John Kiely’s side overturned a five point deficit early on to lead at the break but the Rebels fought back
Cork 1-16
Limerick 1-16
Limerick got their Allianz National Hurling League campaign underway with a dramatic draw against Cork in terrible conditions at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night.
After falling 0-7 to 0-2 behind with just 12 minutes on the clock, John Kiely’s side battled back to take a two-point lead at the interval. Will O’Donoghue’s goal went a long way towards that, and on the resumption the Treaty County extended that lead further.
A goal from Shane Barrett got Cork to back within two, but debutant goalkeeper Jason Gillane fired over two crucial frees to keep Limerick in control.
But as the clock wound down tensions rose. Frees were given, cards were dished out.
Amidst that spiral Darragh Fitzgibbon was there to slot over any frees Cork were awarded.
Three minutes of normal time remained, with Limerick leading 1-14 to 1-12. With five minutes of added time remaining Fitzgibbon had that lead down to one.
UL’s Adam English replied with a free, but Fitzgibbon did the same. One point the difference, seconds on the clock.
Brian Roche won a free – albeit controversially. Unfortunately for Limerick Fitzgibbon was never going to miss, and he levelled it at the death for Pat Ryan’s side.
While in many ways it will feel like a loss for Limerick, given they were in control for so long. But the fact Cork were coming into this fixture off the back of a dominant win over Wexford last week while the Treatymen were contesting their first game of the season must factor in.
Young prospects Patrick O’Donovan and Aidan O’Connor impressed with the former scoring an impressive three points from play, while English was impressive in the middle of the field.
New captain Cian Lynch put in a shift as did Kyle Hayes, with the centre-back a commanding presence throughout.
Limerick face Tipperary at home in Round 3 while Cork receive their bye week.
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 Connolly.
Subs: P Horgan for Power (17, inj), M Coleman for Kingston (48), C Lehane for Connolly (59), B Roche for Lehane (62, inj), 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-FT, temp), F O’Connor for Finn (HT), C Scully for Byrnes (45), S Flanagan for Ó Dálaigh, M Houlihan for O’Donovan (both 49), E Stokes for O’Donoghue (58-FT, temp).
Referee: S Stack (Dublin).