Cork end Limerick's winning streak

Limerick's hopes of adding the Munster Senior title to their trophy cabinet were dashed by an experienced Cork side who defeated them by 1-13 to 0-8 on Saturday last.

It was a great day for the Leesiders as they defeated Tipperary in the Intermediate Final and Kerry in the Junior semi-final in an entertaining triple-header in Charleville. Their Junior side will meet Ger Curtin's Limerick Juniors in the Final on a date to be confirmed.

Limerick came up against a strong Cork side packed with All-Ireland winners and not a few All-Stars. But Limerick showed they were not out of place at the higher grade having beaten Tipperary's Senior side on their way to the final. If they were guilty of anything it was that they showed Cork too much respect in the opening half playing into the wind.

Cork opened the scoring with a 45' from Orla Cotter who alternated placed ball duties with Jenny O'Leary. With the wind at Cork's backs Limerick struggled to get into the Cork half while the Cork forwards notably Jenny O'Leary Orla Cotter, Katriona Mackey and Breege Corkery were causing all sorts of problems.

Claire Mulcahy and captain Fiona Hickey though were excellent in defence and on 28 mins goalkeeper Síle Moynihan with characteristic bravery made the first of many excellent saves to keep Limerick in touch. By contrast Limerick struggled to find their range at the other end with full-forward Aoife Sheehan superbly marshalled by Cork's captain Anna Geary. Niamh Mulcahy got Limerick's only scores of the half through two frees to leave the score at half-time Cork 0-9 Limerick 0-2.