The O'Connor twins from Newtownshandrum, Ben and Jerry, scored the winning points in a hectic finish to this tie, which was played in miserable conditions at the Gaelic Grounds.

Whenever the ball landed it generally went dead, resulting in as many rucks and mauls as could be expected at nearby Thomond Park. It rained all the way through, but the crowd of 9,000 were treated to bracing doses of hurling passion.

Frustration set in among the players in the second half, and two separate brawls resulted in referee Barry Kelly topping up his list of bookings. However, at least two players were fortunate to remain on the pitch.

"In terms of looking for players for the championship, the game was a great test of character," said Cork manager Bertie Óg Murphy. His opposite number, Eamon Cregan, opined: "I'm delighted with the way my players performed in the second half and the game was in doubt up to the last minute."

Murphy, without the services of score-poacher Joe Deane, who is injured, tried out 19 players in all but only Ben O'Connor of the original six forwards remained to the end. However, he started in the left corner and finished up in what looks his best position, on the right.

Murphy, in charge for the first time, insists that his objective in the league campaign is two-fold, to win it and discover extra championship material.

He had no problems is asserting that players such as Alan Cummins, a son of former Kilkenny icon Frank, John Browne at centre back, Kieran Murphy, Alan Browne and the O'Connors in attack would merit selection for any Munster championship match.

"Things had been a little quiet over the past couple of years," said Murphy, "but the signs are now very healthy for the game in Cork. We have a great depth of talent in the county and the attitude is right."

Cork were particularly strong at half back, with Derek Barrett and Fergal Ryan flanking the hardworking John Browne.

The youthful Mike O'Brien and Mark Foley filled the wing back spots on the Limerick team with distinction. O'Brien's sorties down the right were inspirational, while Foley had three successive points from 65s in the first half.

He had one miss from 55 yards, but one felt that Foley should have been left on free-taking duty. Chances from feasible positions were squandered in the last quarter as the game's tempo quickened and Cork, now favoured by the gale-force wind, were in the process of eroding a four-point deficit.

Despite having a strong wind and the rain on their backs in the first half, Limerick had failed to register a score until the 13th minute, a pointed Paul O'Grady free. Alan Browne had by then given Cork a two-point advantage from close-in frees.

There was a gap of over six minutes to Limerick's second point after 19 minutes. But in fairness that was a match highlight scored from almost half way by the talented Stephen Lucey.

Considering the strength of the wind, Limerick's three-point half-time lead, stretched to four by O'Grady early in the second half, seemed tenuous.

However, as Cregan himself acknowledged: "We played well in the second half." But the Limerick manager was disappointed that his team could not turn good possession to better account.

In fact, Limerick managed only three of their nine points from play.

High-pitched excitement was the order as the 70 minutes drew to a close. Cork substitute Neil Ronan collected possession out the field with four minutes to go and levelled the game at 0-8 each to set the scene for the hectic closing minutes.

Ben O'Connor, from a free at an angle on the right, then whipped over a point to give Cork the lead.Owen Foley's superb 69th-minute point for Limerick then levelled the scores before Jerry O'Connor restored the Cork lead with another point.

He then put the issue beyond doubt with another point, this time in the second minute of injury time. He had earlier helped to reduce Limerick's lead, just moments after replacing Niall McCarthy as a 51st minute substitute.

CORK: S Óg Cusack; M Prendergast, D O'Sullivan, W Sherlock; D Barrett, J Browne, F Ryan; A Cummins, T McCarthy; K Murphy (0-1), M Landers, N McCarthy; S McGrath (0-1), A Browne (0-4 three frees), B O'Connor (0-1, free). Subs: E Collins for Landers, 43 mins; J O'Connor (0-3) for N McCarthy, 50 mins; P Ryan for Murphy (51 mins); N Ronan (0-1) for A Browne 56 mins.

LIMERICK: J Quaid; S McDonagh, TJ Ryan, J Foley; M O'Brien, B Geary, M Foley (0-3, three 65's); S Lucey (0-2), C Carey; P O'Grady (0-3, free, 65), O Moran, S O'Connor; J Butler, E O'Neill, B Foley. Subs: O Foley (0-1) for Butler, 51 mins; M Keane for O'Grady, 56 mins.

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).