Cork marked their return to inter-county hurling action with a 1-25 to 0-18 victory over Limerick in a challenge match which was watched by over 3,000 spectators at Newtownshandrum on Wednesday night, February 27. Playing their first match since the players' strike ended last week, the Rebels produced a strong second half to run out comfortable 10-point winners. Both Cork manager Gerard McCarthy and his Limerick counterpart Richie Bennis fielded understrength teams, but it was the more established players who shun brightest under the Newtownshandrum lights. Neil Ronan, Niall McCarthy and John Gardiner were very prominent for the winners, while Damien Reale, Stephen Lucey, Mark Foley and Donie Ryan were the pick of the Limerick team. The sides were level on no fewer than nine occasions in the first half before Cork grabbed the last two points of the half to lead by 0-14 to 0-12 at the interval. The Rebels extended their advantage with three quick points following the changeover and although Mike Fitzgerald and Mark Foley pegged back points for Limerick, the home side never looked back after Neil Ronan scored the only goal in the 48th minute. Cork - D. Óg Cusack; S. White, D. O'Sullivan, C. O'Connor; P. Kelly, J. Gardiner 0-4, C. McGann; J. Barrett 0-3, K. Murphy 0-2; P. Cronin 0-1, N. McCarthy 0-2, C. Naughton 0-3; P. Horgan 0-4, B. Corry 0-1, N. Ronan 1-3. Subs - M. Coleman, S. Farrell, E. Cadogan, G. Callinan, A. Mannix, S Dineen, K. Canty 0-2. Limerick - B. Murray; D. Reale, S. Lucey, D. Clancy; D. Cosgrove, P. O'Dwyer 0-5, M. Foley 0-2; D. O'Grady, N. Moran; M. Fitzgerald 0-2, M. O'Brien 0-1, S. Lavin; D. Ryan 0-2, S. O'Connor 0-3, P. Tobin 0-2. Subs - B. Begley, B. Foley, M. Fitzgerald, K. Tobin 0-1. Ref - A. Cummins (Cork) Tweet

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