Limerick rally against Waterford to keep title hopes alive

Limerick 0-19 Waterford 1-10

Champions Limerick rallied from six points down against Waterford in Thurles to keep alive their hopes of claiming a third successive Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling championship title.

Goalkeeper Eoghan McNamara led by example for the Shannonsiders with five points from placed balls at Semple Stadium, as Peter Casey registered 0-6 for the winners.

It was heartbreak for Waterford once again against Limerick, as the winners had claimed victory in the last two Munster finals between the counties.

Aaron O’Sullivan’s 21st minute goal helped Waterford to lead by 1-7 to 0-4 but Sean Lyons’s charges went 26 minutes of playing time without a score, allowing Limerick to register nine points without reply.

Crucially, Limerick hit the last three points of the opening half to remain very much in touch at half-time, trailing by 0-7 to 1-7.

Billy Nolan performed heroics in the Waterford goal with some fine saves but it wasn’t enough to thwart Limerick, who play quarter-final conquerors Cork in the semi-final on July 1.

Waterford failed to register a score from play in the second half.

Limerick: E McNamara (0-5, 3 65s, 2f); T Hayes, C McSweeney, J O'Grady; C Byrnes, P O'Loughlin, C Houlihan; T Grimes, W O'Meara (0-1); K Hayes (0-1), S Flanagan (0-1), B Ryan (0-2); P Casey (0-6, 4f), B Murphy (0-1), D Carroll (0-1).

Subs: M Mackey for O'Meara (47), C O'Connor for Houlihan (52), C Boylan for Hayes (56), E Ryan for Grimes (60), P Ahern for O'Grady (60+4).

Waterford: B Nolan (0-1f); D McGrath, C Prunty, D Lynch; C Lyons (0-1), J Henley, C Dunphy; A Molumby (0-2), D Lyons; G Waters (0-1), JP Lucey, E Meaney; A O'Sullivan (1-1), J Prendergast (0-3, 2f), P Hogan (0-1).

Subs: J Beecher for McGrath (37), M Daykin for Waters (46), J Kennedy for Lucey (49), C Barry for Meaney (60+1).

Referee: P Kelly (Tipperary)