Cork hurling fans kept the faith and this team delivered a Munster title victory for the ages

What a way to win a Munster final!

In enemy territory but shooting into the raucous ers in red, Cork held their nerve after going two penalties behind to deny Limerick. Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Alan Connolly converted, Patrick Collins saved twice and the Mick Mackey Cup were wrestled out of the Treaty's grasp at last. 

It was nerve-shredding, gripping stuff, it would have been horrific to lose in a shootout but when Cork won... hook it straight to the veins.

The scenes after will live long in the memory, a sea of red, Limerick losing their first final in 15 across the provincial, league and All-Ireland series. Rebels swarmed the pitch, dancing and singing along to After All, Glory Days and Freed From Desire.

MIRACLE

After being embarrassed three weeks ago, this was a miraculous turnaround. 

Cork are often accused of being too cocky but their self-belief laid the foundation for a first provincial triumph since 2018.

Having been the better team across normal time but after slicing 15 wides to Limerick's eight, Cork simply survived in extra time. The Treaty had seven misses to Cork's one in that period and it took Darragh Fitzgibbon with the last puck to send it to penalties. Cork were haunted really, as Quaid spilled possession for that 65, but they were probably due a few breaks.

Referee Thomas Walsh had infuriated Cork, particularly in the 10 minutes before half-time, and in the build-up to Shane O'Brien's goal, when a series of blatant fouls were overlooked. 

Limerick had plenty of reasons to feel aggrieved too but the change of ref when James Owens replaced the injured Walsh certainly helped Cork as it broke the momentum when the hosts had gone two ahead, their largest lead, reflecting what an epic battle it was.

Cork had no shortage of heroes but special credit must go to Damien Cahalane, Seamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan and Conor Lehane, who all featured in the last Munster final victory over Limerick 11 years ago. 

Darragh Fitzgibbon, Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett, Ciarán Joyce and sub Shane Kingston utterly brilliant too. 

Lehane, Cahalane and Kingston seemed to have fallen out of favour. It goes to show, you have to keep the faith. 

Roll on Croker in July.