Rebels into Munster hurling final

Despite conceding goals in either half to Limerick centre half forward Sean O'Connor, reigning champions Cork are through to a Munster final meeting with Waterford or Tipperary on June 27 as they edged the Shannonsiders 1-18 to 2-12 at the Gaelic Grounds.

Newtownshandrum marksman and Cork skipper Ben O'Connor was the Rebels' hero as he hit 1-07, coming into his own after a just a two-point haul in the opening 35 had seen his side 1-05 to 0-07 down at the break.

A 65-metre free from O'Connor squeezed under the Limerick crossbar on 41 minutes to see the visitors into a 1-07 to 1-05 lead, which they never relinquished despite the best efforts of Limerick's Niall Moran (0-07).

Moran bulldozed a free over for the opener after three minutes, with wily Joe Deane pointing Cork's first from a placed ball three minutes later. Moran then instigated Limerick's first goal forty seconds later as his long free dropped loose for O'Connor to bury to the Cork net.

A foul on Mark Foley sparked a period of skirmishes about the field and a string of yellow cards but Cork grabbed the initiative with six unanswered points. Deane grabbed two more frees, O'Connor got his brace and with Niall and Timmy McCarthy opening their accounts the Rebels were 0-07 to 1-01 in front after 22 minutes.

A sterling effort for the next quarter-of-an-hour from the green-and-white half backs, particularly Ollie Moran, saw Cork kept scoreless. Limerick assumed the lead at the break as a point from Donnacha Sheehan and three from Ollie Moran, one of which was a huge effort from 57 yards out from Donal óg Cusack's goal and almost on the sideline, looked to have turned the game.

O'Connor, who had been shepherded well by TJ Ryan and championship debutant Mickey Cahill in the first half, took a goal and three points from frees in the first twelve minutes of the second period to turn the game in the Rebels' favour again. The goal came when Limerick 'keeper Albert Shanahan lost the flight of the Newtown forward's free in the sun and the ball found the net.

Cork's tally was added to by Jerry O'Connor, Deane, Niall McCarthy and substitute Brian Corcoran, who pointed while on his knees on 57 minutes, to put the Munster champions 1-14 to 1-07 in front.

Moran and JP Sheahan had replied for the Shannonsiders and they kept in the hunt with a brace from Pat Tobin and Moran on the hour to reduce the arrears to five.

Points from Niall McCarthy, Mickey O'Connell and O'Connor stretched that back to seven but a nervous few minutes ensued for Cork as Sean O'Connor found the net again off a long through ball on 67 minutes.

Tobin and half forward Michael McKenna then put just two between the sides but a late O'Connor free settled the matter on the stroke of full time.

Filed by Barry J Whyte