Limerick march into All-Ireland final with emphatic win over Galway

John Kiely’s side are into the decider on Sunday 23 July.

Fintan O'Toole Reports from Croke Park

Limerick 2-24

Galway 1-18

IF IT HAS been a season of nerve-jangling moments for the Limerick hurlers, this was an evening of comfort for them where their class showed in the biggest arena.

A fourth successive All-Ireland final awaits as they saw off Galway in an emphatic manner in this semi-final tie, the nine points separating the teams at the finish captured just how controlled this success ultimately was.

Galway started positively, producing plenty good stuff to go six points clear at one stage in the first half. But they were outscored 1-18 to 0-6 from the 25th minute on as Limerick’s blend of skill and power saw them completely overwhelm the Leinster finalists.

Limerick got a dream start, five minutes elapsed on the clock and Tom Morrissey arrowed in a delivery that had a familiar outcome. Aaron Gillane’s leap-catch-turn-strike sequence yielded a goal, the Patrickswell man having stealthily crept in behind Daithi Burke.

If Galway were rocked by that, they didn’t show it. Evan Niland’s reliability produced seven pointed frees in the opening half, Brian Concannon was terrific as he bagged three points and Conor Whelan notched a brace.

cathal-mannion-celebrates-scoring-his-sides-first-goal-of-the-game Cathal Mannion celebrates scoring Galway's goal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Their standout moment was supplied by Cathal Mannion. He unleashed a blistering drive in the 15th minute from the left of the Hill 16 goal, careering a shot past Nickie Quaid. The execution was superb, the creation by Kevin Cooney equally so to fetch a long delivery and play a clever reverse pass into the path of Mannion who charged through.

But for all of Galway’s first-half excellence, Limerick’s grim refusal to cave in saw them outscore Henry Shefflin’s side 0-6 to 0-1 from the 25th minute on. Galway’s interval advantage, 1-13 to 1-12, was a slender one.

aaron-gillane-celebrates-scoring-a-goal Aaron Gillane finds the net for Limerick. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Limerick scored six of the last seven points in the first half as the initiative had shifted and that momentum was maintained after the interval. Seamus Flanagan and Conor Whelan swapped points, before Diarmaid Byrnes, Gillane and Tom Morrissey pushed the winners two clear. Kevin Cooney struck a superb point in the 45th minute to cut the deficit after Galway had turned Limerick over in possession but it was the last moment to spark joy in Galway’s evening.

The defining score occurred in the next attack. David Reidy broke into open country and passed inside to Gillane. His first batted attempt bounced back off the bar but a despairing flick by Padraic Mannion from the rebound simply directed the ball back into Gillane’s path. At the second attempt he made no mistake to raise his second green flag.

Niland rattled over a free in response but from there it was a classic Limerick performance with a sturdy defence, slick passing and a flow of points all on show. They won the last quarter 0-7 to 0-2, the spoils landed in some style.

They march forward to the final in an ominously strong position for Kilkenny and Clare.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 2-6 (0-5f), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-3 (0-3f), Kyle Hayes 0-2, Gearóid Hegarty 0-2, Tom Morrissey 0-2, Séamus Flanagan 0-2, Peter Casey 0-2, Darragh O’Donovan 0-1, David Reidy 0-1, Cian Lynch 0-1, Graeme Mulcahy 0-1, Cathal O’Neill 0-1.

Scorers for Galway: Evan Niland 0-9 (0-9f), Cathal Mannion 1-1, Conor Whelan 0-3, Brian Concannon 0-3, Kevin Cooney 0-1, Tom Monaghan 0-1.

Limerick

1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)

4. Barry Nash (South Liberties), 3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 2. Mike Casey (Na Piarsigh)

5. Diarmuid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 9. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), 6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo Pallaskenry),

8. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), 11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)

12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane), 10. David Reidy (Dromin Athlacca), 7. Gearóid Hegarty (St Patricks)

14. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh Castlemahon), 13. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 15. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)

Subs

25. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister) for Tom Morrissey (55)
23. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for Casey (67)
17. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Hegarty (68)
21. Adam English (Doon) for O’Donovan (72)
26. Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock) for Flanagan (72)

Galway

1. Éanna Murphy (Tommy Larkins)

4. Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields), 6. Gearóid McInerney (Oranmore Maree), 2. Jack Grealish (Gort)

5. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh), 3. Daithí Burke (Turloughmore – captain), 8. Seán Linnane (Turloughmore),

10. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh), 7. Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields)

11. Cianan Fahy (Ardrahan), 9. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh), 14. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly)

13. Conor Whelan (Kinvara), 12. Kevin Cooney (Sarsfields), 15. Evan Niland (Clarinbridge)