Football convert Michael Cussen scored 1-5 as Cork made it two wins from two in the National Hurling League with this 10-point win over Justin McCarthy's understrength Limerick side at the Gaelic Grounds last night.

Cork 2-21
Limerick 1-14

Making his first league start for the hurlers, Cussen's third minute goal sent the visitors on their way and they never looked like losing, despite another spirited showing from the inexperienced Shannonsiders.

Cork made seven changes from the side that beat Offaly last weekend, but they were immediately into their stride when 6'7" Cussen netted with only his second touch. Nicky Quaid got Limerick off the mark, but they were undermined by eight first half wides as Cork eased into a 1-5 to 0-3 lead after 20 minutes. And with Tom Kenny and John Gardiner ruling their roost at midfield, they had stretched out their lead to 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.

Limerick resumed with a point from corner forward Alan O'Conno,r but Cork grabbed the next five scores to go 10 clear. The home were give a glimmer of hope when substitute Thomas O'Brien's goal brought the margin down to six, but the Rebels hit back with a similar score from Cian McCarthy before Patrick Horgan brought his tally to 0-6 for the night.

This latest defeat is sure to spark renewed calls for a new Limerick management which would pave the way for a return to the squad of a number of those dropped by McCarthy and others who walked away in protest.

The next meeting of Limerick County Board is planned for Tuesday week.

Scorers - Limerick: A O'Connor, 0-04 (0-04f), T O'Brien 1-02, N Quaid, P Browne, B O'Sullivan 0-02 each, P McNamara, G Mulcahy 0-01 each. Cork: M Cussen 1-05, P Horgan 0-06, (0-04f), C McCarthy 1-01, J Gardiner 0-04 (0-02 '65s, 0-01f), K Murphy 0-02, M O'Sullivan, G Calnan, N McCarthy 0-01 each.

Limerick: T Flynn; D Lynch, D Kenny, S O'Neill; L O'Dwyer, A Brennan, M Carr; N Quaid, P Browne; B O'Sullivan (capt), A Owens, C Mullane; G Mulcahy, P McNamara, A O'Connor.
Subs: M Deegan for Carr (28 mins), T O'Brien (Patrickswell) for Owens (42), P Harty for Brennan (48), C Hynes for Kenny (50), D Moore for O'Connor (60).

Cork: M Coleman; S O'Neill, E Cadogan, C O'Sullivan; B Murphy, R Curran, R Ryan; J Gardiner, T Kenny; F O'Leary, M O'Sullivan, G Calnan; K Murphy (capt), M Cussen, P Horgan.
Subs: C McCarthy for O'Leary (50 mins), A O hAilpin for O'Sullivan (56), N McCarthy for Calnan (62), M Walsh for Gardiner (65), A Ryan for O'Neill (66).

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath). Tweet

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