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Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Munster mayhem: Cork are champions after dramatic penalty shoot out in Limerick
Munster SHC final: Limerick 2-27 Cork 1-30 (AET, Cork win 3-2 on penalties) Cork are the Munster SHC champions for the first time in seven years after putting their 16-point defeat to Limerick last month well and truly behind in a historic final in TUS Gaelic Grounds. For the first time in Liam MacCarthy Cup history, a final went to penalties and when Darragh Fitzgibbon's opening penalty for Cork was saved by Nickie Quaid things looked tight for the visitors. However, Barry Murphy sent his strike wide and Tom Morrissey's hit was saved. After Alan Connolly converted his penalty, Limerick needed to make their next but Declan Hannon's effort dribbled wide and the realms of red in the 43,580 crowd were in raptures. On the back of their wily replacements Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane, Cork drove for the finish but their toil seemed to be in vain when Damien Cahalane committed a tired foul on Shane O'Brien. Aaron Gillane capitalised yet that was not the end. Nickie Quaid touched a ball out for a 65 and Darragh Fitzgibbon arrowed the placed ball between the sticks to force the unprecedented. The teams couldn't be divided at the turnaround of extra-time either. Opting to play with the wind for the first half of extra-time, Limerick went two up through substitute Declan Hannon in the opening seconds and Aaron Gillane converting a free he won. Referee Thomas Walsh had to retire with cramp and was replaced by stand-by official and linesman James Owens. With a Darragh Fitzgibbon free and a Kieran Kingston angled point, Cork were back on level terms and then Lehane, who had won the free, broke a ball to himself and found his range. After Kyle Hayes and Gillane wides, the latter sent over a free to make it 2-22 to 1-25 at the interval. Both teams went ahead in the second period and all the scorers were substitutes. Kingston's third point in the 88th minute was cancelled out by Cathal O'Neill after he had sent a strike wide before Cahalane's foul on Shane O'Brien gave Limerick what seemed to be the match-winning free. But Fitzgibbon was able to send the Munster final into unchartered territory. Diarmuid Healy of Cork in action against Barry Nash. Picture: John Sheridan/Sportsfile In the absence of a blistering start in normal time, a typical power quarter by Limerick was expected after the break as they trailed by four points. However, it wasn't until the introduction of Shane O'Brien that they drew level in the 47th minute. Cork were caught sleeping with a Gearóid Hegarty free finding Gillane who controlled the ball and fed O'Brien to finish emphatically. Limerick were unable to build on it, though. Five times Cork went ahead and each time Limerick cancelled out the lead. Darragh Fitzgibbon was the ringmaster in helping to keep Cork's noses in front but another Limerick alternation, Darragh O'Donovan, broke that pattern in the 69th minute. When Kyle Hayes blocked down Patrick Horgan's shot, it seemed the initiative was with Limerick only for Hayes's namesake Brian to aerobically push the ball out to Horgan for the equaliser in the second minute of additional time. There was time for Gillane to fling a free wide, Ciarán Joyce to do the same after Adam English had gifted him the ball and O'Donovan mishit an effort at the posts before Walsh called for the ball and the teams returned to their dressing rooms. As they did last month, Cork won the toss but Shane Barrett on this occasion elected to be backed up by the breeze and their half-time lead of four points, 