Munster Hurling championship: Cork too strong for Waterford, Limerick hammered
Live |
Welcome to Independent.ie's GAA championship live blog with hurling's Munster and Leinster championships the main focus of today's action.
It promises to be another day of drama. Follow all the action around the grounds here.
Live scores:
Leinster SHC (2.0)
Wexford 2-19 Kilkenny 1-15 (full-time)
Dublin 3-15 Galway 0-29 (full-time)
Offaly 3-15 Antrim 1-16 (full-time)
Munster SHC (4.0)
Clare 3-20 Limerick 0-24 (full-time)
Cork 2-25 Waterford 1-22 (full-time)
Munster Ladies SFC final (2.30)
Kerry 2-6 Waterford 0-10 (full-time)
Connacht Ladies SFC final (1.0)
Galway 0-16 Mayo 1-4 (full-time)
Ulster MFC final (5.15)
Cavan v Tyrone
2 minutes ago
Colm Keys in Páirc Uí Chaoimh:
Cork.........2-25
Waterford....1-22
Cork lived dangerously against Waterford before securing safe passage to a Munster hurling final with Limerick in just under two weeks' time.
After the 16-point beating they took against Limerick in the previous round the Rebels needed a response but it only came in fits and starts and was far from the fluent response they might have expected in Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Ultimately it was a four-minute period towards the end of the third quarter when they scored 1-4 without reply that got the job done for a first Munster final in seven years.
Patrick Horgan got the goal after being put in by Brian Hayes who had got the first goal at the beginning of the second half when Tim O'Mahony blocked down Paddy Leavey and sent Darragh Fitzgibbon tearing down the left flank to put Hayes in.
But even those goals provided a relatively thin cushion as Waterford kept coming back and got a bounce of their own through a Stephen Bennett goal in the 58th minute.
But the closest Waterford could get was a goal and Cork, backed by the wind in the second half, always had the artillery to steer clear,despite recording 17 wides and dropping three more short throughout this final round fixture.
For Waterford it is more despair. They have yet to escape the round robin format in six attempts and for the fourth successive year they won't be hurling in June, a setback for the county after such a strong start in taking down All-Ireland champions Clare.
Ahead by 0-13 to 0-12 at the break after playing into the wind in the first half - Cork lost the toss - the home side had to be relatively happy with that position.
Waterford were lucky that Darragh Lyons wasn't sent off for striking out at Shane Barrett, catching him in the face. Clearly referee Johnny Murphy, who was close to the incident, deemed it a push.
But they kept at it even when Cork looked like stretching clear with Sean Walsh causing the Cork defence, in which Sean O'Donoghue, Ciaran Joyce and Mark Coleman were superb, plenty of trouble.
12 minutes ago
Ryan Taylor scored 2-2 for Clare as they salvaged some pride to beat Limerick and record their first win of the campaign. But Limerick are through to the Munster final regardless.
14 minutes ago
Cork's Ciaran Joyce is named man-of-the-match.
"It was a very tough game. At half-time, we were happy enough and we built on it in the second half," he says.
"We were very disappointed with last week. We only played to 50% of what we can. Thankfully, we can look forward to a Munster final now in two weeks."
17 minutes ago
Cork win by six, booking their place in the Munster final. It took them a while to get into their groove, but goals from Brian Hayes and Patrick Horgan saw them through.
Waterford fail to progress through the round-robin once again.
23 minutes ago
Diarmuid Healy responds for Cork, showing his pace to cut through before scoring off the hurl.
24 minutes ago
Stephen Bennett cuts Cork's lead to three with another free.
25 minutes ago
Stephen Bennett scores a free won by Aussie Gleeson, cutting the lead back to four.
27 minutes ago
Shane Kingston puts Cork five clear, but Stephen Bennett scores a free to bring the gap back to four. Five minutes left.
31 minutes ago
Aussie Gleeson comes on for Sean Walsh Waterford, bringing another huge roar from the crowd.
32 minutes ago
Jack Prendergast follows up the goal with another point for Waterford after Stephen Bennett was denied by the post. Three points in it now.
34 minutes ago
Goal for Waterford.
Stephen Bennett shows his enduring class, winning a ball-in off Eoin Downey before smashing low and hard into the net. Game on again.
42 minutes ago
Brian Hayes and Shane Barrett hit points increasing the lead to eight, with Cork kicking for home.
42 minutes ago
Cork hit their second goal. Millerick plays a great ball into Hayes who cuts through the middle and lays off to Horgan. He smashes it into the far corner, putting Cork six ahead.
