Cork’s reign as Allianz Hurling League champions ended with defeat to Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. In a scrappy and disjointed contest, Cork never led, though they mounted a late push after trailing by nine points at half-time. Limerick ultimately finished stronger to secure victory.

Despite playing with the breeze in the second half, Cork struggled to build momentum and failed to score consecutively for much of the third quarter. Limerick extended their lead to six points by the 56th minute, but Cork responded with a brief surge, with Hugh O’Connor, Tim O’Mahony, and William Buckley all scoring to cut the gap to two. However, that proved as close as they would get.

Aaron Gillane was a key figure for Limerick, finishing with 1-7, while Cork’s Brian Hayes impressed with 1-3, including a first-half goal following a turnover. Limerick had started strongly, racing into an early lead with the aid of the wind, and maintained control despite Cork’s efforts to close the gap.

Cork showed improvement before half-time, reducing the deficit to three points, but were unable to capitalise after the restart. Late chances, including a goal opportunity for Robbie O’Flynn, went unconverted as Limerick pulled away in the closing stages.

Attention now turns to the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, where the sides will meet again on April 26 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, following Cork’s opener away to Tipperary.

Scorers for Limerick: A Gillane 1-7 (0-3 f), A O’Connor 0-8 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), A English, D Byrnes (0-1 f, 0-1 65) 0-3 each, C O’Neill, G Hegarty 0-2 each, S O’Brien, D Reidy 0-1 each.

Cork: A Connolly 0-7 f, B Hayes 1-3, W Buckley 0-3, D Fitzgibbon, T O’Mahony (0-1 f), 0-2 each, T O’Connell, S Harnedy, M Coleman, H O’Connor 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Finn, M Casey, B Nash; D Byrnes, W O’Donoghue, K Hayes; A English, C Lynch; G Hegarty, A O’Connor, C O’Neill; A Gillane, S O’Brien, D Reidy.

Subs: P Casey for O’Neill (32-half-time), P Casey for O’Brien (53), D O’Donovan for O’Connor (58), E Hurley for Lynch (67), C Coughlan for Byrnes (70+3).

CORK: P Collins; N O’Leary, C Joyce, S O’Donoghue; E Downey, R Downey, M Mullins; T O’Mahony, T O’Connell; S Harnedy, S Barrett, D Fitzgibbon; W Buckley, A Connolly, B Hayes.

Subs: G Millerick for O’Donoghue (35+1, injured), M Coleman for Mullins (48), H O’Connor for Harnedy (51), R O’Flynn for O’Connell (62), D Dalton for Buckley (69), D Cahalane for R Downey (70+2).

Referee: S Hynes (Galway).