Limerick 0-18
Waterford 1-10
Jackie Cahill reports from Semple Stadium
LEO O’CONNOR’S LIMERICK came from six points down against Waterford this evening to keep alive their hopes of a third successive Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling championship crown.
Captain and goalkeeper Eoghan McNamara hit 0-5 from placed balls and Perter Casey went one point better as the Shannonsiders set up a semi-final clash with Cork on 1 July.
With home advantage for that one at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick will feel confident of reversing their provincial quarter-final defeat against the Rebels at Páirc Uí Rinn.
But for Waterford, it was heartbreak at the hands of Limerick once again, as the Déise lost the last two Munster finals against the champions.
Despite some goalkeeping heroics from Billy Nolan, Waterford bowed out after failing to score from play in the second half.
Indeed, Seán Lyons’s charges went 26 minutes of playing time without a score until Jack Prendergast converted a free with 11 minutes remaining.
That followed a run of nine unanswered points from Limerick, three before the break and six on the resumption in front of 1267 spectators at Semple Stadium in Thurles.
McNamara capped a display of real leadership with unerring accuracy from placed balls and a crucial second half save to deny Eddie Meaney. When play switched to the other end of the pitch, Brian Ryan popped over a point that put Limerick 0-14 to 1-8 clear.
At half-time, Aaron O’Sullivan’s 21st minute goal separated the sides.
The Waterford corner forward found the net with a low drive that appeared to take a deflection off Jack O’Grady’s stick before ending up in the Limerick net.
That strike put some daylight between the sides, 1-5 to 0-3, and Waterford went on to lead by six points before Limerick hit the final three scores of the opening half.
Waterford will feel that they could have been further in front after having the better of a game that started with incessant rain falling.
But they also had Nolan to thank for two cracking saves to keep out Barry Murphy and Kyle Hayes.
Limerick’s top scorer in that opening half was Casey, as the Na Piarsaigh man hit three points, including two frees after taking over placed ball duties from Seamus Flanagan early in the game.
Scorers for Limerick: Peter Casey 0-6 (4f), Eoghan McNamara 0-5 (3 65s, 2f), Brian Ryan 0-2, Willie O’Meara, Kyle Hayes, Seamus Flanagan, Barry Murphy & Darragh Carroll 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Aaron O’Sullivan 1-1, Jack Prendergast 0-3 (2f), Andy Molumby 0-2, Billy Nolan (f) Calum Lyons, Glenn Waters & Peter Hogan 0-1 each.
Limerick
1. Eoghan McNamara (Captain) (Doon)
2. Thomas Hayes (Doon)
3. Conor McSweeney (South Liberties)
4. Jack O Grady (Knockainey)
5. Conor Byrnes (Murroe Boher)
6. Paddy O Loughlin (Kilmallock)
7. Conor Houlihan (Na Piarsaigh)
8. Thomas Grimes (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Willie O Meara (Askeaton)
10. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo Pallaskenry)
11. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh Castlemahon)
12. Brian Ryan (South Liberties)
13. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Barry Murphy (Doon)
15. Darragh Carroll (Kilteely Dromkeen)
Subs
20. Mikey Mackey (Adare) for O’Meara (47)
17. Ciaran O’Connor (Kilmallock) for Houlihan (52)
19. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Hayes (56)
21. Eoin Ryan (Adare) for Grimes (60)
22. Paudie Ahern (Killeedy) for O’Grady (60+4)
Waterford
1. Billy Nolan (Roanmore)
4. Darragh McGrath (Abbeyside)
3. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside)
2. Darragh Lynch (Passage)
8. Calum Lyons (Ballyduff Lower)
5. Jordan Henley (Tallow)
7. Cormac Dunphy (Ballyduff Lower)
11. Andy Molumby (Cappoquin)
6. Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan)
10. Glenn Waters (Dungarvan)
9. J.P. Lucey (Shamrocks)
12. Eddie Meaney (De La Salle)
13. Aaron O’Sullivan (Cappquin)
14. Jack Prendergast (Lismore)
15. Peter Hogan (Ballygunner)
Subs
17. Jake Beecher (Tallow) for McGrath (37)
19. Mikey Daykin (Mount Sion) for Waters (46)
20. John Kennedy (Ballyduff Lower) for Lucey (49)
18. Carthach Barry (Brickey Rangers) for Meaney (60+1)
Referee: Philip Kelly (Tipperary)
