McGrath Cup Final/ Limerick 2-10 Cork IT 1-3: Veteran John Quane proudly lifted the McGrath Cup at the Gaelic Grounds - three months after he had hung up his boots.
With an endless catalogue of injuries, Limerick boss Liam Kearns persuaded the Galtee Gaels centre fielder back into the fold - even if only on a temporary basis.
Now after four games on the trot, and a trophy to boot, Quane, who took over captaincy in the absence of the honeymooning Muiris Gavin, is determined to be in the lineout for the opening round NFL game against Laois next weekend.
"The McGrath Cup might not be regarded as a major trophy but it is important to us," he said after the win.
With 15 minutes left the visitors were just two points in arrears but a Michael Reidy penalty started a Limerick scoring spree.
Limerick were first out of traps and points from John Murphy and newcomer Sean Buckley suggested they were not prepared to release their grip on the trophy they won last year.
Any thoughts of a runaway victory for Limerick were pushed aside, however, after a Brian Sheehan goal.
Cork IT shocked the home crowd with that 13th minute strike from Sheehan but they clocked eight wides in a tightly contested opening half, after which they trailed by 1-3 to 1-1.
In their defence, they could also claim that it was only after tiredness set in that the wheels really came apart.
Ger Ahern ended a barren spell with a delightful goal coming up to the half-time break and then Murphy clipped the ball between the uprights to put them ahead.
Buckley opened a three-point gap but Donnacha O'Connor revived Cork hopes with a point from play.
On 44 minutes the scene was altered when Colm Hickey was upended inside the penalty area and Reidy stepped up to fire the ball past goalkeeper Kevin Murphy to leave it 2-4 to 1-2. After that Limerick were unstoppable.
Points flowed from Ger Ahern, Stephen Lavin, Conor Mullane and substitute Muiris Gavin.
Cork mentor Liam Hodnett also agreed it was a useful exercise for his team.
"We had hoped for one match in the McGrath Cup to help us prepare for the upcoming Sigerson Cup and ended up with four. These were all quality matches and a huge benefit to our team."
LIMERICK: M Jones; J McCarthy, D Sheehy, P Browne; D Reidy, S Lavin (0-1), A Lane; J Quane, J Donovan; S Buckley (0-2), J Murphy (0-3, one free), C Mullane (0-2); G Ahern (1-1), M Reidy (1-0), C Hickey. Subs: M Gavin (0-1) for Murphy, M O'Brien for Lane, J O'Connell for Hickey.
CORK IT: K Murphy; M Prout, P Neilan (0-1), P Sheehan; A Sheehy, N Hennessy, E O'Connor; M Kelleher, R Mageean; M Milner, A Morgan (0-1), D O'Connor (0-1); D Goulding, P O'Flynn, B Sheehan (1-0). Subs: J Gardiner for Milner, M Vaughan for Kelleher.
Referee: R Hickey (Clare)
