GAA: Limerick continue Munster charge, Dublin and Louth set for Leinster decider

The provincial hurling championship brought plenty of drama this weekend, as rivals in Munster and Leinster renewed acquaintances.

In Munster, the first game of the day saw Clare travel to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to meet Cork.

Having each taken losses in the opening round last weekend, both counties were in need of a win to put themselves back on track.

An even start showed both sides were well up for the challenge, with little separating them throughout the half.

By the break, a burst of momentum for Cork saw them two points up, 0-14 to 0-12.

Although Clare's Mark Rodgers was first to strike in the second half, Patrick Horgan showed his class to net for the Rebels in jig time, stretching their lead to four points.

Brian Lohan's men hit a lull, as Cork pushed their lead to six, but sprung back to life when Rodgers provided a much-needed goal to lift his county.

The visitors fought back to a one-point deficit, when discipline again cost Cork, as a second yellow with just over 50 minutes gone sent Seán O'Donoghue to the sideline for the remainder.

Aidan McCarthy, who was solid over the placed ball all afternoon, gave the leveller, and from there Clare pushed on with goals in quick succession from Shane O'Donnell and David Fitzgerald.

But complacency seemed to set in, and a slow set-up by the Banner backs to defend a Cork free was capitalised on by Horgan, who took his opportunity to send his shot under the crossbar to raise the green flag.

However, the late shock wasn't enough to close the gap, and Clare were spared another agonising turnaround, ending 3-26 to 3-24 in their favour.

The province also saw action at the Gaelic Grounds, where Limerick hosted Tipperary.

Although the Premier county caused some upset for the All-Ireland