Cork 1-20 Limerick 0-16
A dominant final quarter from Cork earned them victory over Limerick in Wednesday night's Bord Gáis Energy Munster U20 Hurling Championship quarter-final at Páirc Uí Rinn.
Having gone in ahead by two points, 0-10 to 0-08, at half-time - but with six wides compared to their visitors' one - Cork edged further ahead on the resumption and Shane O'Regan’s fourth point of the night made it 0-13 to 0-10 on 35 minutes.
However, Limerick were level at 0-13 each thanks to points from Paul O'Riordan, captain Ronan Connolly and Paul O'Brien.
From there, the home side would outscore the Shannonsiders by 1-07 to 0-03, with Brian Turnbull and Shane O'Regan pointing before the latter struck for a goal after Evan Sheehan's shot hit the post.
Further points from Brian Turnbull and sub Liam O’Shea solidified the advantage, with all three of Limerick’s remaining scores coming from O’Brien frees, one of them from near his own 45.
In the end, though, Cork – who were the last Munster Under-18 minor champions two years ago – pushed on and they will face Clare at home in next week’s semi-final.
O'Regan finished with 1-06 while just three of Cork's points came from placed balls. They never trailed, though they took their time to assume command of the game.
Limerick had the best goal chance of the first half, with Dylan O'Shea drawing a good save from Ger Collins on 13 minutes. The score was 0-04 to 0-01 for Cor then but two O'Brien 65s and a Jack Ryan pointed had the Treatymen level.
In a sign of things to come, Cork kicked on once more and Craig Hanifin's free on 28 minutes opened up a 0-10 to 0-06 lead. While Connolly and Rory Duff had points as Limerick cut the gap to two by half-time, it was to be Cork's night.
Cork: Ger Collins; Conor O’Callaghan, James Keating, Eoin Roche; Ryan Walsh, Seán O’Leary Hayes, Robert Downey; Tommy O’Connell, Brian Roche; Simon Kennefick, Craig Hanifin (0-05, 0-03 frees), Daire Connery (0-03, 0-01 sideline); Brian Turnbull (0-04), Shane O’Regan (1-06), Evan Sheehan.
Subs: Ger Millerick for Walsh (33), Seán Twomey for Kennefick (39), Declan Hanlon for Hanifin (49), Liam O’Shea (0-02) for Sheehan (52), Barry Murphy for Brian Roche (60, injured).
Limerick: Jason Gillane; Conor Flahive, Ciarán Barry, Josh Considine; Michael O’Grady, Mikey O’Brien, Rory Duff (0-01); Ronan Connolly (0-03), David Woulfe; Paul O’Riordan (0-01), Eoin Sheehan, Jack Ryan (0-01); Mark McCarthy (0-02), Dylan O’Shea, Paul O’Brien (0-08, 0-06 frees, 0-02 65).
Subs: Emmet McEvoy for Woulfe (36), Seán O’Connor for Sheehan (42), David Moloney for Flahive (51), Calvin Carroll for O’Riordan (60), Conor Nicholas for Ryan (60).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
