REPORT: English at the double as Limerick cruise past Cork into Munster Minor Hurling decider

Adam English’s quickfire double at the end of the first half would prove crucial as Limerick cruised past Cork, winning 2-19 to 0-13 to move into the Munster Minor final for the third consecutive year.

Defending champions Limerick will await the winners of Tipperary and Waterford in the December 20 final.

In a frantic opening 10 minutes, the sides would exchange the first six scores evenly with Luke O’Connor, Adam English and Patrick O’Donovan all getting on the scoresheet.

Shane O’Brien would give Limerick the lead for the first time which was doubled by substitute Josh Keating on 13.

Ben Cunningham was keeping Cork in touch and his third free of the day reduced the deficit.

Cunningham and Lynch would exchange frees before the first waterbreak as Limerick held a 0-6 to 0-5 lead.

Colin Walsh levelelled after the restart and it could have been a lot worse for Limerick minutes later only for four consecutive saves from goalkeeper Tomas Lynch.

Cork would regain the lead from centre-back Ben O’Connor but Kirby would level for Limerick moments later.

Cunningham and Michael Mullins pushed Cork 0-9 to 0-7 ahead on 25 but the final five minutes of the half would belong to Limerick.

Luke O’Connor halved the deficit before English got the first goal of the game after some excellent work by himself.

From the resulting puckout he would have his second as Liam Lynch intercepted the puck to set English free who calmly finished to the net.

The sides would the notch a free apiece as Limerick took a 2-9 to 0-10 lead into the half.

Cunningham would get his first of the day from play to open the second half before Lynch replied with a brace of frees.

English would add to the lead with an excellent score as Limerick were 2-12 to 0-11 to the good after 37.

Two more frees from Lynch and one from O’Donovan would make it six on the bounce for Mullins’ side to give them a 2-15 to 0-11 cushion at the second water break.

Cork would break their duck quickly after the restart with another Cunningham free.

Limerick’s reply was immediate as Lynch and English added to their personal tallies as Limerick lead by twelve after 52 minutes.

It would be eight minutes before the next score as Cunningham got his 9th of the day.

Patrick O’Donovan would round off the scoring in injury time to bring to an end a perfect afternoon for the defending Munster champions.

Scorers for Limerick: Adam English 2-3; Liam Lynch 0-8 (7f); Luke O’Connor 0-2; Josh Keating, John Kirby and Shane O’Brien 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Ben Cunningham 0-10 (8f); Michael Mullins, Eoin O’Leary, Colin Walsh and Ben O’Connor 0-1 each