GAA rounnd-up:A scoring spree midway through the second half was enough to give Kilkenny victory over Limerick in their All-Ireland quarter-final match at Semple Stadium. Kilkenny will now play Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final on August 19th.
Earlier at Semple, Cork came from behind to beat Waterford in front of a crowd of 38,116. The Deise led by three points with 11 minutes to play but Jimmy Barry-Murphy's use of the bench proved to be the difference between the sides as Cork overpowered Waterford in the dying minutes. The Rebels will now play Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final on August 12th.
The margin of Kilkenny's victory over Limerick may have been nine points in the end but there were nervous moments for Kilkenny, particularly in the first half. David Breen gave Limerick the early impetus with a well-taken goal but two goals from Henry Shefflin in quick succession brought Kilkenny back into the game. The Cats led at half-time on a score-line of 2-7 to 1-9 but they relied heavily on Shefflin who posted a personal tally of 2-6.
Limerick's Breen and Shane Dowling posed the greatest threat to the Kilkenny defence but their challenge fell away after two quickfire goals in the second half sent the reigning All-Ireland champions into an unassailable lead.
On 54 minutes, Aidan Fogarty found himself in plenty of space and he took the time to accurately dispatch the ball past Nickie Quaid in the Limerick goal. Seconds later, Colin Fennelly delivered Kilkenny's fourth goal with an emphatic finish.
Richie Hogan was then given a straight red card on 60 minutes for lashing out one-handed with his hurl. Despite the setback, Limerick were never really able to get close to Kilkenny and Brian Cody's charges are sure to relish the opportunity to prove themselves against Tipperary in three weeks' time.
The other semi-final will see Cork take on Galway after the Rebels staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Waterford.
Cork began brightly and a goal from Jamie Coughlin on 16 minutes put them into a lead. Waterford rallied and their talisman John Mullane was the catalyst for their first half resurgence. Maurice Shanahan was accurate from the dead ball and a Stephen Molumphy point on 32 minutes drew the sides level. Nevertheless points from Cian McCarthy and Pat Horgan gave Cork a 1-9 to 0-11 half-time lead.
Waterford impressed early in the second half and points from Pauric Mahony and Shane Walsh helped the Deise into a three point lead.
Jimmy Barry-Murphy replaced his entire starting half-forward line and the move proved to be decisive. Substitutes Cathal Naughton and Darren Sweetnam were heavily involved in the last 10 minutes and when fellow substitute Lorcn O'Farrell levelled matters with minutes remaining a Cork victory became inevitable.
Horgan and Seán Óg OhAilpín added points in the dying stages to push them over the line.
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Cork 1-19 Waterford 0-19
Kilkenny 4-16 Limerick 1-16