairi Deane 1-0 each, Luke Fahy 0-2, Daniel O’Mahony, Matty Taylor, Brian O’Driscoll, Stephen Sherlock (f), Conor Corbett 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: James Naughton 0-4 (1f, 2 45s), Emmet Rigter 0-2, Peter Nash (f), Bryan Nix, Rob Childs, Shane Costelloe (m), Tommy Childs 0-1 each.

Cork: Christopher Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Luke Fahy, Sean Meehan, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan ; Paul Walsh, Sean Powter, Brian O’Driscoll; Chris Óg Jones, Conor Corbett , Brian Hurley.

Subs: Ruairi Deane for P Walsh (47), Maurice Shanley for S Meehan (49), Steven Sherlock for B Hurley (52), Mark Cronin for S Powter (60), John O’Rourke for B O’Driscoll (66).

Limerick: Josh Ryan; Darren O’Doherty, Sean O’Dea, Brian O’Sullivan; Cormac Woulfe, Cillian Fahy, Paul Maher; Tommy Childs, Emmet Rigter; Bryan Nix, Cathal Downes, James Naughton; Peter Nash, Robbie Childs, Danny Neville.

Subs: Shane Costelloe for C Downes, Barry Coleman for C Woulfe (both 55), Jamie Baynham for P Nash (60), Tommy Griffin for B Nix, Ruadhan O’Connor for B O’Sullivan (both 68)

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).