Allianz HL D1A: Dynamic Limerick prevail

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Limerick 3-19 Cork 0-20

By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds

Limerick made it four consecutive victories in Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League as Cork suffered a first defeat of the campaign.

Second half goals from Cathal O’Neill and Aidan O’Connor helped the Treaty pull clear of Ben O’Connor’s outfit, after a closely fought opening period at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

A positive result in round six would book a rematch of these sides in the divisional final in early April.

After an early point from Tommy O’Connell, Limerick hit the front courtesy of a goal from Shane O’Brien. Collecting a delivery from Kyle Hayes, the Kilmallock man bulldozed his way through the cover before powering low to the net after 80 seconds.

O’Connell struck back and indeed, so too Cork, who registered the first six white flags. Brian Hayes and Shane Barrett were also on target before a double from Barry Walsh, the rising Killeagh star.

Eventually Aidan O’Connor would convert a free, one of six the Ballybrown man would arrow over in a high-octane opening half.

Limerick slow ground their way into the lead, with Cathal O’Neill, O’Connor and then Adam English all pointing – though there was little between the teams for much of this contest.

The sides would be level three times in the opening half before O’Connor’s stoppage time free nudged John Kiely’s men ahead. Alan Walsh had briefly restored parity, with the Kanturk attacker the sixth Rebel forward to register a point.

The early going in the second half was tight, with O’Mahony and Hayes (two) both on target for Cork, while at the other end, Adam English and O’Connor with a first from play keep the green jerseys ahead.

The crucial goal, from O’Neill arrived on 59 minutes. Set free by captain Cian Lynch, he took the ball wide before unleashing across Patrick Collins for two goals in as many weeks.

There was a penalty soon conceded by Seán O’Donoghue for a foul on Aaron Gillane. This allowed O’Connor add a goal to his tally – he would eventually bring his total to 1-11.

There was late scores for Hugh Flanagan and Tom Morrissey, both in from the bench, while Cork hit the final three scores to bring their tally to 20 .

These sides will clash again on April 26 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the second round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, and a first championship tie for Limerick.

Scorers for Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 1-11 (1-0 pen, 7fs); Cathal O’Neill 1-2; Shane O’Brien 1-0; Adam English 0-2; Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch, Hugh Flanagan, Tom Morrissey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Tim O’Mahony 0-7 (5fs, 1 65); Brian Hayes, Tommy O’Connell 0-3 each; Barry Walsh, Shane Barrett 0-2; Shane Kingston, Alan Walsh, Eoin Downey 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, David Reidy.

Subs: Colin Coughlan for Hayes (temp 11 – 12); Tom Morrissey for Hegarty (51); Hugh Flanagan for Reidy (57); Darragh Langan for Finn (60); Donnacha Ó Dálaigh for O’Brien (65); Oisin O’Farrell for Gillane (66).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Eoin Roche, Dáire O’Leary, Ger Millerick; Ethan Twomey, Eoin Downey, Micheál Mullins; Ciarán Joyce, Tommy O’Connell; Barry Walsh, Tim O’Mahony (C), Shane O’Kingston; Alan Walsh, Brian Hayes, Shane Barrett.

Subs: Seamus Harnedy for Kingston (40); Niall O’Leary for Roche (47); Cormac O’Brien for Mullins (54); Sean O’Donoghue for D. O’Leary (60); Declan Dalton for A. Walsh (65).

Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).