1-14 to 1-10, told some of that tale. All the same, it didn't tell anything about how Cork operated a shoot-on-sight policy for a large portion of the half and posted nine wides and dropped a couple of shots short. Or the goal chances that went abegging outside Barrett's 27th minute goal. Or the dubious tackling Limerick's full-back line were getting away with towards the end of the half. Cue the half-time row between management members involving the managers as well as selectors Liam Cronin and Wayne Sherlock. Cork were getting little but then Limerick only won their first free in the 17th minute. Cork began well but the unnoticed runs of Tom Morrissey were undoing a lot of their good work and the Ahane man had two points inside the first nine minutes and struck two wides in the first 11. Back-to-back Diarmuid Healy points put Cork on a solid footing although Cian Lynch was masterful in the air when he strayed over to both wings. Seamus Harnedy, who was finding plenty of space himself, struck his second point to put Cork 0-8 to 0-5 ahead in the 18th minute but there was a let-off for Cork when Eoin Downey was adjudged not to have fouled Adam English when the Limerick midfielder made for goal. Limerick forgot about that quickly when O'Connor batted a goal in the 20th minute. Eoin Downey could have done a lot better in preventing him though and Patrick Collins's attempt at a denial wasn't much to write home about either. Brian Hayes had a goal attempt kept out in the 24th minute but he made amends less than three minutes later when he had the wherewithal to absorb a foul while passing out to Barrett who found the net and Cork were back in front, two ahead. Collins kept out Hegarty soon after and Cork scored two of the next three points to lead by three. However, Walsh was giving them little close to the Limerick goal in the way of frees. Hayes had another attempt stopped in the 33rd minute and Horgan's hurley was held as he tried to follow it up. Cork did send over the next three scores to lead by five prior to David Reidy's third of the half ending the period. Penalty goals for Limerick: D. Byrnes, A. Gillane. Penalty goals for Cork: C. Lehane, S. Kingston, A. Connolly. Scorers for Limerick: A. Gillane (0-9, 7 frees); S. O'Brien (1-2); A. O'Connor (1-1); D. Reidy, A. English (0-3 each); T. Morrissey, G. Hegarty (0-2 each); D. Byrnes (free), D. O'Donovan, D. Hannon, P. Casey (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: P. Horgan (0-7, 4 frees); S. Barrett (1-3); D. Fitzgibbon (0-4, 1 free, 1 65); D. Healy, S. Kingston (0-3 each); S. Harnedy, C. Lehane (0-2 each); D. Cahalane, T. O'Mahony, A. Connolly, B. Hayes, E. Downey, T. O'Connell (0-1 each). LIMERICK: N. Quaid; S. Finn, D. Morrissey, M. Casey; D. Byrnes, K. Hayes, B. Nash; A. English, W. O'Donoghue; G. Hegarty, C. Lynch (c), T. Morrissey; A. Gillane, A. O'Connor, D. Reidy. Subs for Limerick: S. O'Brien for A. O'Connor (42); P. Casey for D. Reidy, C. O'Neill for T. Morrissey (both 55); D. O'Donovan for W. O'Donoghue (65); D. Hannon for D. Byrnes, B. Murphy for M. Casey (both e-t); T. Morrissey for G. Hegarty (79); S. Flanagan for C. Lynch (temp 90+1 to 90+3); D. Byrnes for C. Lynch (80+4). CORK: P. Collins; D. Cahalane, E. Downey, S. O'Donoghue; M. Coleman, C. Joyce, C. O'Brien; T. O'Mahony, D. Fitzgibbon; D. Healy, S. Barrett (c), S. Harnedy; P. Horgan, B. Hayes, A. Connolly. Subs for Cork: R. Downey for C. O'Brien (54); T. O'Connell for T. O'Mahony (59); S. Kingston for A. Connolly (65); R. O'Flynn for S. Harnedy (68); C. Lehane for P. Horgan (70+3); N. O'Leary for S. O'Donoghue (72); B. Roche for D. Healy (e-t h-t); A. Connolly for M. Coleman (inj 84). Referee: T. Walsh (Waterford).
