Cork hurling: Key dates for fans now Rebels are into All-Ireland series
Cork's Mark Coleman with fans after the Tipp game. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
IT'S Limerick versus Clare in the Munster final for the third year in a row, but more importantly, Cork are through to the All-Ireland series.
The Rebels were sweating midway through the final group games when Waterford came to within two points of Limerick after Shane Bennett's second goal, as a draw for the Déise would have knocked Cork out on the head-to-head rule. However, Limerick gritted their teeth and dominated the last quarter, finishing 10 points in front at the end, 0-30 to 2-14. Cathal O'Neill and Barry Nash were brilliant throughout while Gearóid Hegarty and Kyle Hayes stepped up when the need was greatest.
Clare defeated Tipperary 1-24 to 0-24 in Thurles which left the Premier bottom of the table and Waterford were eliminated as well, despite beating Cork and drawing with Tipp in the first two games.
Cork now travel to the winners of the Joe McDonagh Cup final, Offaly or Laois, in the preliminary quarter-final on June 15-16, with the quarter-final proper against the Leinster runners-up, Kilkenny or Dublin, at Semple Stadium on June 22.
It gives Pat Ryan and his selectors time to refocus the squad after the thrilling victories over Limerick and Tipp that saved their season in recent weeks, and for Ciarán Joyce, Damien Cahalane and Brian Roche to recover from their injuries.
In the Leinster championship, Nemo referee Colm Lyons showed Galway's David Burke a first-half red card which tilted momentum to Dublin, who were 0-9 to 1-2 down at the time.
They got six of the next eight points and with the wind at their backs in Salthill in the second half powered to a 2-27 to 1-24 success with Chris Crummey and Donal Burke outstanding. It brought the third year of Henry Shefflin's tenure to a disappointing conclusion, while the Dubs, under the guidance of former Tribe boss Mícheál O'Donoughue, now face Kilkenny in the Leinster final.
Wexford, beaten by the minimum in Nowlan Park, 2-22 to 1-24, finished third ahead of Galway due to their superior scoring difference.
After the highs of Thurles last Sunday, Cork had endured a disappointing weekend underage.
The U20s were pipped in extra time in a Munster final by a point after shooting 10 more wides than Tipp and having a goal wrongly disallowed. Ben O'Connor's charges missed out on a rematch of last year's All-Ireland final with an up-and-coming Offaly.
At minor level, John Meyler's side failed to fire at all in Semple Stadium in a 2-16 to 1-10 loss to Wexford, which cost them a place in the All-Ireland quarter-final. A late goal from Joe Twohig was scant consolation for the U17s, for whom Mark O'Brien top-scored.
Thankfully, the senior hurlers march on, hoping to get back to Croke Park for the All-Ireland semi-finals in early July for the first time since 2021.
McDonagh Cup winner at home to Cork; McDonagh Cup runner-up at home to Wexford, on Saturday or Sunday, June 15-16.
Loser of Dublin/Kilkenny v Cork/Offaly/Laois; Loser Clare/Limerick v Wexford/Offaly/Laois, on Saturday, June 22, both in Thurles.
Leinster champions in action on Saturday, July 6; Munster champions in action on Sunday, July 7, both in Croke Park.
Sunday, July 21, Croke Park.
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