The Sunday Game on Twitter / X
Cork have a second goal and it's Patrick Horgan who drives it into the net to extend the lead over Waterford 📺 Watch on @rte2 & @rteplayer📻 Sunday Sport @rteradio1Live blog 👇https://t.co/u3usmhW9S6 pic.twitter.com/vsuaiZR6PM— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025
x.com
External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties.
44 minutes ago
Diarmuid Healy comes on for Cork for Brian Roche.
48 minutes ago
The wides are racking up for Cork, who have hit 11 to Waterford's four. But tey still lead by three.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
John Kiely: 'I think they got a really good rub of green in that last piece'
LIMERICK MANAGER JOHN Kiely felt Cork got a break with the amount of injury-time played at the end of extra-time in tonight's Munster hurling final. Cork were rescued by Darragh Fitzgibbon's 93rd-minute '65 to force a penalty shootout, where they triumphed 3-2. Aaron Gillane's pointed free seemed set to be the match-winner and Kiely was disappointed with the amount of injury time then played by referee James Owens, the stand-in official who took charge after Thomas Walsh went off injured. 'I think they got a really good rub of green there just in that last piece. We felt that there was three minutes gone, you know It's hard to find three minutes of added time in a 10-minute half. 'There was only one minute in the first half, so you know, as I said, we'll have to go back, watch the tape, analyse it, break it down before we formulate a concrete opinion of it. But it was a little, I suppose, difficult to understand.' Advertisement Kiely hailed the character of his players. 'All told, I just have to be super proud of our lads, the effort they put in. It was just an incredible effort. You know, we've won six out of seven Munster finals. That record, I think will stand a long time. I think the extra-time piece, again, we have a great record in extra-time. 'I thought we were a better team in extra time. I think we created 14 scoring chances to their eight in extra-time. So I thought we had enough done to win the game in that extra-time period. 'We got to penalties and penalties are penalties. There's no dress-rehearsal for this. There's no practicing for this. It's just put your best foot forward and you know, you're taking a shot on behalf of the group. It's not on the lads. 'I thought Declan and Tom and Barry, you know, manfully put their hand up to take these penalties and as far as we're concerned, you know, it was it was our Limerick senior hurling team who lost this afternoon rather than Barry, or Declan or Tom, that's for sure.' He paid tribute to Cork and manager Pat Ryan on their victory. 'I think everybody would agree that it's in normal play that a game should be finished. But listen, these are the rules, these are the procedures and we have to go with that, you know. Fair play to Cork. They took the penalties when it came around. 'In fairness to Pat, Pat has done a fantastic job with that Cork team and, you know, to come down here and to get a win, is a serious achievement in a Munster final and we have to acknowledge that.' For the first time since 2018, Limerick must go a different championship route rather than progressing directly to the All-Ireland semi-finals. 'It's a different route , listen it's a must-win game in two weeks' time, it's knock-out hurling from now on. That's the end of it. 'So, you know, we will regroup, we will refresh. We're in a good place. 'We're beaten today, we're disappointed today. That's not to say that we're not going to be able to refresh, regroup and come again. I have every faith in these guys to get back to the wheel again next week. 'We'll take a bit of a break, we'll refresh, and we'll come strong, I've no doubt.'
