Limerick secured their first championship victory since 1997 after defeating Cork in a thrilling Munster Hurling clash at Pairc Ui Caoimh this afternoon.
Limerick captain Barry Foley was inspirational in guiding his young and enthusiastic team to a six point lead at half time, thanks largely to corner forward James Butler's fierce goal.
After the break, Cork regained some composure and clawed their way back into the game.Cork captain Ben O'Connorled by example and scored two quick points from both sides of the pitch.Cork's resilience was then rewarded as Alan Browne burst through to score a scrappy goal.
Moments later, Cork forward Joe Deane leveled the game at 13 points each.At that stage the game could have gone either way but Limerick won a sideline ball which Foley converted from 30 yards to sneak victory.
In the Leinster football championship, Tommy Carr's Dublin side were too much for Longford to contain at Croke Park.The 1995 All-Ireland champions won 2-19 to 1-13 but relied on their brilliant second half performance to secure the result.
Earlier at the Dublin venue, Offaly won through to a semi-final meeting with Dublin after an unconvincing 1-13 to 0-12 victory over neighbours Laois.Vinny Claffey's goal at the end of the first half proved the turning point as it put Offaly back in the game after succumbing to Laois' early pressure.
In Ulster, Cavan won through to the next round after ousting Down 1-14 to 2-10 at Casement Park.