Pictures: Rebel army savours ‘historic’ win

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025 - 20:14

Elaine Whelan

In a hair-raising fight to the death, Cork dethroned Limerick in the Munster senior hurling final in a dramatic penalty shoot-out on Saturday evening.

Paudie McSweeney ing Cork and his son Che Lynch, ing his uncle Cian Lynch at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

As a result, for the first time in seven years, Cork are Munster hurling champions, putting an end to the Treaty’s chase for seven-in-a-row.

Cork fans from Mallow GAA at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Cork returned to the lion’s den after losing to the Limerick side by 16 points in the group game three weeks earlier, and secured what Rebel fans are hailing a “historic” win for the team.

Former Cork player Martin Coleman and his children Donal, Jamie May and Martin Óg at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

As 'Freed from Desire' pumped out across the PA system at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, a red sea of thousands of Cork ers flooded the field in triumph at the end of the match.

Limerick er Donal Kelleher from Dromin and his brother in law Cork fan Anthony Pyne from Doneraile at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

“They fought until the end, and they won the battle. True Rebel soldiers. That was something else. What a contest,” Jimmy Barrett from Clonakilty told The Echo as he exited the Limerick stadium.

The O'Leary family from Ballincollig ing Cork at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

He said: “That was history made in front of us today. I will tell you one thing — it was definitely worth driving that dreaded Cork to Limerick road to see that historic win!”

Anne McIntyre and her niece Simone Casey from Blackrock at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Martha Murphy, of Newmarket, said she was looking forward to celebrating the win in the office tomorrow with her co-workers from Limerick tomorrow morning: “Limerick were the favourites; you can see that by how many green shirts filled those stands this evening.

Cork ers Robyn O'Leary and Keelin Murphy, Balyclough at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

"I work with a man from Limerick and he was...winding me up. To beat them on their home turf is just that much sweeter. He will be eating his words now. Croker, here we come, lads!”

Cork fans Roger and Oisin Condon from Kilmurry at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

However, Paudie O’Hare, from Mayfield, is looking for some time off to recover: “God, that was not good for the nerves. I have a fair few grey hairs gained today but it was all worth it in the end,” he said on the way out.

St Finbarrs and Na Piarsaigh fans ing Cork at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

“I don’t care how they won it, as long it was Cork leading on the board when it mattered. There will be no work done for the week, I will need to catch my breath.”

Jamie Noonan-Lynch, St Finbarrs and Jake Browne Na Piarsaigh fans ing Cork at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The sides were level 15 times during the hugely tense match, playing over 94 minutes of action before penalties were called for to secure a definitive result.

Charleville, Dromina and Newtownshandrum fans ing Cork at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

John Gibbons, from Mitchelstown, said: “That was magic. After the hammering Cork got from Limerick a few weeks ago, I was sceptical coming out today, but they put up a magical fight. It was tense until the very end.

Jack Doolin, Michelle and Tony Fitzgerald George and Grey Healy ing Cork at the Munster SHC final between Cork and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

“When Hannon missed that last penalty, my heart leapt out of my chest. You would think I was the one playing the game myself. I was so overjoyed and am already counting down to the semi-final,” Mr Gibbons added.