In perfect conditions for hurling, the supreme fitness levels of the Rebels told in the end and late goals from Seamus Harnedy and Paudie O’Sullivan proved decisive.

It was an uncharacteristically low-scoring opening half and it took six minutes before Shane Dowling got the scoreboard ticking with a free for Limerick.

Aidan Walsh put the disappointment of last week’s loss to Kerry in the football equivalent to bed by getting his side’s first score in the 10th minute.

Limerick were winning the personal battles in the opening quarter and the lead by 0-8 to 0-4 after 21 minutes.

However, gradually the tide turned and Cork began to get on top all over the field with Anthony Nash’s long range free laying the foundation of the Cork fight-back.

Six unanswered points would follow and they lead 0-11 to 0-8 in the 34th minute.

Paudie O’Brien eased the reigning champions back into the game with his score as Limerick scored four of the last five points before the break with the teams going in 0-12 to 0-12 at half-time.

Pa Cronin exited due to injury and Paudie O’Sullivan was introduced which would be a telling move from Jimmy Barry-Murphy.

The teams scored at will at the beginning of the second 35 minutes as the lead swapped hands until Harnedy burst through to goal for the Leesiders in the 55th minute.

Then when O’Sullivan added a goal to his earlier point ten minutes later, Cork were held the decisive advanatge.

Dowling tried in vain for Limerick but their chance waned and they will now look forward to a game against either Wexford or Waterford while Cork booked their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Scorers:

Cork: P Horgan 0-8 (0-6f), S Harnedy 1-2, C Lehane 0-5, P O’Sullivan 1-1, A Cadogan 0-3, B Cooper 0-2, A Walsh 0-2, A Nash 0-1

Limerick: S Dowling 0-12 (0-8f), G Mulcahy 0-3, D O’Grady 0-2, J Ryan 0-1, D Hannon 0-1, K Downes 0-1, P Browne 0-1, D Breen 0-1, W McNamara 0-1

Cork: A Nash; S O’Neill, D Cahalane (W Egan 43), S McDonnell; C Joyce, M Ellis, L McLoughlin; D Kearney, A Walsh; C Lehane, B Cooper, S Harnedy; A Cadogan (S Moylan 70), P Cronin (P O’Sullivan 35), P Horgan.

Limerick: N Quaid; T Condon, R McCarthy, S Hickey; P O’Brien (S Walsh 52), W McNamara, G O’Mahony (C King 67); J Ryan, P Browne; D Hannon (S Tobin 56), D O’Grady, S Dowling; G Mulcahy, K Downes (T Ryan 69), D Breen.

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).