Limerick 37   0 Cork City 2: CORK CITY had to work hard for victory before a record attendance at Jackman Park.

A goal from a penalty 11 minutes into the second half broke the deadlock somewhat controversially. Referee Padraic Sutton deemed Brian Cleary had fouled Dave Mooney, who put his penalty kick low past Dave Ryan.

City wrapped it up 10 minutes from the end, when a cross from Danny Murphy was superbly headed past Ryan by Darren Murphy.

Limerick had a great chance of going in front after 19 minutes when it took a last-gasp effort by Pat Sullivan to scramble a clearance.

Cork had to wait until 33 minutes before they tested Ryan, who dropped a free but had time to gather at the second attempt.

As the tempo increased Cork's Darren Murphy was yellow carded for dissent on 42 minutes and immediately afterwards Limerick's Wayne Colbert was booked for a late challenge.

Denis Behan squandered an early second-half chance but when Cork went ahead the Limerick attack looked less and less likely to break through as the Cork defence took control.

LIMERICK 37: Dave Ryan; Daly, Cleary, White, Colbert (Quinlivan, 82 mins), Fogarty, Danaher, David Ryan, McCarthy (Bruton, 67 mins), Harrington (Cosgrave, 75 mins), Manjor.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Gamble, Lordan, (Myler, 87 mins), Darren, Murphy, Behan (O'Flynn, 65 mins), Sullivan, Kearney, Danny Murphy, Mooney (O'Connor, 89 mins).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).