Sports
PHOTOS Heartbreak for Limerick as Cork come out on top in thrilling All-Ireland Hurling semi-final
All-Ireland Hurling semi-final – Limerick hurling fans turned out in their thousands. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
All-Ireland Hurling semi-final sees Cork victorious over Limerick with a 1-28 to 0-29 victory
Limerick hurling fans turned out in their thousands to support their county hurling team in the All-Ireland semi-final against Cork.
The ‘Rebels’ put a stop to Limerick’s five in-a-row bid deservedly winning the semi and booking their spot in the final on Sunday, July 21 against Clare.
The sell-out match at Croke Park had fans of both teams in neutrals alike on the edge of their seat with every puck of the game.
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With the intensity set from the throw in, both teams traded early scores, with Limerick’s Aaron Gillane opening scoring in the first minute and quick a response from Cork’s Robert Downey and Declan Dalton showing the Rebel County would make it a difficult day for the Limerick men.
Cork’s relentlessness gave them a significant lead in the 20th minute as a Brian Hayes goal made it four points between the teams, with Cork leading 1-07 to 0-06.
But in true Limerick spirit, the Treaty Men would claw back into the game, coming from behind more than once to level the game, and finally take a lead in at half time, Cork’s 1-11 to Limerick 0-16. Thanks to scores from Tom Morrissey, Diarmaid Byrnes and as always, Aaron Gillanne.
The second half saw Cork come out of the gates with haste, they quickly regained their lead with scores through Patrick Horgan, Fitzgibbon, Conor Lehane, and Alan Connolly. Horgan’s crucial scores bringing his tally to 0-5 for the day and an incredible 700th point in his inter-county career.
Limerick, who have come from behind to win on more than one occasion never seemed out of the game, even when trailing by six points. The contest was kept alive with scores from Gearoid Hegarty and Adam English. As the clock was winding down on Limerick’s season, Gillane had done his all to keep the Shannonsiders in it, but Cork’s Defense held firm.
As much as Cork pulled away, Limerick seemed to hang in there, coming into the 70th minute with just 2 points in the game, Cork would hold out ending Limerick’s run at a 5th consecutive All-Ireland title.
Despite four minutes of added time, Limerick couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed and on the final whistle the scoreboard read Limerick 0-29, Cork 1-28, bringing the curtain down on an incredible season of hurling for Limerick.
Cork will now face Clare in the All-Ireland final, the Liam McCarthy Cup will either go to the Leeside or to the banner county. But this Limerick side can hold their heads high as the pride of the Limerick supporters was still on display by supporters after the game.
Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 0-10 (4fs), David Reidy, Cathal O’Neill, and Diarmaid Byrnes (2fs) 0-3 each, Tom Morrissey, Shane O’Brien, and Adam English 0-2 each, Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch, Gearóid Hegarty, and Séamus Flanagan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Brian Hayes 1-4, Patrick Horgan 0-5 (4fs), Séamus Harnedy and Declan Dalton (2fs) 0-4 each, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, and Alan Connolly 0-3 each, Rob Downey and Mark Coleman 0-1 each.
Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
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