Limerick comeback falls short in Munster U20 final

CORK are the 2021 Munster U20 Hurling Champions, after a two point victory over Limerick. Having trailed by six with just eight minutes remaining, came back to level but were unable to find the lead score and Pat Ryanโ€™s Cork retained their crown.

For Cork, it is a 21st Munster U20/21 title, equaling Tipperary. For Limerick, focus turns to senior, after defeats in U17 and U20 competitions this week. It is the third year on the trot that Cork have ended Limerickโ€™s hopes at this grade.

Manager Diarmuid Mullins made two changes to the starting fifteen from the comfortable semi-final victory over Clare. In came Cathal Downes and Ronan Fox, with Patrick Kirby and Donnacha Oโ€™Dalaigh making way.

Limerick, playing with a strong breeze at their backs in the opening half, led 0-8 to 1-4 at the first water-break. Cathal Oโ€™Neill top scored with four frees while Aidan Oโ€™Connor, Diarmuid Hegarty and Bryan Nix were all on target.

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Cork shook Limerick with an early goal from Padraig Power, who slipped his man and flicked to the net. But Limerick recovered with Oโ€™Neill frees keeping the scoreboard ticking.

The hosts finished the first half stronger with free-taker Darragh Flynn ending the half with seven placed balls to his name, while Power fired over two quick-fire points.

28 July 2021; Cathal Downes of Limerick in action against Darragh Flynn, left, and Cormac Oโ€™Brien of Cork during the Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship Final match between Cork and Limerick at Pรกirc Uรญ Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Piaras ร“ Mรญdheach/Sportsfile

The half-time scoreline on Leeside read Cork 1-13, Limerick 0-14, after the sides had been level on seven occasions.

Cork remained ahead, but this time by four, by the 47th minute and the second-half water-break. Darragh Flynn managed four points from play in this period, with Cathal Oโ€™Neill raising his first white flag from open play with a terrific sideline effort.

Cork appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory when Ben Cunningham sent them six clear. But Limerck had other ideas. Diarmuid Hegarty, who finished with 1-3, goaled in the 52nd minute when played through by corner-forward Bryan Nix.

28 July 2021; Cathal Oโ€™Neill of Limerick takes a free during the Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship Final match between Cork and Limerick at Pรกirc Uรญ Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Piaras ร“ Mรญdheach/Sportsfile

Cathal Oโ€™Neill quickly added a trio of points to bring the game level into stoppage time, but points from Power, Flynn and a second from Cunningham ensure Rebels retained the title.

Limerick

Scorers:

Limerick: Cathal Oโ€™Neill 0-16 (15 frees), Diarmuid Hegarty 1-3, Adam English, Aidan Oโ€™Connor 0-2 each, Bryan Nix 0-1.

Cork: Cathal Wilson; Eoin Downey, Daire Oโ€™Leary, Cormac Oโ€™Brien ยฉ; Ethan Twomey, Ciaran Joyce, Kevin Moynihan; Sam Quirke, Brian Oโ€™Sullivan; Darragh Flynn, Daniel Hogan, Brian Hayes; Robbie Cotter, Padraig Power, Jack Cahalane.

Subs: Ben Cunningham for Hogan (42), Cillian Oโ€™Donovan for Daire Oโ€™Leary (injured, 50), Luke Horgan for Cotter (53),

Limerick: Conor Oโ€™Neill (Ballybrown); Chris Thomas (Doon), Pรกdraig Harnett (Ahane), Michael Keane (Adare); Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), Cormac Ryan (Doon); Jimmy Quilty ยฉ (Blackrock), Cathal Downes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); Diarmuid Hegarty (St. Patrickโ€™s), Cathal Oโ€™Neill (Crecora-Manister), Adam English (Doon); Bryan Nix (Newcastle West), Aidan Oโ€™Connor (Ballybrown), Ronan Fox (Ahane).

Subs: Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West) ย for Ryan (32), Fergal Oโ€™Connor (Effin) for Keane (41), Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell) for Downes (43), Eddie Stokes (Doon) for Fox (53).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary).

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