Good afternoon, folks.

Welcome along to our liveblog of this afternoon’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship fixture at the LIT Gaelic Grounds, where Limerick will begin their defence of the Liam MacCarthy Cup against a Cork side who’ll be eager to bounce back from their defeat to Tipperary last weekend.

Throw-in for this one is at 4pm.

If there are any changes before throw-ib we’ll keep you posted, but here’s how the teams are expected to line out…

Limerick

1. Nicky Quaid (Effin)

2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
4. Richie English (Doon)

5. Diarmuid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6. Declan Hannon (Adare)
7. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)

8. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
9. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon) 

10. Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
11. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

13. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
15. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)

Subs:

16. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
17. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
18. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
19. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)
20. Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock)
21. Barry Murphy (Doon)
22. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
23. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)
24. Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)
25. William O’Meara (Askeaton/Ballysteen)
26. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)

Cork

1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)

2. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
4. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons)

5. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)

8. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)

10. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields)
11. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
12. Luke Meade (Newcestown)

13. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
14. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
15. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)

Subs:

16. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
17. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers)
18. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarrs)
19. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum)
20. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
21. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills)
22. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own)
23. Shane Kingston (Douglas)
24. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
25. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills)
26. Jack O’ Connor (Sarsfields)

These two are ready for action…

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

We’re told that there are no changes to either team, so they’ll start as originally selected.

“I’m expecting a huge performance from Cork today, and I think Cork are going to win,” says Donal Óg Cusack in the RTÉ studio.

Limerick 0-0 Cork 0-0

The action is underway on Shannonside.

Limerick 0-0 Cork 0-0

Early chance for Limerick’s Tom Morrissey but it goes high and wide.

Limerick 0-1 Cork 0-0

Daniel Kearney fouls Cian Lynch and Diarmuid Byrnes puts Limerick ahead with the free from 65 metres out.

Limerick 0-1 Cork 0-1

Kearney wins a free for Cork, fouled by Byrnes. The free from similar range to Byrnes’ earlier score is converted by Patrick Horgan.

Cork 0-2 Limerick 0-2

Conor Lehane gives Cork the lead with the game’s first point from play, but Aaron Gillane issues a quick response.

Cork 0-2 Limerick 0-2

Concern for Cork as Lehane comes off after falling awkwardly while scoring earlier. After an injury absence of his own, in comes Alan Cadogan.

Limerick 0-3 Cork 0-2

Graeme Mulcahy nudges Limerick in front.

Limerick 0-3 Cork 0-3

And we’re level once again thanks to Seamus Harnedy.

Limerick 0-3 Cork 0-3

Darragh Fitzgibbon’s attempt to put Cork in front drops short into the paw of Nicky Quaid.

Cork 0-4 Limerick 0-3

Great start for Alan Cadogan, who gives Cork the lead with his first involvement.

Cork 0-4 Limerick 0-4

With a free from about 55 metres out, Gillane levels the game.

Limerick 0-5 Cork 0-4

After excellent work by Gillane, Mulcahy fires Limerick back into the lead.

Limerick 0-6 Cork 0-4

Gearoid Hegarty fouled by Mark Coleman while bearing down on goal, and Gillane does the honours from just outside the 21-metre line.

Limerick's Cian Lynch under pressure from Daniel Kearney of Cork. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Limerick 0-6 Cork 0-5

Horgan brings Cork back to within a point with a free after Fitzgibbon was fouled by Hegarty.

Limerick 0-7 Cork 0-5

Kyle Hayes quickly restores Limerick’s two-point buffer.

Limerick 0-7 Cork 0-5

Kearney fouled by Hayes on the left touchline, about 40 metres out, and Horgan’s free from a tight angle goes narrowly wide.

Limerick 0-7 Cork 0-6

Horgan makes no mistake this time to narrow the gap to a point.

Limerick 0-7 Cork 0-7

Kearney slots the ball over to get his first point, which levels the contest again.

Limerick 0-7 Cork 0-7

Cork’s Bill Cooper receiving treatment after appearing to take a knock to the head but he’s given the all-clear to continue.

Limerick 0-8 Cork 0-7

With as free from halfway, Limerick regain the lead courtesy of Diarmuid Byrnes.