BreakingNews.ie
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Live: Munster hurling final goes to penalties after stunning Cork v Limerick clash
The Munster Hurling Final has gone to penalties following a stunning clash between Cork and Limerick. Six-in-a-row champions Limerick fought back from four-points down at half-time to level the game after 70 minutes at Limerick 2-19 Cork 1-22. Shane Barrett scored Cork's goal in the first-half with Limerick raising green flags through Shane O'Brien and Aidan O'Connor. Advertisement
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Aidan O'Connor the sole change for Limerick for their Munster SHC final clash with Cork
Aidan O'Connor has been introduced to the Limerick team for Saturday's Munster SHC final against Cork. From the team that defeated Cork last month, the Monaleen man is the only change for Shane O'Brien, who is among the 11 players on the bench. O'Connor came off the bench for Kilmallock man O'Brien in the dead rubber game against Clare last Sunday week. The team shows eight changes from the side that lost that game in TUS Gaelic Grounds. All eight who step out of the team are in the matchday panel. Read More Limerick v Cork: What time, what channel and all you need to know about the Munster SHC final LIMERICK (SHC v Cork): N. Quaid (Effin); S. Finn (Bruff), D. Morrissey (Ahane), M. Casey (Na Piarsaigh); D. Byrnes (Patrickswell), K. Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), B. Nash (South Liberties); A. English (Doon), W. O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh); G. Hegarty (St Patrick's), C. Lynch (c, Patrickswell), T. Morrissey (Ahane); A. Gillane (Patrickswell), A. O'Connor (Ballybrown), D. Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca). Subs: S. Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), P. Casey (Na Piarsaigh), C. Coughlan (Ballybrown), S. Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), D. Hannon (Adare), B. Murphy (Doon), S. O'Brien (Kilmallock), D. Ó Dalaigh (Monaleen), D. O'Donovan (Doon), P. O'Donovan (Effin), C. O'Neill (Crecora-Manister).
The Journal
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Gillane stars as Limerick defeat Waterford in Munster hurling championship
The 42 The 42 is the home of quality journalism for passionate Irish sports fans, bringing you closer to the stories that matter through insightful analysis and sharp sportswriting. Limerick 0-28 Waterford 0-22 DEFENDING MUNSTER CHAMPIONS Limerick picked up their first win of the 2025 provincial campaign in front of 12,101 spectators on a sunny Bank Holiday Saturday evening at Walsh Park. Aaron Gillane finished as top scorer with nine points in a pillar to post victory, and Shane O'Brien backed up his impressive opening day performance against Tipperary with four from play. The 42 Subscribers can read the full match report here (€) The 42′s award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Advertisement
RTÉ News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Limerick hold Waterford at bay for first win in Munster
Limerick's drive for a record-extending seventh successive Munster Senior Hurling Championship title kicked into gear at Walsh Park, as they saw off a resilient Waterford by six points. Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Shane O'Brien starred on the night, and despite the best efforts of Stephen Bennett and company, Waterford's bid for a win against the Shannonsiders rolls on. Only six times has a side won in successive weekends since the implementation of the round-robin format in Munster, and Waterford were faced with a formidable task in their bid to add their names to that list - not to mention Limerick were unbeaten against the Déise in the championship since June 2011. Limerick's search for the magnificent seven wasn't off to the perfect start leaving Thurles, but the moment they arrived in Walsh Park - they made their presence felt. Diarmuid Byrnes opened the scoring with a superb effort inside his own 65 within the opening minute, before Barry Nash picked out Shane O'Brien to double the early advantage. A great catch and score from Patrick Fitzgerald got Waterford up and running moments later, but they struggled to live with the breathless intensity that Limerick brought to the occasion, Byrnes finding Cian Lynch in acres to restore a two-point lead. Stephen Bennett opened his account from a free, but Limerick were keen to send out an early message, knocking over the next four scores. Gearoid Hegarty found Nash on the overlap, before Lynch turned provider to Adam English - it was poetry in motion in the opening exchanges. English doubled his tally owing to some loose marking from the Déise, before a fine effort from Tom Morrissey moved Limerick five in front on ten minutes. Byrnes then entered the referees' notebook for a foul on Kevin Mahony, allowing Bennett to offer Waterford