A second-half comeback — inspired by man of the match Daniel Goulding — saw Cork retain their Munster senior football title against Limerick.

While they did not come anywhere near hitting the heights of their magnificent win over Kerry in the provincial semi-final, and were very poor for long periods, it was the result that mattered.

The visitors certainly put it up to the Rebels in the first-half, as they went in to a standing ovation from the travelling fans at half-time after opening up a 0-8 to 1-2 lead as Cork struggled.

After James Masters’ opening point for Cork, Limerick then reeled off four in a row.

However, following a good Cork move, Goulding was about to shoot for goal only to be fouled by Mark O’Riordan and Donncha O’Connor’s penalty levelled.

Limerick responded better to that score and Ryan’s point made it 0-6 to 1-2 on 19 minutes. Ryan and the impressive Seanie Buckley were both on target between then and the break to give them that three-point interval lead.

Ger Collins extended that to four 16 seconds into the second period and Cork looked to be really up against it.

Goulding then stepped up to the plate with a goal and two point in the space of three minutes.

That flurry made it 2-4 to 0-9 as Cork led for the first time since the opening minute. Though Stephan Lavin levelled for Limerick, points from O’Neill and Donncha O’Conensured Cork held on but they will know that improvement is needed.

CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, K O’Connor; G Spillane, G Canty, B O’Regan; A O’Connor, N Murphy; P Kerrigan, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding (1-3), J Masters (0-1), D O’Connor (1-1, 1-0 penalty, 0-1f).Subs: P Kissane for O’Regan (27), F Goold for A O’Connor (blood, 30-34), Goold for O’Connor (blood, 46-47), C O’Neill (0-1) for Masters (50), A Walsh for Spillane (59), P O’Flynn for Kerrigan (62), Goold for A O’Connor (injured, 62), Spillane for Canty (blood, 70).

LIMERICK: S Kiely; J McCarthy, M O’Riordan, S Gallagher; S Lavin (0-1), S Lucey, P Ranahan (0-1); J O’Donovan, J Galvin; P Browne, I Ryan (0-4), S Buckley (0-3); G Collins (0-1), C Joyce-Power, S Kelly (0-1).Subs: K O’Callaghan for Joyce-Power (34), J Stokes for O’Callaghan (55), A Lane for Gallagher (62), E Hogan for Browne (65).

Referee: R Hickey (Clare).