GAA
Limerick and Cork do battle once more this weekend for the first time since their All-Ireland final meeting in August.
Limerick have been the more successful team as of late with All-Ireland championships coming in 2018, 2020 and of course that August final where they put the Rebels to the sword.
Cork are seeking a first piece of silverware since 2005 as they look to make it three from three in the League while Limerick will be aiming for a first league win of the season.
However, the sight of the Rebels jersey has proved a catalyst in recent times with Limerick winning each of their three clashes in 2021.
Limerick 0-33 : 2-19 Cork (National Hurling League)
5 June 2021 in the LIT Gaelic Grounds
Limerick picked up their first win of the National League with a dominant performance against Cork at the LIT Gaelic Grounds
Kiely’s men were in awesome form from the word go, amassing an incredible total on the Ennis Rd.
After eight minutes at the Ennis Road, Limerick led by 0-6 to 0-1, with Cian Lynch laying the groundwork for a superb display with a pair of points while Aaron Gillane had the first of his ten points. Amazingly, though, Cork were level by the 12th minute at 0-6 to 1-3 with Jack O’Connor goaling for the Rebels.
But Limerick seemed unperturbed and by the half they were 0-20 to 1-7 in front.
It was 0-26 to 1-11 by the 52nd minute when Cork’s Shane Kingston had a goal effort which beat Barry Hennessy only for Richie English to clear off the line.
While Cork did get a second goal through O’Connor soon after that and three Horgan frees brough them to within seven points, Limerick were never unduly troubled.
Cork 2-21 : 0-29 Limerick (National Hurling League)
23 February 2020 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Limerick secured their spot in the knockout stages the National Hurling League as they finished strongly to see off Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Leading by 0-17 to 0-11 at half-time, the Shannonsiders were met by a strong Cork comeback in the second half. Patrick Horgan’s 66th-minute point, his 17th of the game made it 2-21 to 0-26 for the Rebels.
That was the first time they levelled in the entirity of the game as Cian Lynch and Aaron Gillane had Limerick off the mark early.
But Cork wouldn’t score again and points from Kyle Hayes, Diarmaid Byrnes and a 13th from Aaron Gillane gave them the victory, their third in three outings this year.
Limerick would go on to win each of their competitive games that year, annexing the League, Munster and All-Ireland titles.
Limerick 1-21 : 2-21 Cork (National Hurling League)
24 February 2019 in the LIT Gaelic Grounds
Cork inflicted a first League defeat on the newly crowned All-Ireland champions in the LIT Gaelic Grounds.
John Meyler’s side were too powerful and avenged the 3-32 to 2-31 extra-time defeat at Croke Park in he All-Ireland semi-final the previous July.
Cork were quicker to every ball in the first half here and with a slight breeze at their backs they took a 1-13 to 1-7 lead into half-time.
Peter Casey’s goal after 26 minutes kept Limerick in touch of the bright Cork side.
Limerick scored six points in on the spin with Byrnes levelling it in the 66th minute. However, Cork finished well, however a couple of Cormac Murphy scores sealed the win.
Limerick 1-20 : 1-18 Cork (National Hurling League Quarter–Final)
2 April 2017 in Pairc Ui Rinn
Limerick put a disappointing Division 1B campaign behind them to overcome Cork and secure a league semi-final berth.
The teams were level five times a piece in the second period as a brace from Shane Dowling and three scores from play by the man of the match Gearoid Hegarty. Points from Patrick Horgan 0-5, Seamus Harnedy 0-2 and Bill Cooper helped quell momentum however.
That left it tied at 1-17 apiece with three minutes remaining and it was the visitors who would push on, Kyle Hayes, Hegarty and sub John Fitzgibbon firing the winning scores.
The sides went in level at the break, but it is arguable that both would have been disappointed not to have been in front.
Limerick came out as the much brighter side. A David Dempsey goal on 11 minutes, followed as it had the visitors 1-4 to 0-2 clear. One point from Cian Lynch punished poor defensive play on the quarter hour. What followed was multiple unanswered Cork points to bring proceedings level at 1-5 to 0-8.
What followed in the second half was a a close tense affair but the green of Limerick prevailed.
Cork 0-17 : 0-17 Limerick (National Hurling League)
15 February 2014 in Pairc Ui Rinn
Eleven points from Shane Dowling meant that 14-man Limerick earned a share of the spoils against Cork. The Red Jerseys had been excellent for much of the first half, especially in the opening stages.
Horgan opened up a three-point lead for the hosts during the second half, but Limerick’s resolve was such that they continued to push on
In addition, Cork suffered through the loss of three forwards through injury. Limerick were of course, greatly helped by Dowling’s excellence from free shots. He nailed two from distance before wing-back O’Brien got his second to make it 0-13 all at 64 minutes.
O’Sullivan’s outstanding point from a tight angle on the left had the Cork fans in high spirits as once more they felt they had the game for the taking. there was room for one more twist however, Dowling capped a fine individual display by having the final say.