a temporary reprieve from the Treaty onslaught. Byrnes caught Mark Fitzgerald moments later and questions were asked as to whether Colm Lyons could have brandished a second yellow - Byrnes was substituted by John Kiely moments later to avoid that eventuality. Bennett pointed the requisite free impressively before Jack Prendergast caught the puck out and sent it right back where it came from, moving the Déise back within two points as they began to find their feet. But two quickfire frees from Aaron Gillane kept the Limerick machine motoring, before a beautiful pop pass from Morrissey allowed Lynch to point with ease. Waterford captain Dessie Hutchinson then swept over, before his side were afforded an almighty let off on 22 minutes. Shane O'Brien beat Conor Prunty to a long searching ball and unleashed a rasping drive that left Billy Nolan rooted, but the effort cannoned off the lower left-hand post and back into play. Gillane and Morrissey moved the Munster champions six in front as they smelled blood, but Waterford showed great heart to stay in the game. A monstrous free from Nolan and a beauty from Jamie Barron arrested the slump - as did the introduction of Michael Kiely to subdue Limerick's aerial dominance. O'Brien was on hand to slot over his second score, but some outstanding work from Kiely allowed Kevin Mahony to open his account soon after. The intensity was through the roof as Bennett brought it back to a three-point affair on the cusp of the interval, but Morrissey and Gillane showed all their experience to make it a five-point gap. It could have been more undoubtedly, but Waterford weren't going down without a fight in front of a raucous Walsh Park crowd. A superb score from Mark Fitzgerald was responded to in turn by Gillane at the peak of his powers, but Kiely soon opened his account as Waterford found some rhythm. Stephen Bennett played a free short to brother Shane as the Déise searched for goal, but Mike Casey was on hand to smother any such thoughts. A free and a 65 from Bennett moved Waterford back within two on 43 minutes but that was as close as they would get - Limerick responded with six of the next seven scores. Gillane fired over another free, before Adam English punished poor decision making with his third of the evening. Gillane then won one of Nicky Quaid's mesmerically accurate puckouts to point, before 'The Bull' O'Brien outmuscled Conor Prunty to show exactly why he has earned that moniker. A Nolan free temporarily restored Déise optimism, but another Gillane dead ball and a long searching effort from Colin Coughlan moved Limerick seven to the good midway through the second period. Mark Fitzgerald again brought the fight, but Hegarty won a turnover and went on to score as he riled up the travelling crowd and the sense grew that this was to be Limerick's day again. Bennett and Barron did their utmost to haul Waterford back into affairs but a thunderous effort from man-of-the-match Cian Lynch reminded us all why he is a two-time Hurler of the Year. Waterford never truly threatened the Limerick goal, the closest they came was on the hour mark - Hutchinson picking out Stephen Bennett who pulled low but his effort was blocked by Quaid. The resultant 65 saw a white flag raised, but that was soon cancelled out as Limerick substitute Aidan O'Connor turned on a sixpence to split the posts. Bennett caught a Nolan puck out to reduce arrears to five as Waterford looked to Austin Gleeson to turn the tide. Colossal catches from Kyle Hayes and company made that elusive for the hosts, late scores from substitutes Cathal O'Neill and Gavin Fives running out proceedings - while the game was summarised by another excellent O'Brien score out in front of Prunty. While Waterford's heart couldn't be faulted, they were second best - and Limerick were fully deserving of their victory. The Déise will look to Thurles for win number two - but the message emerging from Walsh Park is clear - Limerick have arrived in this Munster Championship, and everyone else is in danger. Waterford: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Mark Fitzgerald (0-02), Tadhg de Burca, Paddy Leavy; Darragh Lyons, Jack Prendergast (0-01); Stephen Bennett (0-09; 0-05f; 0-02 '65), Jamie Barron (0-02); Kevin Mahony (0-01); Patrick Fitzgerald (0-01), Dessie Hutchinson (0-01), Patrick Curran. Subs: Michael Kiely (0-01) for Patrick Curran (26); Shane Bennett (0-01) for Patrick Fitzgerald (HT); Gavin Fives for Darragh Lyons (45); Padraig Fitzgerald for Kevin Mahony (49); Austin Gleeson for Jamie Barron (64) Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmuid Byrnes (0-01), Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash (0-01); Adam English (0-03), William O'Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty (0-01), Cian Lynch (0-03), Tom Morrissey (0-03); Aaron Gillane (0-09; 0-06f), Shane O'Brien (0-04), David Reidy.
