Limerick 3-20

Cork 1-16

A MORE EXPERIENCED Limerick side eventually pulled away from a battling Cork challenge in the Waterford Crystal Cup final at Mallow tonight.

Leading by five points at half-time, Limerick went seven clear inside a minute of the restart as Cian Lynch and Gavin O’Mahony pointed, but the hosts’ response was impressive. Cork scored five of the next six points, with Cian McCarthy, Andy Walsh and Luke O’Farrell all on target.

With just over 15 minutes left, that three-point gap, 2-15 to 1-15, still pertained but then Limerick struck for what was the winning of the game. Shane Dowling got his first point and then excellent midfielder James Ryan scored his fourth before Adrian Breen netted his second and Limerick’s third goal.

Spectators look on in Mallow. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Sub Pat Begley was barely on before he had won a great ball and his lay-off was perfectly weighted to allow Breen to pull to the net. Cork would only score once thereafter, through sub Patrick Horgan, as Limerick pulled clear.

Cork had led early on as Stephen Moylan goaled to put them 1-2 to 0-2 in front but Limerick then responded with an unanswered goal and four points, Gavin O’Mahony – playing at centre-forward – with the green flag.

Foreshadowing what would happen later, Cork produced a good response again, coming back to within two points after a McCarthy free. Breen plundered Limerick’s second goal when he reacted as Cork couldn’t clear a dropping ball and that ensured that five points separated the sides at half-time.

While the second half was topsy-turvy, Limerick had the more powerful finish.

Donal O'Grady poses with the Waterford Crystal Cup. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Limerick: Adrian Breen 2-3, Gavin O’Mahony 1-2, James Ryan, Cian Lynch 0-4 each, Tom Morrissey, Tom Condon 0-2 each, Niall Moran, Shane Dowling, Cathal King 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Cian McCarthy 0-8 (0-3f), Stephen Moylan 1-0, Paul Haughney, A Walsh 0-2 each, Brian Murray, Luke O’Farrell, Brian Lawton, Patrick Horgan 0-1 each.

LIMERICK

1. Nickie Quaid

2. Stephen Walsh
3. Richie McCarthy
4. Seamus Hickey

5. Tom Condon
6. Donal O’Grady
7. Dan Morrissey

8. James Ryan
9. Cathal King

10. Niall Moran
11. Gavin O’Mahony
12. Cian Lynch

13. Tom Morrissey
14. Shane Dowling
15. Adrian Breen

Subs:

18. Paul Browne for Moran (39, injured)
17. Wayne McNamara for Condon (41)
22. Patrick Begley for King (55)
21. John Fitzgibbon for Lynch (60)
20. Conor Allis for O’Grady (65)

CORK

1. Patrick Collins

2. William Kearney
3. Damien Cahalane
4. Seán O’Donoghue

5. Brian O’Sullivan
6. Lorcán McLoughlin
7. Glen O’Connor

8. Paul Haughney
9. Andy Walsh

12. Brian Lawton
11. Cian McCarthy
10. Brian Murray

13. Stephen Moylan
14. Luke O’Farrell
15. Darren McCarthy

Subs:

25. Séamus Harnedy for Murray (half-time)
19. Mark Ellis for O’Connor (half-time)
26. Patrick Horgan for Darren McCarthy (47)
17. Conor O’Sullivan for O’Donoghue (54)

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)

Originally published on 31 January at 21.22

Donegal get the Rory Gallagher era off to a winning start against Derry

Monaghan’s second half blitz overcomes Tyrone – and the darkness – in Omagh