Limerick beat Cork by a point in a decisive Munster Hurling Championship clash at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.
It was as victory which qualified Limerick for the Munster final and eliminated Cork from the championship.
Galway legend Joe Canning felt that reigning All-Ireland champions Limerick had several decisions by referee James Owens go their way which should have gone in favour of Cork.
'The breaks went for Limerick'
For Seamus Flanagan's 22nd minute goal, Canning thought Owens should have awarded a free to Cork as Aaron Gillane held Sean O'Donoghue's hurley.
Seamus Flanagan blasts from close range for the opening goal.
Limerick needed it after good Cork momentum. Highlights from 9.30pm on #sundaygame
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"Aaron Gillane plays Sean O'Donoghue's hurl, wins it in the air," Canning said on The Sunday Game.
"You can see Sean O'Donoghue saying 'Ref, he played my hurl'. It should have been a free out."
Cathal O'Neill scored Limerick's second goal of the came after 30 minutes. Canning thought a free should have been given to Cork.
28 May 2023; Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins prepares to stop the sliothar as Aaron Gillane of Limerick is tackled by Sean O'Donoghue of Cork during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 5 match between Limerick and Cork at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
"Great finish from Cathal O'Neill but [William O'Donoghue] threw the ball into him," said Canning.
"Another decision that they got a goal with.
"Straight that after the referee said that Damien Cahalane picked the ball off ground but on closer inspection the ball bounces, and is up off the ground - no free.
"That's four points straight away."
During the second half, Owens awarded a free against Gillane for holding O'Donoghue's hurley. However, just minutes later, he failed to spot that Gillane had again held the defender's hurley, and instead adjudged that O'Donoghue had brought the forward to the ground and awarded a penalty to Limerick. Diarmuid Byrnes converted the penalty to put Limerick four points ahead.
55' Limerick 3-19 Cork 0-24
Limerick have momentum - but plenty of time for twists and turns.
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"Here a free is given against Aaron Gillane in the second half and five minutes later, probably a massive turning point, practically the exact same thing here," said Canning.
"Gillane holds his hurl, and pulls himself to the ground - a penalty. It's one of the best penalties that I've seen in a long time.
"I'm just saying that they are fine margins between staying in the championship and being out. The breaks went for Limerick. There was only a score in it at the end.
"Limerick needed that just to get back and get into a Munster final. I don't think Clare will be happy meeting Limerick in a Munster final. They are the breaks you need, and the fine margins from Cork being out of the championship to staying in the championships."
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