Limerick 0-16 Cork 1-11
Senior star Cian Lynch claimed the man-of-the-match award as Limerick were crowned Bord Gáis Energy Munster Under-21 hurling champions at the Gaelic Grounds.
Defeat for visiting Cork denied the Rebels a provincial ‘clean sweep’ after victories at Under-17, minor and senior level this summer.
Cork failed in their quest to add a first U-21 crown in ten years as Limerick marched on to an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Galway on August 20th.
A massive crowd, 11,774, was present to witness Limerick claim their eighth Munster Under-21 title in all.
In marked contrast to their 11 and 13-point victories over Tipperary and Clare in previous outings, this was more of a dogfight for Limerick, but they emerged victorious with Aaron Gillane top-scoring with six pointed frees.
The free count did heavily favour Limerick, with Cork fans voicing their frustration with match referee Rory McGann, but the hosts were deserved winners on the balance of play.
They had roared into a 0-7 to 0-0 lead within 14 minutes, before Cork rallied to trail by just four points at the break, 1-4 to 0-11.
Real tonic
The goal, skilfully scored by Tim O’Mahony, who turned his marker and finished with aplomb in the 26th minute, proved a real tonic for Cork.
But Limerick, who turned to play into the breeze in the second half, would ultimately prevail, despite going 18 minutes without a score from the 39th minute.
That allowed Cork to work their way back to within two points – 1-9 to 0-14 – before a Gillane free with three minutes left stopped the Limerick rot.
Gillane lofted over another to give Limerick a four-point cushion but Cork hit back with points from senior stars Coleman (free) and Shane Kingston.
But this was a night when, bar O’Mahony’s effort, Cork found goal chances at a premium.
Kyle Hayes operated effectively in the sweeper role for Limerick and the Leesiders struggled to break through.
Declan Dalton was Cork’s semi-final hero with a massive 1-12 haul against Waterford but he was restricted to just two pointed frees here.
LIMERICK: E McNamara; S Finn, D Fanning, D Joy; R Lynch (0-2f), K Hayes, T Grimes (0-2); C Ryan, R Hanley; A Gillane (0-6f), M Mackey (0-1), C Lynch; B Nash (0-2), P Casey (0-2), T Morrissey (0-1). Subs: P Ahern for Casey (43 mins), C Boylan for Mackey (47 mins), B Murphy for Morrissey (56 mins), L Lyons for Hanley (60+2 mins).
CORK: P Collins; D Griffin, E Murphy, J Cashman; S O'Donoghue, M Coleman (0-2f), D Browne; D Lowney, P Leopold; C O'Leary, M O'Halloran (0-2), S Kingston (0-3); D Dalton (0-2f), R O'Flynn (0-1), T O'Mahony (1-1). Subs: J O'Connor for O'Leary (40 mins), D O'Neill for Lowney (56 mins), J Looney for O'Mahony (57 mins), C Cahalane for Cashman (60+2 mins).
