Limerick 1 – 27
Galway 2 – 9
A SUPREME DISPLAY of shooting from Ronan Lynch ensured Limerick of a place in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final, where they will face Kilkenny.
The Treaty county powered into a commanding lead early on against Galway at Croke Park, Tom Morrissey and Lynch helping them into a 0 -6 to 1 -2 lead after eight minutes.
The Tribesmen narrowed the gap in no time thanks to a goal from Conor Whelan. However, that score served only to disrupt rather than derail Limerick’s march forward.
Conor Fitzgerald, Robbie Hanley and Barry Nash were among the scorers as Limerick reopened an ominous lead. It was 0 – 15 to 1 – 3 when Barry Nash netted the Munster side’s only goal of the day, a fine running finish from the South Liberties man after 25 minutes.
Whelan showed his pace reignite a glimmer of hope for Galway; his second goal putting the Tribesmen within nine points at half-time; 1 -17 to 2 – 5.
The second half would offer no such hope for the Westerners, however. As Limerick were able to keep Galway at arm’s length and just four points while Lynch, Nash and Barry Murphy dominated the 10 points at the other end.
The victory puts Limerick into the All-Ireland minor hurling final for the first time since 2005, and on September 7 they will be hoping to claim their first title since 1984.
Scorers for Limerick: Ronan Lynch 0-13 (0-9f, 0-1 ’65), Barry Nash 1-3, Tom Morrissey 0-3, Seamus Flanagan, Peter Casey 0-2 each, Robbie Hanley, Cian Lynch, Conor Fitzgerald, Barry Murphy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Conor Whelan 2-0, Brian Burke 0-4 (0-2f), Jack Grealish, Daniel Nevin 0-2 each, Conor Shaughnessy 0-1.
LIMERICK TEAM
1. Eoghan McNamara (Doon)
2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)
17. Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen)
5. Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)
6. Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen)
7. Conor Byrnes (Murroe-Boher)
11. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
14. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
15. Conor Fitzgerald (Claughaun)
GALWAY TEAM
1. Gearoid Loughnane (Loughrea)
2. Declan Cronin (Cappataggle)
3. Oisin Coyle (Loughrea)
4. Stephen Roche (Kilnadeema-Leitrim)
5. Richard Doyle (Turloughmore)
6. Jamie Holland (Turloughmore)
7. Ronan Bellew (Padraig Pearses)
8. Daniel Nevin (Cappataggle)
9. Kevin McHugo (Tommie Larkins)
11. David Mangan (Kilconieron)
14. Brian Burke (Killimordaly)
Subs: Sean Loftus (Turloughmore) for Doyle (27), Stephen Barrett (Liam Mellowes) for Bellew (half-time), Jarlath Mannion (Cappataggle) for McHugo (38).