REBELLION IN THE AIR

Treaty dethroned on home soil as Collins and Cork stand tall in historic shootout

- BY PAT NOLAN

CORK have ended Limerick's long reign in Munster after a dramatic penalty shootout victory.

With the teams deadlocked after extra time, penalties were needed to separate the sides - a first in top tier hurling Championship history.

And Cork held their nerve to claim a first provincial title since 2018 and move into an All-Ireland semi-final, with Limerick's seven-in-a-row ambitions dashed.

In the shootout Cork blinked first when Darragh Fitzgibbon, who sent the game to penalties, saw his effort saved by Nickie Quaid as Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane converted for Limerick.

But Barry Murphy (wide), Tom Morrissey (saved) and finally Declan Hannon (wide) all missed for the home side, with Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Alan Connolly on target to secure Cork's 55th Munster title.

Having won the toss, Cork played with the elements in the first half as they looked to get a foothold rather than be cut adrift by half-time as happened on their previous visit three weeks earlier.