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
'We were embarrassed here the last time. For us to get over the line is huge'
CORK BOSS PAT Ryan says Munster senior hurling success is 'huge' for the Rebels, having ended Limerick's remarkable dominance in the province. Cork edged a dramatic decider which went to a penalties at the Gaelic Grounds, and lifted the Mick Mackey Cup for the first time since 2018. Limerick were chasing seven in a row, but Cork reign supreme after a 3-2 penalty shootout followed a game deadlocked 1-30 to 2-27 after extra time. It marks a stunning turnaround from the 3-26 to 1-16 round-robin reversal at the same venue last month, which remained central to Ryan's thoughts as a Munster winning manager. 'Look, our fellas really dug in,' he told RTÉ afterwards. Advertisement 'It took an awful lot of effort over the last three weeks. We were embarrassed when we came up here the last time. Had to get over Waterford, that was a tough game, but we trained really, really well the last few weeks. We picked up a few injuries, sometimes when you freshen up the team and freshen up the panel… 'I knew the lads were going to fight on their backs today. This is a brilliant Limerick team, they were going for seven Munsters in a row, it'll never be done again. Look, we're just delighted to get a win.' Cork manager Pat Ryan gives his reaction after watching his side land the Munster title in Limerick.#rtegaa 📺@rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 📱Updates: — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 7, 2025 Ryan repeatedly praised Limerick in his TV interview as he reflected on a titanic battle, along with the challenge of nullifying Limerick's strengths while getting his own game plan across. 'Limerick are a brilliant team, they're going to win ball. The last day, they won ball uncontested. Today, we won ball contested. You just try to put pressure on all over the field, that's what every team is trying to do. You're going to win some ball, you're going to lose some ball, but our fellas stuck at it today. 'That's not saying that Limerick didn't. They stuck at it really well as well. For us to get over the line is huge.' 'People say, 'Oh go man mark Cian Lynch or…' you're not going to be able to stop them, like,' he continued. 'You're trying to win battles everywhere. Limerick are trying to do the same to us. 'The last day, we didn't get stuck into them. We left them with too much space around the place. I thought Cian Lynch was excellent in the first, but Ciaran really, really stuck at it for the whole game.' Shane Kingston celebrates a score. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Ryan also hailed impact substitutes Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane, who combined for 0-5 and two penalties in the shootout. 'They showed great commitment to the group. They weren't starting, some coming back from injuries, that puts you back behind in the pecking order. They never complained, they never waned, and they trained really, really hard. We had no fear bringing them on here today.' Asked what this means, Ryan concluded: 'Huge. It just gives you more confidence going forward. Obviously there's an All-Ireland series, we're in the semi-finals. There's brilliant teams left but we know that we can battle with anyone.'
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
John Kiely: Limerick loss not on penalty-takers
Limerick manager John Kiely said his side's defeat was not on the three players who missed penalties in the shootout as they finally surrendered their Munster crown against Cork at TUS Gaelic Grounds. Darragh Fitzgibbon's equaliser from a '65 deep in injury-time of extra-time sent the Munster SHC final to a penalty shootout for the first time in history. After Nickie Quaid had given the defending champions an early advantage in the shootout with a save from Fitzgibbon, misses from Barry Murphy, Tom Morrissey and Declan Hannon saw Cork end Limerick's bid for seven-in-a-row in the province. It was a first defeat in a final for Kiely's Limerick after 16 final victories in seven years - six Munsters, five All-Irelands, three National Leagues and three Munster Leagues. "There is no dress rehearsal for this, there is no practicing for this," Kiely said of the shootout afterwards. "It is just put your best foot forward. "You are taking a shot on behalf of the group, it is not on the lads. "I thought Declan, Tom, and Barry, manfully, put their hand up to take these penalties. "As far as we are concerned, it was Limerick senior hurling team that lost this afternoon. It wasn't anything to do with Barry, Tom, or Declan for sure." As to whether penalties should decide a Munster hurling final, Kiely responded: "I think everybody would agree that it is normal play that a game should be finished. "Listen these are the rules, these are the procedures, and we have to go with that. Fair play to Cork. They took the penalties when they came around." Declan Hannon misses his penalty as Cork win the shootout 3-2 to be crowned Munster champions. #rtegaa 📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Saturday Sport on @rteradio1 📱Updates: — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 7, 2025 While Kiely praised the performance of the original match referee Thomas Walsh, he did express some bemusement at the amount of injury-time added on in the second half of extra-time. By that time, Walsh, who reffed the game throughout normal time and the start of extra-time, had to be replaced after suffering from cramp and James Owens took the whistle for the remainder of the contest. "We felt there was three minutes gone, it is hard to find three minutes of added time in a 10-minute half. There was only one minute in the first-half. "As I said, we'll have to go back, watch the tape, analyse it, break it down before we formulate a concrete opinion of it. But it was a little difficult to understand. "I thought Thomas did a great job. It was a pity that he got injured. He did a fantastic job. We have to move on. That is the end of the Munster championship for us." As for the game itself, Kiely cited Limerick's reduced scoring efficiency from their round robin victory over Cork as a key factor but reiterated his pride in his players after what has been a mammoth, unprecedented run in the province. "Our efficiency overall wasn't where it was at against Cork the first day. Our efficiency was just a bit down today. We were creating scoring opportunities, but it was a very difficult wind as well. It was a swirling breeze, and hard to score for both teams. "Cork had 24 scoring chances in the first-half but only 15 scores in the opening half. Their shooting efficiency was low as well. "We have a great record in extra-time. I thought we played exceptionally well, I thought we were the better team in extra-time. "I think we created 14 scoring chances to their 8 in extra-time, so I thought we had enough done to win the game in that extra-time period. I think Cork got a really good rub of the green there just in that last piece. "All told, I have just to be super proud of our fellas for the effort they put in. It was just an incredible effort.
