Limerick are sweating on a suspension for captain Cian Lynch after he was sent off in yesterday’s dramatic Munster championship defeat to Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Lynch received a straight red card from referee James Owens in the 50th minute for an apparent jab of the hurley into Tim O’Mahony off the ball.

RTÉ pundit Anthony Daly said replays confirmed it was the right call.

Referee James Owens issues a red card to Cian Lynch. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

‘There’s a flick and then there’s a second flick. There are so many eyes now and everyone mic’d up, you won’t get away with it,’ Daly said.

Under GAA rules, a straight red for striking with a hurley carries a minimum one-match ban, meaning Lynch will miss next Sunday’s crucial trip to Ennis to face Clare.

Limerick may yet decide to appeal the red in an effort to get it rescinded but, given the general reaction to the red, a successful appeal seems unlikely.

Cian Lynch in action against Cork’s Tommy O’Connell. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Aaron Gillane also out

To make matters worse, Limerick are already without Aaron Gillane, who picked up a calf injury at training last Tuesday.

Manager John Kiely confirmed Gillane will also miss the Clare game but is targeting a return ‘in the coming weeks.’

Despite the red card, 14-man Limerick nearly pulled off an incredible victory.

Diarmaid Byrnes smashed a 20-yard free into the net in the 68th minute to put them ahead, before Cork hit the last three points to win 2-22 to 1-23.

Cork meanwhile are sweating on injuries to Ciarán Joyce, whose knee injury ‘doesn’t look good,’ and Robert Downey, with both set for scans today.