Cork v Limerick: Fitzgibbon's late leveller gives Rebels a share of the spoils

Cork 1-16

Limerick 1-16

Cork could not make it three wins in a row over Limerick - but it felt like a victory of sorts as the Rebels came from four points down with 12 minutes of normal time left to earn a draw at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night.

In cold analysis, it might feel like a loss, given how well Pat Ryan's side had started, leading by 0-7 to 0-2. However, their battling qualities were to the fore late on, capped by Darragh Fitzgibbon's 79th-minute equaliser.

Leading by 0-7 to 0-2 after 12 minutes, Cork had their grip on the game considerably loosened by Will O’Donoghue’s goal for Limerick, who led by 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time. Cork saw that deficit extend to six in the opening five minutes of the second half before a goal brought them back into the game. 

Tim O’Mahony – initially named at midfield but switched to the half-back line when captain Robert Downey was ruled out on Friday – set the move in motion as he did well to win a loose ball before Ethan Twomey, Shane Barrett and Luke Meade worked the ball to Brian Hayes. He in turn was able to return it to Barrett – captain in Downey’s absence – when the attacker continued his run before he sent a low shot past Jason Gillane.

That left it 1-11 to 1-9 for the visitors. Despite the boost of the goal, though, Cork struggled to rediscover that first-period verve and two long-range frees from goalkeeper Gillane – brother of Aaron – helped the Treatymen to stay on top.

Points from Darragh Fitzgibbon – given free-taking duties, even after Patrick Horgan’s first-half introduction for the injured Pádraig Power – and Brian Hayes had Cork within two, 1-14 to 1-12, with three minutes left and again after Hayes answered an Adam English free for Limerick. Two minutes into the seven added, Fitzgibbon's free left the minimum in it as the game became more ragged and cards became as frequent as scores.

English gave Limerick breathing space again and Fitzgibbon replied but, with time up it looked as if the Munster champions would hold out only for a foul on Brian Roche to give Fitzgibbon and Cork and chance to earn a share of the spoils.

In the first half, Cork started like a train. Fronting up in the physical stakes and pressing hard from the full-forward line back, they established an early lead.

Luke Meade, who had been brought into the side when Downey was forced to cry off, had a point in the opening minute, while Darragh Fitzgibbon landed a couple of frees as well as setting up his midfield partner Ethan Twomey for a good score.

By the 10th minute, Fitzgibbon’s fourth – set up following an impressive Alan Connolly turnover – made it 0-6 to 0-2 and then Twomey was the provider for Shane Kingston to open up a five-point lead. Aside from those in attack, Cormac O’Brien in the half-back line was also impressing.

However, they were to score just once more in the opening half as the Limerick goal in the 19th minute served to reignite their hopes and puncture some of Cork’s momentum. When a long clearance left Shane Barrett outnumbered three to one under the dropping ball, Kyle Hayes was able to pick out the unmarked Will O’Donoghue and he finished well past Patrick Collins.

Points followed from Adam English, Patrick O’Donovan and new captain Cian Lynch to put them in front for the first time. Though Tim O’Mahony ended Cork’s scoring drought with a long-range free, Limerick retained the momentum and only good work from Ger Millerick prevented Aidan O’Connor from making more of a half-chance.

Two O’Donovan points had Limerick in front as half-time neared, though they did need a block in injury time from David Reidy – on early for the injured Gearóid Hegarty – to deny Shane Kingston sight of goal in injury time.

A two-point deficit soon became six in the opening stages of the second half as Limerick resumed strongly, but the goal served to get Cork back into the game. In the end, they dug out a draw.

Scorers for Cork: D Fitzgibbon 0-10 (0-9 f), S Barrett 1-0, B Hayes 0-2, S Kingston, L Meade, E Twomey, T O'Mahony (f) 0-1 each.

Limerick: P O'Donovan (0-1 f), A English (0-3 f) 0-4 each, W O'Donoghue 1-0, J Gillane (f), A O'Connor, C Lynch 0-2 each, D Byrnes, S O'Brien 0-1 each.

CORK: P Collins; E Roche, G Millerick, N O’Leary; C O’Brien, C Joyce, T O’Mahony; D Fitzgibbon, E Twomey; S Kingston, S Barrett, L Meade; B Hayes, P Power, A Connoll/y.

Subs: P Horgan for Power (17, injured), M Coleman for Kingston (48), C Lehane for Connolly (59), B Roche for Lehane (62, injured), R Cotter for Barrett (68).

LIMERICK: J Gillane; S Finn, D Morrissey, B Murphy; D Byrnes, K Hayes, C Coughlan; A English, W O’Donoghue; A O’Connor, C Lynch, G Hegarty; D Ó Dálaigh, S O’Brien, P O’Donovan.

Subs: D Reidy for Hegarty (16-full-time, temporary), F O’Connor for Finn (half-time), C Scully for Byrnes (45), S Flanagan for Ó Dálaigh, M Houlihan for O’Donovan (both 49), E Stokes for O’Donoghue (58, temporary).

Referee: S Stack (Dublin).