Limerick v Cork Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview – All-Ireland Semi-Final

We have a Limerick v Cork prediction along with the betting odds for you ahead of their All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final.

How To Watch Limerick v Cork

When is Limerick v Cork

4.00 pm, Sunday, July 7th

TV Channel

RTÉ 1 and BBC Two

Live Stream

It is also being streamed live on the RTÉ Player or BBC iPlayer.

Who is the Referee?

Thomas Walsh

Where is Limerick v Cork

Croke Park, Dublin

Limerick v Cork Odds

Limerick are heavy favourites for Sunday's Semi-Final at odds of 1/3, if you fancy a Cork upset that’s currently priced at 10/3 or the draw is seen as a 9/1 shot.

Handicap Betting

Limerick:-5 @ 10/11

Cork: +5 @ 10/11

Handicap Draw: -5 @ 12/1

Team News

Limerick Team News

Cork Team News

The Cork Senior Hurling team to play Limerick has been announced;

1. Patrick Collins, Ballinhassig

2. Niall O’Leary, Castlelyons

3. Eoin Downey, Glen Rovers

4. Sean O Donoghue, Inniscarra (c)

5. Tim O Mahony, Newtownshandrum

6. Robert Downey, Glen Rovers

7. Mark Coleman, Blarney

8. Ciaran Joyce, Castlemartyr

9. Darragh Fitzgibbon, Charleville

10. Declan Dalton, Fr O’Neill’s

11. Shane Barrett, Blarney

12. Seamus Harnedy, St Ita’s

13. Patrick Horgan, Glen Rovers

14. Alan Connolly, Blackrock

15. Brian Hayes, St Finbarr’s

16. Brion Saunderson, Midleton

17. Damian Cahalane, St Finbarrs

18. Ger Millerick, Fr O’Neill’s

19. Tommy O Connell, Midleton

20. Luke Meade, Newcestown

21. Ethan Twomey, St Finbarrs

22. Conor Lehane, Midleton

23. Jack O’Connor, Sarsfields

24. Shane Kingston, Douglas

25. Padraig Power, Blarney

26. Robbie O’Flynn, Erin’s Own

Limerick v Cork Preview

Limerick’s Form

Limerick came into the 2024 GAA season following a 2023 season which saw them start their season in the league initially finishing in second spot behind Cork in Division 1 Group A with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss in a group with Cork, Galway, Clare, Wexford and Westmeath. In the Semi-Final they defeated Tipperary 0-25 to 1-28 and would win the league final against Kilkenny 2-20 to 0-15.

In the Championship last season they came second during the Group Stage in Munster with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss to finish on 5 points. 1 behind Clare but also qualifying for the Munster Final. In that final, they avenged their Round 2 defeat 2-20 to 1-24 against Clare and ran out 1-22 to 1-23 winners. Limerick had a strong 2024 League Campaign going unbeaten to top Division 1 Group B ahead of Tipperary, Galway, Dublin, Westmeath and Antrim with 4 wins and 1 draw. However, they were then defeated in the League Semi-Finals by Kilkenny in a 1-15 to 3-17 scoreline at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Limerick topped the Munster Championship with a record of 3 wins and 1 loss and while that was identical to Clare who finished second, they topped the table with a points difference of +23 over their Munster rivals. They would then beat them in the Munster Final at Semple Stadium by a 1-26 to 1-20 scoreline.

Cork’s Form

2023 started impressively for Cork when they topped Division 1 Group A with a record of 4 wins and 1 draw to finish 1 point ahead of runner-up in the league phase Limerick. Cork would come unstuck in the League Semi-Final losing to Kilkenny by a 0-22 to 2-22 scoreline. However, despite the initial promise their season ended on a whimper following a 4th finish in Munster following a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses.

Cork commenced the 2024 season in solid fashion but not quite the heights of the previous season when their record of 3 wins and 2 defeats meant they finished below Clare and Kilkenny in the league. In their Munster Campaign, a slow start (2 defeats) was followed by 2 wins against Limerick and Tipperary which meant they secured their passage to the Preliminary Quarter-Final albeit by the skin of their teeth. In the Preliminary Quarter-Final, they showed their class making light work of Offaly in a 2-19 to 4-25 victory.

Cork booked their Semi-Finals spot with a 0-21 to 0-26 win over Dublin at Semple Stadium which will be their appearance in one since their 1-32 to 1-37 victory against Kilkenny in August 2021 which came after extra time. Cork would go on to lose the final 3-32 to 1-22 against Limerick. They may be huge outsiders for this game, but that is when Cork Hurling is often at its best as shown by their Munster Championship victory over them earlier in the season.

Limerick v Cork Rivalry

Both counties first played each other in Championship hurling in the 1893 Munster Final where Cork ran out convincing winners by a 4-8 to 0-0 scoreline.

Since the turn of the century it has come to be regarded as one of the biggest rivalries in Gaelic games with 70 meetings taking place with Cork winning 47 times, Limerick on 19 occasions and 4 draws taking place.

Limerick vs Cork Previous Championship Results

2024: Cork won 3-28 to 3-26

2023: Limerick won 3-25 to 1-30

2021: Limerick won 2-25 to 1-17

2021: Limerick won 3-32 to 1-22

2021: Limerick won 2-22 to 1-17

Trends

Limerick have won 4 of the last 5 games between the sides with the last time Cork beat Limerick outside of the Munster Championship in the 2006 All Ireland Quarter Final 0-19 to 0-18.

Key Players To Watch

Kyle Hayes – Limerick

The Kildimo-Pallaskenry Left-Wing Back is arguably the finest Hurler in the country and he has the awards to prove it, standing out in a dominant Limerick side with 4 All-Star awards in the last 4 seasons and another likely to be on the way this year regardless of the result from this game. He is a mountain of a man and a driving force in his team, if Cork could nullify his runs on the weekend they would certainly stand a better chance.

Patrick Horgan – Cork

Cork captain and talisman Patrick Horgan turned 36 last May and so this might be his last season to land that elusive All-Ireland success that his talents so richly deserve. He’s been Cork’s highest scorer in the Championship this season with a total of 5-57 and an average of 12 points across his 6 matches (more than any other player in the country). He would need that 12-point total again on Sunday to go top-scorer of the Championship ahead of Lee Chin.

Limerick v Cork: Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Limerick 3-18 Cork 0-20

Limerick have dominated hurling on the Grandest Stage of Them All (Croke Park) for some time and despite their Munster Championship defeat to Cork earlier in the season, they have a knack for winning the games that matter and seemingly always have gears to go on their opposition if they need to.

Cork hurling is undergoing a famine having not brought an All-Ireland Hurling Championship back to Leeside since 2005 despite reaching the final in 2006, 2013 and 2021. This might be their toughest test of them all and while Limerick are worthy favourites, Cork hurling is always at its best when their backs are seemingly on an uphill battle so have everything to gain and very little to lose Sunday.

Limerick should be far too good though and I think a few goals will be the difference between both teams.

Best Bet: Limerick -5 @ EVS

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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