GAA
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 1-13 : 2-19 Cork ( Allianz Football League)
February 27th Pairc Ui Chaoimh
The visitors led by 2-13 to 0-5 at the end of a first half that saw two attackers sent off in injury time – Shane Kingston, who had scored Cork’s two goals, dismissed for a high challenge and then Séamus Flanagan following him down the tunnel moments later. A burst of 1-6 without reply had put Cork into a 1-8 to 0-2 lead as Limerick’s play was dotted with sloppy errors. Man of the match Darragh Fitzgibbon continued his recent good form at midfield while U20 star Ciarán Joyce belied his tender years with a mature assuredness. Robbie O’Flynn also impressed and it was he who set up the first goal with a long pass to Patrick Horgan, who set up Kingston.
With Limerick not scoring in the last 11 minutes of the first half, Cork took further advantage as Conor Lehane, Horgan, Fitzgibbon added points to make it 1-12 to 0-5 before Kingston raised his second green flag, netting the rebound after Barry Hennessy had saved from Conor Lehane. Shane Barrett added a point to open up a 14-point lead before the two red cards.
Limerick’s concern was demonstrated by the introduction of Diarmaid Byrnes, Aaron Gillane and William O’Donoghue for the second half but, while they did outscore Cork by 1-8 to 0-6 after the break, a full-blown comeback never appeared likely.
Cork had nine wides in the second period compared to just four in the first half but the introductions of Conor Cahalane and Jack O’Connor ensured that they did enough. Limerick’s goal came from Cathal O’Neill in the 54th minute after linking with the impressive O’Donoghue. That left it 2-18 to 1-10, with Horgan replying for Cork with his eighth point. Limerick finished with three on the trot from Graeme Mulcahy and Byrnes (two) to leave nine in it at the end.
Limerick 3-32 : 1-22 Cork ( All-Ireland Final)
August 22nd Croke Park
A third All-Ireland title in four seasons was collected by John Kiely’s team in sensational fashion, as they blew Cork away to win with 16 points to spare.
The Limerick side scored 3-18 in the first half with a superb performance.
The tone was set at an early stage by Limerick, Hegarty shooting a bullet to the net in the second minute after being played in by Lynch. But Cork mounted an impressive response two minutes later, when an intricate team move released Shane Kingston and he capped a strong run by blasting to the net in front of Hill 16.
When the team came out for the second half all that was left for the Treaty men was to push out the victory and they did it in class.
The scoreboard advantage had swelled to 16 points by the second-half water break, 3-26 to 1-16 in Limerick’s favour. That was also the gap by the final whistle, Horgan knocking over Cork’s last five points from frees, but Limerick replied on every occasion with the outstanding Lynch leading the way.
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.