Cork claim McGrath Cup title at Limerick’s expense

It was a first defeat in charge of the footballers for Ray Dempsey as his side were second best in Mallow.

Cork proved too strong for Limerick in the McGrath Cup final with a 0-19 to 2-7 win in Mallow this evening. 

The hosts led throughout the contests where they were more clinical than a wasteful Limerick side.

Up next for Limerick is the National League opener with Derry next Saturday.

The Rebels were quickest off the block as they looked like running away with the game.

As the wide count steadily rose, Coke clipped over four successive scores. Steven Sherlock kicked a pair of frees and was joined in the scoresheet by Chris Og Jones, Brian Hurley and Brian O’Driscoll.

Cian Sheehan got Limerick off the mark just past the quarter hour mark with a well taken free off his left foot.

Limerick weee then awarded a free when Jack Ryan was pulled down in the penalty area. Iain Corbett stepped up and slotted into the net before a lovely outside of the boot effort has the teams within one point.

Cork had the next two scores before Cillian Fahy replied with the last point of the half to leave it 0-7 to 1-3 at the interval.

As they did in the first half, Cork began the second in fine fettle and kicked five of the first six scores by the 45th minute. 

Sherlock and Hurley were amongst the scorers with a free from Sheehan, Limerick’s only retort.

Sherlock had Cork six clear at 0-13 to 1-4 with 25 to play before Hurley added to the margin. Sheehan replied with a free that had it back to six points with 50 on the clock.

But the margin was halved five minutes later as Davy Lyons found the net after a goal line scramble with the Adare man’s initial effort well stopped.

Limerick were then wide with a couple of frees with Cork taking advantage to move 0-16 to 2-5 ahead.

Robbie Bourke ended a 15 minute wait for a Limerick score on the stroke of injury time. But Hurley had the desired response for Cork as they secured a first title since 2018.

Scorers for Limerick: Iain Corbett (1-1), Cian Sheehan (0-4f), Davy Lyons (1-0), Robbie Bourke and Cillian Fahy (0-1).

Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan, David Connolly, Brian Fanning, Barry Coleman, Jack Ryan, Iain Corbett, Gordon Brown, Cillian Fahy, Michael Donovan, Cathal Downes, Cian Sheehan, Paul Maher, Adrian Enright, Davy Lyons, James Naughton.

Subs Used: Robbie Bourke, Peter Nash, Killian Ryan, Colm McSweeney