Limerick footballers bow out of Munster SFC following 11-point loss to Cork

Jimmy Lee’s senior footballers exited the Munster SFC at the quarter-final stage this afternoon following a 3-13 to 0-11 defeat at SuperValue Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Mistakes killed Limerick’s chances with their opponents landing three goals in the second half to set up a semi-final fixture with Kerry.

Limerick had led 0-7 to 0-6 having been aided by a gale force breeze in the opening half but Cork soon turned things in their favour thanks to a Chris Óg Jones goal early in the second half.

Further three pointers followed in the final stages from Ruairi Deane and Ian Maguire that sealed victory for John Cleary’s men.

Limerick held a one-point advantage after 11 minutes (0-3 to 0-2) with James Naughton landing a point and a superb long range effort from Emmet Rigter.

Bob Childs then made it a two-point advantage but Cork were soon back in front after scores from Brian Hurley (2) and Daniel O’Mahony.

However, Limerick finished the half strongly with Bryan Nix, Naughton and Peter Nash hitting the target to ensure a one-point advantage.

Cork made a fast start to the second half with Jones, Brian O’Driscoll and Hurley points seeing them two points to the good. Jones then hit the target with a powerful finish after Limerick were turned over in midfield.

The Leesiders then stretched their lead to seven points but Limerick closed that gap to four with Rigter, Shane Costello and Tommie Childs raising white flags.

Any hope of a late comeback ended though with Deane and Maguire firing to the net late on to seal a victory for Cork.

SCORERS – LIMERICK: James Naughton 0-4 (2 ’45s, 1f), Emmet Rigter 0-2, Bryan Nix, Bob Childs, Peter Nash (1f), Tommie Childs and Shane Costello 0-1 each.

SCORERS – CORK: Chris Óg Jones 1-2, Brian Hurley 0-4 (3f), Ruairi Deane and Ian Maguire 1-0, Luke Fahy 0-2, Marry Taylor, Daniel O’Mahony, Brian O’Driscoll, Stephen Sherlock (1f) and Conor Corbett 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Josh Ryan (Oola); Darren O’Doherty (Newcastle West), Sean O’Dea (Kilteely-Dromkeen), Brian O’Sullivan (Newcastle West); Cormac Woulfe (St Senan’s), Cillian Fahy (Drom-Broadford), Paul Maher (Adare); Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West); Bryan Nix (Newcastle West), Cathal Downes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), James Naughton (St Senan’s); Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Bob Childs (Galtee Gaels), Danny Neville (Ballysteen).

SUBS: Shane Costello (Adare) for Downes (55), Barry Coleman (Rathkeale) for Woulfe (55), J Baynham (Monagea) for Nash (59), Tommy Griffin (Gerald Griffins) for Nix (68), Ruadhan O’Connor (Newcastle West) for O’Sullivan (68).

CORK: Christopher Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Luke Fahy, Sean Meehan, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Sean Powter, Brian O’Driscoll; Chris Og Jones, Conor Corbett, Brian Hurley.

SUBS: Ruairi Deane for Walsh (47), Maurice Shanley for Meehan (48), Stephen Sherlock for Hurley (52), Mark Cronin for Powter (59), Thomas Clancy for Fahy (63, blood), John O’Rourke for O’Driscoll (66).

REFEREE: Fergal Kelly (Longford).