Ryan helps Limerick clear first hurdle

MUNSTER SFC FIRST ROUND: Limerick 2-12 Waterford 0-7:LIMERICK WERE the better of two poor teams at the Gaelic Grounds in the Munster football championship opener before a mere 2,341 patrons, with Ian Ryan being the top performer on view as Waterford failed to score in the second half.

Ryan had scored 0-8, seven frees, as Limerick clung to 1-10 to 0-7 lead with a couple of minutes remaining. He then scored a superb goal to ensure Limerick qualified to meet Clare at the same venue on Saturday, June 9th.

Winning manager Maurice Horan was delighted with the win but he will be fully aware of his side’s many shortcomings, especially during the first half. Those opening 35 minutes were very poor from both sides but Horan will be happy that his defence shone on the resumption and managed to keep Waterford scoreless.

The first half justified the fact that both teams are in Division Four with poor passing and both defences well on top. Waterford had the opening two points from JJ Hutchinson and Mark Ferncombe inside three minutes. Hutchinson was a late replacement for Seán Fleming while Seán Dempsey started for Paul Whyte.

Two points by Ian Ryan had Limerick level but a superbly taken score by Tony Grey, edged the Suirsiders back in front with Ryan again levelling matters from a free after he himself was pushed. Ger Collins and Ian Ryan fluffed goal chances before Limerick finally managed to grab the lead goal.

There was an element of good fortune about it as Waterford goalkeeper Kieran Cotter could only parry a clearance and the ball broke to handball champion, Séamus O’Carroll, who blasted to the net. Limerick led 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval with all of Waterford’s points coming from play.

A major turning point came two minutes into the second half when the Limerick defence conceded a penalty when Mark Ferncombe was hauled down.

Ferncombe took the penalty himself but Limerick goalkeeper Brian Scanlon saved the weakly-taken kick that would have put Waterford in front.

The Ryan show continued with three more pointed frees, with top forward Ger Collins getting two late points to add to another by substitute Stephen Kelly.

While Ryan was the scorer-in -chief for Limerick, he was given great support from Ger Collins, while O’Carroll also played a major part. There were other top grade displays by Johnny McCarthy, John Riordan, Pa Ranahan and Seanie Buckley.

Waterford will be disappointed with their effort and especially their second-half performance. Tony Grey was their best player with Shane Ahearne also doing well at midfield.

LIMERICK:B Scanlon; J McCarthy, P Browne, L O'Dwyer; S Lavin, J Riordan, P Ranahan; T Lee, P Kinnerk; E Barry, E O'Connor, S Buckley; G Collins (0-2), S O'Carroll (1-0), I Ryan (1-8, 0-7 frees). Subs: I Corbett for Barry (34 mins), J O'Meara for Kinnerk (48 mins), S Kelly (0-1) for O'Carroll (54 mins), J Cooke (0-1) for Lee (63 mins), S Lucey for Ranahan (68 mins).

WATERFORD:K Cotter; M O'Gorman, T O'Gorman, K Connery; W Hennessy, T Grey (0-2), S Briggs; S Ahearne (0-1), S O'Hare; P Hurney, S Dempsey, C O'Keeffe; T Prendergast, JJ Hutchinson (0-2), M Ferncombe (0-2). Subs: J Veale, P Whyte, S Fleming for Ferncombe, Dempsey and Hutchinson (all 60 mins).

Referee:C Lane (Cork).