Cork set-up a Munster SFC semi-final showdown with rivals Kerry after a comfortable 11-point triumph over 14-man Limerick in a sun-drenched TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.
Prior to throw-in a minute's silence was poignantly held for Kerry legend Mick O’Dwyer whose Funeral took place earlier in the day in his native Waterville.
It was the Leesiders, albeit aided by a strong wind and a numerical advantage after Limerick's Seán Clancy was sidelined in the 24th minute, who held a healthy nine-point lead – 0-16 to 0-7 – at half time.
From here, John Cleary’s charges outscored Limerick by eight to six ease into the Munster semi-final with 11 points to spare.
It was Cork who started the brightest, taking full advantage of the wind to open up a four-point lead inside five minutes thanks to two two-pointers from the impressive Brian O’Driscoll.
Limerick, who made five changes to the starting XV that defeated Wexford in last Saturday’s Division 4 final, were level by the 15th minute however, with Peter Nash, Colm McSweeney, and Paul Maher pointing for the Shannonsiders.
Just seconds later, Cork should have been ahead by three once more, but the lively O’Driscoll could only watch on as his effort on goal drifted wide.
Space began to open up in the Limerick defence hereafter and Cork took full advantage of their opponents stretched defence.
With Limerick struggling to find their man from the kickouts against the strong breeze, John Cleary’s charges scored five of the next six points to ease into a comfortable looking four-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the opening half.
It looked ever-increasing likely that Cork were to book their place in the Munster semi-final when the hosts were reduced to 14 by the 24-minute mark when Clancy received a second yellow card for a high challenge on Mark Cronin.
Clancy had first been booked only four minutes previously after a late challenge on Colm O’Callaghan who had played Paul Walsh through for Cork’s eight point.
A flurry of scores came quickly afterwards and the result looked beyond doubt after Cork scored three two-pointers – two Cronin two-point frees, and a Brian Hurley two-point score from play – in a seven-minute spell before the half time break.
After the restart, Josh Ryan saved well from a Walsh effort on goal.
Both sides exchanged points early on before three Cork points in-a-row from Cathail O’Mahony, O’Driscoll and Matty Taylor gave the Rebels a 10-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
After a James Naughton two-point free narrowed the deficit to eight, Cork scored the last three points to set up a Munster SFC semi-final against rivals Kerry in SuperValu Páiric Uí Chaoimh in two weeks’ time.
Limerick: Josh Ryan: Diarmaid Buckley, Colm McSweeney (0-01), Mark McCarthy; Barry Coleman, Iain Corbett, Paul Maher (0-01); Emmett Rigter (0-02,1tpf) Tommie Childs; Rob Childs, James Naughton (0-07, 0-01f, 2tpf), Seán Clancy; Darragh Ó Siochrú, Peter Nash (0-02, 0-01f), Cillian Fahey (capt.)
Subs: Jason Hassett for Coleman (46 minutes), Tadgh Ó Siochrú for Rob Childs, Darragh O'Hagan for Fahy (both 53), Danny Neville for Darragh Ó Siochrú (57), Jamie Baynham for Nash (63), Darragh Murray for Tommie Childs (69)
Cork: Micheál Aodh Martin; Daniel O’Mahony, Neil Lordan; Brian O’Driscoll (0-06, 2tp), Rory Maguire, Matty Taylor (0-01); Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan (0-02); Paul Walsh (0-02); Eoghan McSweeney, Seán McDonnell (0-01); Mark Cronin (0-06, 2tpf, 0-02f), Brian Hurley (capt.) (0-04, 0-01f, 1tpf), Chris Óg Jones (0-01)
Subs: Seán Powter for Maguire (half time), Ruairí for McSweeney (46 minutes), Cathail O’Mahony (0-01) for Hurley (52), Conor Cahalane for Walsh (63), Maurice Shanley for Lordan (66)
Referee: Derek O’Mahony (Tipperary)
