IT’S the best part of half a century since Limerick and Cork last met in a National Hurling League Final. Way back in 1980, it took a replay to separate the teams.
In the drawn encounter at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Ollie O’Connor (Ballybrown) rescued Limerick with a spectacular late equalising goal, 2-10 apiece. Limerick’s other goal came from Joe McKenna (South Liberties) in the opening half.
Incidentally, a sprightly O’Connor celebrates his birthday this Thursday (April 2).
It was just the fifth such final to end level, and the outcome, courtesy of O’Connor, netted the GAA a financial bonanza.
- External Walls: Up to €8,000 Grant
- Attic: Up to €1,500 Grant
- Cavity Walls: Up to €1,700 Grant
- Internal Dry Lining: Up to €4,500 Grant
The replay, at the same venue, was eventually claimed by Cork, 4-15 to 4-6.
In a contest in which the goals flowed, the arrived for Cork with Ray Cummins (2), Eamon O’Donoghue, and John Fenton, and for Limerick with Eamonn Cregan (2) and McKenna (2).
Six of those goals arrived in the first period, after which Limerick led 3-4 to 3-3.
In the run-in, the points flowed for eventual winners, Cork.
“Yet, through fully deserving victory, the most rabid Leeside follower must concede that the winning margin does scant justice to gallant Limerick, who wilted only in the final few minutes of a seeing and most satisfying final,” reported Donal Carroll.
“This final was a classic advertisement for all that is great in this ancient code, as two magnificently motivated and rousingly matched sides gave their all in a glorious bid for victory.”
The attendance was around 35,000, up marginally from the drawn encounter.
Limerick: Tommy Quaid (Feohanagh); Donal Murray (Croom), Leonard Enright (Patrickswell), Dom Punch (Patrickswell); Liam O’Donoghue (Mungret St Paul’s), Mossie Carroll (Garryspillane), Seán Foley, captain, (Patrickswell); Jimmy Carroll (Hospital/Herberststown), Paudie Fitzmaurice (Killeedy); Eamonn Grimes (South Liberties), John Flanagan (Feohanagh), Brian Carroll (Garryspillane) (Ollie O’Connor (Ballybrown), Joe McKenna (South Liberties) and Eamonn Cregan (Claughaun).
Substitute used: Ger Mulcahy (Ahane).
Cork: Timmy Murphy; Denis Burns, Brian Murphy, Johnny Crowley; Denis Coughlan, Tom Cashman, Dermot McCurtain, captain; John Fenton, Pat Moylan; Tim Crowley, Pat Horgan, Danny Buckley; Seánie O’Leary, Eamonn O’Donoghue, Ray Cummins.
Referee: Noel O’Donoghue (Dublin).
In a home and away arrangement between the counties, it’s the turn of Limerick – after a long wait – to have home advantage over Cork in a League Final.