Four-in-a-row proved beyond Cork as they were shocked by a Jimmy Smyth-inspired Clare in the 1955 Munster quarter-final. The defeat sparked several retirements and an influx of some new players to the Cork team which qualified to play reigning champions Limerick in the 1956 Munster final. With a quarter of the match remaining, Limerick were six points ahead and looked like retaining their title. Christy Ring came to the rescue for Cork and scored a hat-trick of goals in five minutes to secure a 5-5 to 3-5 victory. It was a fifth Munster medal for Lyons. For the second time in three years, Cork faced Wexford in the All-Ireland final on 23 September 1956. The game reached a climax in the closing stages as Cork were two points down. A great save by Art Foley from a Christy Ring shot was the key turning point of the game. Within a minute of that save the sliotar dropped into Foley again and, after it was cleared, it made its way up the pitch and was buried in the back of the Cork net by Nicky Rackard giving Wexford a 2-14 to 2-8 victory. With seconds remaining in the final and Wexford holding onto a two-point lead,