MUNSTER IHC SEMI-FINAL/Limerick 2-12 Waterford 2-9:LIMERICK'S KEENER cutting edge proved decisive yesterday at Semple Stadium.

Their forwards sliced and diced the Waterford defence whereas the Deise were heavily reliant on the free-taking of Stephen Power.

Waterford led by four points to two after 15 minutes, but once Limerick’s Seán Madden goaled the balance of power shifted as their inside forward line of Donie Reale, Denis O’Connor and Tommy Quaid kept the scoreboard busy.

Five unanswered points before half-time put Limerick 1-7 to 0-6 ahead, but Waterford threatened a revival after the break when Power rattled a penalty to the net after Tommy Connors was hauled down. Limerick didn’t panic and points from Seán O’Brien (2), Quaid and Madden put them 1-12 to 1-7 ahead with 12 minutes left.

Quaid sealed the win when he scuffed the ball to the net. Waterford did mount a late charge when Paudie Nevin’s shot from 30 yards was deflected past Barry Hennessy and Power reduced the deficit to three points with another free.

LIMERICK: B Hennessy; J Dillon, B Kelliher, D Moloney; N Maher, P Begley, T O’Callaghan; J Hayes, D Hanley; S O’Brien (0-2), S Madden (1-1), C Allis (0-1, 65); D Reale (0-2), D O’Connor (0-4, two frees), T Quaid (1-2). Subs: M Ryan for D O’Connor (47 mins), D Ahearne for T Quaid (57 mins).

WATERFORD: S O’Keefe; B Coughlan, I Flynn, M O’Brien; B Phelan, C Ryan, S Hannon; E Barrett, I Twomey (0-2); P Nevin (1-0), S Power (1-7, 0-1 pen, 0-7 frees), P Power; A Brophy, T Connors, C O’Gorman. Subs: K Cashell for C O’Gorman (35 mins), R Power for A Brophy (44 mins), H Barnes for I Twomey (50 mins).

Referee: J O’Connell (Cork).