Holders Cork have maintained their five-in-a-row bid thanks to a thrilling 5-8 to 2-12 victory over lively Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.

Sean Hayes' side will now host Kerry in a mouth-watering semi-final at Pairc Ui Rinn next Wednesday, but they were given a real test tonight by Declan Brouder's determined Treaty County combination.

They say that goals win matches and this was certainly evident tonight, particularly at the end of a first half in which Limerick registered more scores than their opponents but trailed … 3-4 to 0-8. Both sides would add 2-4 after the restart.

After early points were traded by Glin's Kevin Moore (free) and Cathal Vaughan, Darragh Murphy's fourth-minute goal was just the tonic the holders needed. Limerick replied with a Moore brace, one from a free followed by a point from open play, and the visitors suffered an early setback when Kevin Crowley was black-carded.

However, when Sean O'Donoghue pounced for their second major on ten minutes, the gap went out to four points, 2-1 to 0-3. There were no further scores until Evan Quinlan slotted over the Treaty County's fourth point in the 16th minute and Chris Smith followed up instantly with their fifth.

It was a one-point match by the 19th minute after Moore grabbed his fourth score of the night, 2-1 to 0-6, and Quinlan supplied the equaliser seven minutes from the break.

Ryan Harkin restored the Rebels' advantage and Limerick goalkeeper James O'Meara had to be at his best to deny Peter Kelleher a third Cork major before Kevin Davis doubled the difference.

On the stroke of half time, Kelleher did get his goal and that score meant that the Leesiders led by five points at the turnaround.

With Cian Sheehan and Tony McCarthy amongst the scorers, the hosts hit three of the first four points after the restart before Harkin and Jason Mullins (free) swapped overs - 3-6 to 0-12 after 38 minutes.

Incredibly, within seconds, the Treaty County drew level courtesy of a Sheehan goal but back came the Rebels with a Harkin major to lead by three at the three-quarters stage.

Vaughan and Brian O'Driscoll added insurance points for Cork in the 52nd and 54th minutes respectively and, in the 59th minute, Cillian McIntyre slotted the winners' fifth three-pointer after Kelleher's initial effort had rebounded off the crossbar.

Limerick refused to give up and Cillan Fahy registered their second major in injury time as they bowed out with heads held high.

Cork - M Martin; D Quinn, J Davis, S Cronin; T O'Rourke, S White, K Crowley; D Murphy (1-0), A Murphy; A O'Donovan, C Horgan, R Harkin (1-2); C Vaughan (0-3), P Kelleher (1-0), S O'Donoghue (1-0). Subs: C Kiely for K Crowley (BC), K Davis (0-2) for A Murphy, I Maguire for D Murphy, B O'Driscoll (0-1) for C Horgan, M McSweeney for D Quinn (BC), C McIntrye (1-0) for C Vaughan.

Limerick - J O'Meara; S Cusack, S Cahill, S Barrett; C Smith (0-1), C Fahy (1-0), T McCarthy (0-1); W O'Donoghue, G Hegarty; E Quinlan (0-4), C Sheehan (1-1), K Ryan; K Moore (0-4), J English, J Mullins (0-1). Subs: J Naughton for J English, K Stephenson for K Ryan, G Reidy for E Quinlan, D Daly for K Moore.

Referee - S Joy.

Tweet

Most Read Stories