Cork 1-13 Limerick 0-4

IT WAS a comfortable victory over Limerick in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening for the Cork seniors as they advance to a Munster final meeting with Tipperary.

Leading by six points at the break, Cork controlled matters all through.

Limerick’s tactic of opting to play a defensive game ensured Cork were on top in their own defence and had time to find gaps in the crowded Limerick rearguard.

Limerick’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost Caoimhe Lyons following a straight red card after a high tackle on Cork keeper Aoife Murray 15 minutes into the second half and when Amy O’Connor finished Linda Collins’ offload to the net for the game’s only goal with nine minutes remaining the result was done and dusted.

Orla Cotter again showed her class as a free-taker, converting six from placed balls, while Katriona Mackey and Orla Cronin had an excellent hour as Cork took the game to their opponent. In defence, Gemma O’Connor, Chloe Sigerson, and Laura Treacy were in control.

With Cork leading 0-6 to 0-1, it took an excellent save form Aoife Murray to deny Niamh Mulcahy, and with Katriona Mackey firing over a point as Cork swept upfield, they were ahead 0-7 to 0-1 at the interval.

Cork worked hard through the second half and never looked in any danger, with Amy O’Connor and Orla Cotter twice finding the range.

Limerick’s response was two from Niamh Mulcahy before Linda Collins superbly grabbed a long-range Chloe Sigerson free and passed cleverly to O’Connor who dispatched it to the net.

As the clock wound down Orla Cronin and Collins had points in between as Mulcahy pointed free to leave Cork comfortable winners.

Scorer for Cork: O Cotter 0-6 f, A O’Connor 1-2, K Mackey, L Collins 0-2 each, O Cronin 0-1.

Limerick: N Mulcahy 0-4 f.

CORK: A Murray; N O’Callaghan, L Treacy, P Mackey; L Coppinger, G O’Connor (c), C Sigerson; L Homan, C McCarthy; A O’Connor, O Cronin, O Cotter; K Mackey, L Collins, H Looney.

Subs: L Hayes for H Looney (40), N McCarthy for C McCarthy (41), J White for O Cronin (57), L O’Sullivan for L Treacy (59), S McCarthy for L Collins (59).

LIMERICK: L O’Neill; J Mulcahy, M Creamer, M Quaid; R Delee, S Carey, M Ryan; R Ambrose, K O’Leary; D Murphy, C Lyons, N Mulcahy; K Hennessy, C Costello, S O’Callaghan.

Subs: D Egan for S Carey (h-t inj), L Leonard for S O’Callaghan (46), L Stack for K Hennessy (56).

Referee: John Lillis (Tipperary).

Meanwhile, in Kilmallock, the Cork junior side recorded an eight-point victory over Limerick to advance to a final meeting with Kerry on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-6.