Gaelic Games

Munster minor hurling: Limerick and Cork to face off for a place in the final

Clare prove to be too ravenous for Cork to handle in O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge

Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 20 Hurling Quarter Final, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, Co.Laois 24/6/2019 Laois vs Kilkenny General view of hurling Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Eoin Brennan
Tue Apr 18 2023 - 21:55

Limerick and Cork will face-off in TUS Gaelic Grounds next Tuesday (7pm) for a place in the Munster Minor Hurling Final following a dramatic penultimate round.

With the tabletoppers both protecting flawless starts, Clare greater need proved too ravenous for Cork to handle in O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge as a relentless Banner hit as many wides as scores to eventually find their rhythm to fire seven of the last eight points and soar to a fully merited 0-17 to 0-12 victory.

That win, inspired by spinal defenders Ronan Keane and James Hegarty along with Michael Collins and Eoin Oige Fanning, cemented Clare’s passage in the semi-final where they will meet the loser of next week’s derby showdown.

Limerick meanwhile did manage to survive a similar ambush from hosts Tipperary in what was a thrilling 1-23 to 1-22 encounter that realistically could have gone either way in a see-saw finale in FBS Semple Stadium Thurles on Tuesday evening.

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Nothing but a victory would suffice for holders Tipperary to remain in contention for a place in the knock-out stages and it made them dangerous opponents for a previously unbeaten Limerick.

Led by Robbie Ryan who raided for nine first-half points, Tipperary managed to edge 0-12 to 0-10 in front by the break but Limerick soon seized control on the restart with Darren Collopy (3) and substitute Patrick Kearney (2) helping their sides to a 0-17 to 0-13 advantage by the two-thirds mark.

Game over? Not quite as a Sam Rowan goal inspired a grandstand finish that saw the Premier inch two clear entering the final 10 minutes. Crucially Limerick never reached for the panic button however as a Robert O’Farrell goal and a Jack Cosgrove point at the death finally inch a relieved Limerick over the line.

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