Waterford Bests Gallant Limerick At Thurles

Munster SHC Final
Waterford 3-17
Limerick 1-14

By Dermot Kavanagh National League champions and pre-match favorites Waterford justified their status with a 9-point win over a gallant Limerick at Thurles on Sunday.

Munster Final Day at Thurles has long been regarded as the day that fully and unequivocally epitomizes what the GAA is all about.

A capacity crowd of 48,371 hurling folk mingling in a carefree but passionate manner, an immaculate playing surface and two teams that had more then justified their right to be present.

Only the weather man refused to co-operate, but his intransigence didn't spoil an illuminating afternoon.

Apart from the obvious one as to who would win, the fixture also posed some other pertinent questions.

Would Limerick's exertions in the Tipperary trilogy prove fatal in a close finish, or could a Waterford defense, that conceded 3-18 against Cork in the semi-final improve sufficiently to hold out against a Limerick attack that scored freely in all 3 semi-final games.

The second question was almost and should have been answered within the first 4 minutes when two free flowing Limerick attacks exposed Waterford's defense, but neither Begley nor Foley were sufficiently skilful to avail of either gilt edge chance.

However with a few minutes Begley atoned for his miss by steering a Brian Begley 65 into the net for the goal.

To the credit of Waterford's defense not once in the remaining 60 minutes did they provide Limerick with such goal scoring opportunities.

That Limerick did not raise another green flag is testament to Waterford's defense work. The difficult weather conditions did not allow for classy stick work, but nonetheless the first half was not without its moments.

Both goalkeepers stood up manfully and successfully to close in attempts. There was some brilliant defending but of more enjoyment to neutrals such as this Observer was the quality of the point scoring.

Some successful attempts by Shanahan, Mullane, Molumphy, Fitzgerald and O'Grady were worthy of any sporting occasion.

Waterford, despite playing with the benefit of the breeze, and at times driving rain would not have been happy with their overall first half performance.

Their halftime lead of 0-9 to 1-5 didn't appear sufficient given all the advantages that Limerick would enjoy in the second half.

Limerick began the second half confidently and within six minutes had swept into a two-point lead with points from Fitzgerald and Tobin, (1-8 to 0-9).

Further points were exchanged before the games first turning point occurred in the 50th minute.

Following a brilliant save by the Limerick keeper from a Flynn rasper Shanahan was available to ram the ball home for the lead (1-11 to 1-9).

Limerick replied with points on three separate occasions but Waterford points from Mullane twice and Kelly immediately canceled each point.

With Kelly operating successfully as a third midfielder Waterford began to dominate the area.

The play became somewhat loose to the absolute benefit of the Waterford attack.

Thus in the 63rd minute the game was won and lost as Shanahan availed of an inch perfect pass from team captain Walsh to shoot past Murray from close range.

There was no way back for Limerick as Waterford surged forward relentlessly to add a further 1-3 to their total in the final minutes.

There is no doubt but that the better team won, even though there was not a nine-point gap between them.

Waterford have now added a ruthless element to their play. They are competent in most areas of the field and absolutely lethal in others.

The management team seems capable of mending problems when they occur without disrupting the team effort.

It could be said that they halved the first period but clearly won the second; scoring an impressive three goals and eight points against driving wind and rain.

The answer to the first question posed earlier in these words was emphatically answered.

Limerick can have no complaints except the extent of the final margin of defeat.

Once again wayward shooting, particularly in the third quarter was their undoing.

One wonders why they persist in attempting long-distance scores when they have the imposing presence of Brian Begley on the edge of the square.

They are not yet the finished article, but they are not that far off.