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).

Cork v Limerick – Allianz Hurling League Final Match Day Information

Venue: T.U.S. Gaelic Grounds, Ennis Road, Limerick
Date: Sunday, April 5th, 2026
Throw-in: 4:00pm Stadium Open from 12:30pm.

Clare will play Dublin in the Division 1B Final at 1:45pm, followed by Limerick v Cork in the Division 1A Final at 4:00pm.

A capacity crowd of 44,000 is expected to attend the games. Supporters are advised to plan their journey in advance and allow plenty of time for travel.

Important Ticket Information

• Supporters are asked to download their tickets in advance to their phone or print their tickets
• Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted for entry to this fixture
• Please ensure your ticket is ready for scanning before arriving at the stadium

Match Coverage

The game will be shown live on TG4.

 

Garda Traffic Management Plan

A comprehensive Garda Traffic Management Plan will be in operation to cater for the Allianz Hurling League Finals at T.U.S. Gaelic Grounds.

Significant traffic disruption is expected in Limerick City and on all approach roads.

• Arrive in plenty of time
• Park legally and do not cause obstruction
• Do not park on green areas or where parking is prohibited
• Vehicles parked illegally may be ticketed or towed

Travel Advice

Patrons are strongly advised to consider parking in Limerick city centre and walking to the stadium, as this will save considerable time on journeys home after the games.

• Keep to speed limits
• Never drink and drive
• Do not text or use your phone while driving

Suggested Route:
Limerick Tunnel → N18 → Exit 5 (Portdrine/Cratloe) → N18 Flyover → Southern Ring Road → Caherdavin Exit (R445) → Ennis Road

Road Closures and Diversions (From 12:00pm)

• Sarsfield Bridge – closed to outbound traffic (diversion via Henry Street / Sarsfield Street)
• Condell Road / Shelbourne Road Lower – no right turn permitted
• Clancy Strand / High Road – no traffic permitted
• Belfield Court / High Road – residential traffic only
• Stenson Park / Sexton Street North – residential traffic only
• Hassetts Cross / Shelbourne Road – Shelbourne Road closed; diversion via Cratloe Road and Sexton Street North
• Ennis Road / Ivan’s Cross – traffic diverted to Northern Ring Road and Clonmacken Road
• Salesian’s School / North Circular Road – road closure
• Shelbourne Road / North Circular Road (Clanmaurice Avenue) – road closure
• Union Cross – traffic diverted to Shelbourne Road
• Shelbourne Park / Shelbourne Road – road closure
• Shelbourne Road / Mayorstone Drive – road closure
• Cratloe Road / Mayorstone Avenue – road closure
• Cratloe Road / Mayorstone Upper – road closure
• Cratloe Road / Mayorstone Upper & T.U.S. Roundabout (Merval Park) – road closure
• Ennis Road / Derravaragh Road – local residents only

Parking Information

• Motorists are advised to park in Limerick city centre and walk to the stadium (approximately 30 minutes)
• Parking is available in city centre car parks and on-street parking
• Parking available on Ennis Road between Coonagh Roundabout and Caherdavin Cross
• Parking available at the T.U.S. Campus, Old Cratloe Road

Road Closures Impacting Parking:
Ennis Road from Sarsfield Bridge to Caherdavin Cross will be closed from 12:00pm
Shelbourne Road from Hassetts Cross to Condell Road will be closed from 12:00pm

Disability Parking:
Disability parking passes for T.U.S. Gaelic Grounds are only available through GAA County Boards

Bus & Coach Parking:

• No specific bus or coach parking near T.U.S. Gaelic Grounds
• Drop-off and collection only at Cratloe Road and Condell Road
• Coaches should park in designated city centre coach parking areas

After Game Traffic Management

Priority will be given to patrons exiting T.U.S. Gaelic Grounds after the games.

• Ennis Road closed from Sarsfield Bridge to Caherdavin Cross
• Two outbound lanes on Ennis Road from Caherdavin Cross to Coonagh Roundabout
• Outbound traffic directed via R445 → N18 → Exit 5 Portdrine/Cratloe → Southern Ring Road → Tunnel Toll Plaza and Limerick Tunnel
• Condell Road closed to inbound traffic at Coonagh Roundabout
• Traffic on Clonmacken Road directed towards Clonmacken Roundabout and Condell Road
• Inbound Ennis Road traffic via Sarsfield Bridge to city centre
• Inbound Cratloe Road traffic via Sexton Street North, Thomond Bridge, Island Road and Dublin Road
• Brookeville Avenue at the T.U.S. Roundabout closed
• Redgate Road at Old Cratloe Road closed (residents only)

Final Reminder

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, follow Garda instructions, plan their journey in advance and allow extra time for both arrival and departure.