Munster SHC Round Four

Limerick 3-26 Cork 1-16

Limerick delivered a commanding display at a sold-out TUS Gaelic Grounds, securing a 16-point win over Cork to book their place in the next phase of the Munster Championship. The result also ends Clare’s defence of their All-Ireland title.

John Kiely’s men were clinical from the outset, with early scores from Aaron Gillane and Tom Morrissey setting the tone. A first-half blitz saw them lead 2-18 to 0-9 at the break, with goals from Gillane and Adam English highlighting their attacking threat.

Cork, who had impressed in earlier rounds, struggled to match that same intensity. They battled bravely after the interval, with Patrick Horgan contributing 1-4, including a goal from a free, but Gillane’s second goal from a penalty sealed the result.

Limerick host Clare next Sunday, while at the same time, Waterford are the visitors to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Cork know that a draw will be enough to see them advance in third place, a win could set up a Munster final meeting with Limerick.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-7 (6fs), Tom Morrissey 0-5, Adam English 1-2, Gearoid Hegarty 0-3, Cathal O’Neill, Peter Casey 0-2, Shane O’Brien, Mike Casey, Cian Lynch, David Reidy, Diarmaid Byrnes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-9 (8fs), Seamus Harnedy 0-2, Mark Coleman, Rob Downey, Brian Hayes, Shane Barrett, Brian Roche 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash; Adam English, William O’Donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, David Reidy.

Subs: Darragh O’Donovan for O’Donoghue (37 – 39 blood); Seamus Flanagan for O’Brien (51); Cathal O’Neill for Tom Morrissey (51); Peter Casey for Reidy (59); Colin Coughlan for M Casey (67), Aidan O’Connor for Byrnes (68); Barry Murphy for D Morrissey (head inj – 73).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O’Donoghue; Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Ethan Twomey; Declan Dalton, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.

Subs: Brian Roche for Dalton (inj – 7); Cormac O’Brien for R Downey, Seamus Harnedy for E Twomey (both half-time); Damien Cahalane for O’Leary (inj 55); Robbie O’Flynn for Connolly (65).

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway).