Two young teams, playing at lightening pace, and trading scores back and forth; Cork vs Limerick was all that we could have expected, and more. And Aaron Gillane very nearly ruined it all.
With never more than a score or two between them, Gillane, Limerick's free-taker and one of John Kiely's most promising forward, committed a bizarre error of judgement.
While waiting for Cork to take a sideline cut, Gillane became caught up in a tussle with Cork's Sean O'Donoghue. Although we may yet find out more details about what occurred, Gillane felt the need to clatter O'Donoghue twice with his hurley; right under the watchful eye of the linesman.
WATCH:
Here's the incident that led to a straight red card for Limerick's Aaron Gillane.
Cork lead by two! #MSHC #GAAClips pic.twitter.com/uiXq338ZJg— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2018
Thankfully, Gillane's departure didn't hamper Limerick's efforts too seriously.
However, building on the hype surrounding their first-half performance against Tipperary last week, Cork look every bit the serious Munster championship contenders; this point from Mark Coleman an absolute delight.
Mark Coleman wonder point for Cork pic.twitter.com/1BQbshRvSR
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 2, 2018
At the half-way mark, Cork lead Limerick 0-14 to 0-12.
