BACK TO the drawing board for Limerick and Waterford after a forgettable afternoon of hurling in Semple Stadium yesterday. A taste of what you missed? Limerick scored just three times in the first half. Waterford limited themselves to just a couple of scores from frees in the second.

Stalemate was what was merited, and both teams and their supporters will hope for better conditions when they return to Thurles in six days to decide who advance to the Munster final.

Yesterday’s game was poor bordering on depressing despite a close finish, and the general mood was matched by a formal complaint to the Munster Council from Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald. Visibly emotional, Fitzgerald was highly critical of how he, his son Colm and his team had been treated in Semple Stadium.

“There were certain things today since we came here that I wasn’t happy about. From the start things happened that shouldn’t happen. Even the way my young fella was treated wasn’t right. The Munster Council need to have a good look at themselves.

“We play this game because we love it. They should think about that and not these stupid regulations. I am a hurling man and I would be a bit put out about one or two things that happened today. Very put out.

“And that is nothing to do with Limerick and their performance. I have nothing but respect for Limerick and the way they played the game and conducted themselves.”

It is believed Fitzgerald’s son Colm was physically restrained from joining his father and the team on the pitch at the start of the game. The Waterford manager wished to register his anger, but declined to specify the precise nature of his grievances.

“I wasn’t happy with one or two other things and one or two comments that were thrown my direction. Not happy. I won’t go into detail. I’m not going further into it. I am just not happy with the way we were treated.

“My little fella is years going to games and I didn’t like what happened before the game. This game is about promoting things for young fellas. A lot of us give up a lot of our time. I get expenses, but I do so much stuff for the GAA that I don’t get a cent for or want a cent for. I was fuming today. Two or three instances. I got a small bit of abuse coming out the tunnel.

“And for the last number of years my son has always come with me to whatever games I am involved in. Today he was held back. An arm put around him – I want to leave it at that. I am so disappointed. This game is about young people. Whatever happens outside on the field happens, but some fellas get power and it goes to their heads. They should have a look at themselves in the mirror.”

A Munster Council spokesman said they would examine the complaints when they had more detail.

As for the hurling, it was pretty much as Fitzgerald colourfully described it: absolutely cat.

In the poor weather the game got scrappier and scrappier, with loose ball the order of the day and not much clean possession to either team. Limerick caught the breaks in the second half. Waterford had them in the first.

Other talking points were the farrago at half-time when first Limerick and then Waterford stood out on the field in Thurles in the driving rain waiting for their opponents.

Discussion, too, on the relative eclipse of established stars like Ken McGrath of Waterford and Ollie Moran of Limerick, both of whom were picked at centre forward.

Waterford opened up a source of scores in the opening half through John Mullane, who had four points from play, and through the free-taking of Eoin Kelly. Just one other Waterford player, Séamus Prendergast, got on the score sheet for the day.

Limerick looked even more anaemic until the introduction on the half hour of the beanpole full forward Dave Breen. His aerial presence gave Limerick an easy target and his goal early in the second half set up their revival, having begun the half six points adrift. They won a huge amount of possession but the scores flowed as freely as blood from a stone.

“The ball was like a bar of soap,” said Limerick captain Mark Keane. “Sliding all over the place. Had to concentrate on the basics. Getting the touch right. We’re happy to get out to see another day.”

At least somebody was content.

Next weekend is now hurling-heavy, with two semi-finals proceeding in Leinster and Waterford and Limerick being rematched in Thurles. Galway and Kilkenny, scheduled for Tullamore, will share the Saturday limelight with their Munster counterparts.