Limerick 0-8 Cork 0-8

After a Hegarty effort to increase Limerick’s lead drops short, Cork go up the other end and draw level through a Horgan score from play.

Limerick 0-8 Cork 0-8

From wide on the right, about 60 metres out, Gillane hits a free just wide.

GOAL! Limerick 1-8 Cork 0-8 (Graeme Mulcahy, 26)

Limerick 1-8 Cork 0-8

What a goal for Limerick! After a brilliant team move, Declan Hannon’s shot drops into Mulcahy, who beats Anthony Nash with an emphatic finish from a tight angle.

Cork then looked to hit right back as Harnedy marched through but Quaid does brilliantly to deny him.

Limerick 1-8 Cork 0-9

Huge score from Horgan to reduce the gap to two points.

Limerick 1-9 Cork 0-9

Mulcahy points for Limerick to take his personal tally to 1-3.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-9

With a free from close range, Gillane pushes Limerick four points in front.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-9

Horgan takes a free from a very difficult angle on the left but he’s unable to steer it between the posts.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-10

Harnedy gets his second point of the day for Cork to leave a goal between the teams again as half-time approaches.

Cork's Robert Downey and Mark Coleman in pursuit of Gearoid Hegarty of Limerick. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-10

With a free from just inside his own half, Horgan strikes wide again.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-10

Four additional minutes to be played at the end of the first half.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-11

Another one for Harnedy brings Cork closer.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-12

With 38 minutes on the clock, Horgan sends a free between the posts and the gap is down to the minimum.

Limerick 1-10 Cork 0-12

Potential goal chance for Gearoid Hegarty but he’s unable to get it under control and Cork get the ball clear.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

Coleman penalised — and booked — perhaps unfairly for tussling with Hegarty, and Gillane slots over a straightforward free on the stroke of half-time.

Half-time: Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

As expected, a very enjoyable first half of hurling between the reigning All-Ireland and Munster champions.

Neither side appearing pleased with referee Paud O’Dwyer as they head into the dressing rooms for the interval.

A much-improved display from Cork on last weekend’s defeat to Tipperary, but it’s Limerick who have the upper hand nevertheless.

We’ll be back shortly for more.

Graeme Mulcahy scores Limerick's goal. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

First half scorers…

Limerick: Graeme Mulcahy 1-3, Aaron Gillane 0-5 (0-4), Diamuid Byrnes 0-2 (0-2), Kyle Hayes 0-1.

Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-6 (0-5f), Seamus Harnedy 0-3, Dan Kearney, Alan Cadogan and Conor Lehane 0-1 each.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

The game has resumed.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

Stephen McDonnell has replaced Sean O’Donoghue for Cork.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

Concern for Limerick as Richie English is down receiving treatment following a collision with Alan Cadogan.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

English looks okay and the game continues as the rain begins to come down in Limerick.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

Peter Casey with the first effort of the second half but he misses the target for Limerick.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-12

Two wides in a row for Limerick, for whom Tom Morrissey sees his shot sail to the wrong side of the posts.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-13

Lovely hand-pass from Alan Cadogan sets up Luke Meade to get the second-half’s opening score.

Limerick 1-11 Cork 0-14

A third consecutive wide from Limerick, this time from a Darragh O’Donovan sideline cut.

Cork follow up with a levelling point via Alan Cadogan.

Limerick 1-12 Cork 0-14

Cian Lynch wins Limerick a free and Gillane restores their lead.

Limerick 1-12 Cork 0-14

A chance for Cadogan to level the game again but he shoots wide.

Limerick 1-12 Cork 0-14

In fact, the play has been brought back for a foul on Kearney. Horgan uncharacteristically squanders the opportunity, his fourth wide today.

Limerick 1-12 Cork 0-15

After some confusion between the umpires, Horgan’s long-range free is deemed to be the game’s levelling score.

Limerick 1-12 Cork 0-15

Horgan tries to give Cork the lead with an effort from play but it goes wide.

Limerick 1-12 Cork 0-15

31,274 is the attendance at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Cork 0-16 Limerick 1-12

Horgan makes no mistake this time with a fine score from play and Cork are in the lead.

