Best Limerick Game of the Century: Semi-Final #1

Last week we asked the Limerick public to tell us what their favourite Limerick games of the past 20 years were.

From the list of games we were told we compiled a list of the Top 16 which will battle it out to be crowned the counties favourite game this century.

Our Top 16 Bracket was released last Saturday and can be seen here.

Last week saw the Last-16 ties being played out.

Over the past four days we had our quarter-final clashes.

Now we move into the Semi-Finals

Semi-Final #1

• Limerick 3-32 : 2-31 Cork (2018 All-Ireland Semi-Final)
• Limerick 0-28 : 1-25 Cork (2018 Munster Hurling Championship)

Again, this is a tie from the same year where one paved the way for the other.

At the start of June, John Kiely’s side travelled to the newly revamped Pairc Ui Chaoimh to take on the reigning Munster champions Cork who had reached the All-Ireland semi-final the previous August while Limerick had been knocked out in the qualifiers.

In the Pairc however, Limerick laid down there threat as serious All-Ireland challengers with a brilliant display.

Despite being down to 14-men for over 50 minutes, Limerick lead throughout the second half before a late Darragh Fitzgibbon point put Cork into the ascendancy.

There was still time for a Kyle Hayes leveller in additional time before a spectacular Sean Finn block denied Cork the win.

This draw would pave the way for the one to follow in Croke Park three months later as the sides could not be separated in 70 minutes at Headquarters despite the Rebels holding a six point lead with as many minutes remaining.

Goals from Shane Dowling and Pat Ryan would seal Limerick’s place in the final for the first time since 2007.