His long puck-outs were hugely effective, which was why the two goals coughed up for short restarts were so galling. Still, kept his head late on when the pressure was at its most intense.
A mixed performance in that he was out in front to snap up quick Limerick deliveries yet was caught for those two goals.
Pity about the errors but like Collins, didn't wilt.
Replaced after 20 minutes because he'd picked up a harsh yellow card along with Seamus Flanagan, despite his solid start.
Extremely tidy display, wasn't prominent but neither was his man. Just what you want in your corner-back really.
Solid in the right wing-back slot. Like O'Leary, wasn't heavily involved in terms of possessions but broke up quite a few puck-outs.
Absolutely immense in the absence of the injured Ciarán Joyce.
Grabbed ball from the skies, gave Cian Lynch plenty of it in the first half before he was moved and generally offered a massive presence in a key slot. Could have been Man of the Match.
Decent first half, aside from one stray pass close to goal, but was under savage pressure when Gearóid Hegarty got motoring.
Monster first half, in the thick of the action while landing a sweet point. Ran out of steam but only after emptying the tank.
Official MVP from the pundits and it was hard to argue with their choice. He rifled over 0-5 from play and beyond that he was in the thick of the action throughout, battling for every break in the middle third.
Massive showing on the wing, causing Diarmaid Byrnes huge issues on puck-outs while grabbing 1-2 and assisting 1-2.
SHANE BARRETT: Caused Declan Hannon major problems with his movement, setting up the first goal and stitching the second at a critical stage.
Finished with 1-2, assisted 1-1 and fouled for 0-3. A terrific display and secured a crucial possession out wide deep into injury time.
Particularly in the first half, his power and aggression were essential in keeping Kyle Hayes occupied. Tired, understandably, after a massive shift.
Two points from play and a couple of assists while crucially keeping the Limerick full-back line honest with his movement and ability to get out in front.
Upped the ante by getting on far more ball than he had on his first start against Clare. Scored 0-2 and fouled for two close-range frees, one after leaping to grab a puck-out at a stage when Cork were struggling to secure primary possession.
Another statement performance for the ageless wonder. He turned 36 last week but delivered another match-winning showing by blasting home the penalty under huge pressure.
Arrowed over a trademark gem of a point and was fouled for two of his nine frees.
Called in after the first quarter and used his experience throughout to harry Aaron Gillane after moving off Flanagan. Kept battling hard in the closing minutes when the cause looked lost.
When Twomey was out of gas, Roche was brought on for the first time this season and grafted hard.
Might have only been introduced after 62 minutes but saved Cork's season with a sizzling run to knife through the Limerick rearguard and earn the penalty.
Shored up the half-back line in the closing stages.
On late for the injured Downey but scrapped tenaciously.