IT MAY NOT spring to mind immediately as one of the great rivalries in Munster Hurling Championship history, but Cork and Limerick have produced some thrilling encounters down through the years, particularly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The pair clash again next weekend in the famous Rebels’ stronghold and it had us reminiscing about the best clashes between the pair over the years.
Here are five of our favourites over the past 25 years:
1996 – Limerick 3-18 – 1-8 Cork
For 63 years, Limerick had been trying and failing to beat Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
And when the home side led 1-5 to 0-7 at the break, there was a probably a sense of déjà vu running through the visitors’ dressing room.
But Limerick exploded out of the blocks in the second half to secure their biggest win over their Munster rivals.
2001 – Limerick 1-16 – 1-15 Cork
It’s one of the most iconic 10 seconds of footage in GAA history.
Taking ownership of a loose sliotar sent into the full-back line, Cork’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan laid waste to Limerick’s Jack Foley with a shoulder heard around the world before firing over from his own 65.
The Treaty County would have the last laugh however, winning the Munster quarter-final by the narrowest of margins.
2004 – Cork 1-18 – 2-12 Limerick
Much like O’Sullivan’s shoulder three years earlier, Limerick and Cork provided yet another unforgettable moment in 2004, though the Gaelic Grounds was the venue this time around.
Brian Corcoran was playing his first hurling championship match in two years having stepped away from the small ball game.
Despite being on his knees, the Erin’s Own clubman scored a point over Ollie Moran’s head to help Cork to victory.
2013 – Limerick 0-24 – Cork 0-15
Limerick ended another long wait in 2013 when they secured a first Munster title in 17 years with a nine-point win over the Rebels.
Cork fans will point to the sending off of Pa Horgan just before half-time as being the game’s key turning point but, in truth, Limerick were the better side at the Gaelic Grounds that day.
You can see what it meant to the home fans at the end too.
2014 – Cork 2-24 – 0-24 Limerick
Cork sought revenge in the decider a year later but had more than Munster bragging rights on their mind.
This was to be the last dance at Páirc Uí Chaoimh before redevelopment and the Rebels desperately wanted to sign off in style.
Inseparable at half-time, Seamus Harnedy’s wonderful solo effort and Paudie O’Sullivan’s smart turn and finish raised the only two green flags of the day and proved enough for Cork to win their 51st Munster Cup.
Fancy getting a better sense of the Cork- Limerick hurling rivalry? A stadium tour of the redeveloped Páirc Uí Chaoimh with hurling legends Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Ciarán Carey is just one of the many GAA offers available exclusively to Bord Gáis Energy Rewards customers. Find out more here.