Cork 0-16 Limerick 1-13

Mulcahy takes his tally to 1-4 to ensure Cork’s lead doesn’t last too long. This is the ninth times the teams have been level.

Cork 0-17 Limerick 1-13

Walsh tees up Kearney and Cork regain the lead.

Cork 0-18 Limerick 1-13

Coleman sends in a huge sideline cut, Kearney gathers and increases Cork’s advantage.

Cork 0-18 Limerick 1-14

Lynch is fouled by Ellis and Gillane converts the free from 21 metres out.

The programme box (well, we assume) coming in handy in the Gaelic Grounds. https://t.co/WLYMrlyHct pic.twitter.com/aB7BMrN43v

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 19, 2019

GOAL! Cork 1-18 Limerick 1-14 (Patrick Horgan, 52)

Cork 1-18 Limerick 1-15

Horgan collects Meade’s ball upfield and produces a fine finish to push Cork further ahead.

Gillane responds with a free for Limerick. Frantic stuff at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Christopher Joyce has replaced Robert Downey on the Cork team.

Cork 1-19 Limerick 1-15

Brilliant Alan Cadogan point from wide on the right makes it a four-point game.

Cork 1-20 Limerick 1-15

Harnedy is accurate with a long-range effort for Cork, who are flying at the moment.

Cork 1-20 Limerick 1-15

Limerick have introduced Shane Dowling to replace Gearoid Hegarty.

Cork 1-20 Limerick 1-15

Hayes has a go for Limerick from wide on the right but he’s off target.

Cork 1-21 Limerick 1-15

A superb score from Meade has Cork six points to the good.

Cork 1-21 Limerick 1-15

Darragh O’Donovan uncharacteristically scuffs a sideline cut attempt, which kind of sums up Limerick’s second half so far.

Cork 1-21 Limerick 1-15

From deep inside his own half, Horgan’s ambitious effort with a free drifts to the left.

Cork 1-21 Limerick 1-15

Another long-range strike from Horgan — this time from play — also goes wide.

Cork 1-21 Limerick 1-16

Tom Morrissey gets his first point to bring the gap back to five.

Cork 1-22 Limerick 1-16

Good build-up play involving Coleman and Harnedy allows Fitzgibbon to point for the Rebels.

Cork 1-22 Limerick 1-16

Lynch bears down on the Cork goal but he’s crowded out and the Rebels get the ball clear. Moments later at the other end, substitute Shane Kingston is robbed of a goal chance by Diarmuid Byrnes. Pulsating passage of play.

Cork 1-22 Limerick 1-17

Gillane scores a close-range free for Limerick. Five points between the teams with four minutes of normal time to play.

Cork 1-23 Limerick 1-17

Seconds after being introduced as a substitute for Aidan Walsh, Declan Dalton hits an outstanding score for Cork.

Cork 1-23 Limerick 1-17

Diarmuid Byrnes drops a free in for Limerick but Eoin Cadogan collects and Cork come out with the ball.

Cork 1-23 Limerick 1-17

Five additional minutes to be played!

Cork 1-23 Limerick 1-18

Dowling gets his first point since coming on with a free from a difficult angle.

Cork 1-23 Limerick 1-18

Sean Finn with a crucial intervention to deny Dalton a shot at goal for Cork.

Cork 1-24 Limerick 1-18

Horgan moves to a personal tally of 1-9 with an excellent score from play, before Anthony Nash saves Barry Murphy’s goal attempt for Limerick.

Cork 1-25 Limerick 1-18

A huge score from inside his own half by Daniel Kearney, who has been outstanding for Cork.

Cork 1-25 Limerick 1-19

Kyle Hayes is fouled by Niall O’Leary about 30 metres out from goal. Shane Dowling takes the point from the free.

Cork 1-26 Limerick 1-19

A second point from Dalton leaves Cork seven in front with seconds remaining.

Full-time: Cork 1-26 Limerick 1-19

Patrick Horgan celebrates after scoring Cork's goal. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

A superb performance from Cork to bounce back from their loss to Tipperary seven days ago, as Limerick suffer a seven-point defeat in their first championship outing as All-Ireland champions.