Limerick's Comeback Earns Them A Replay

Munster Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Limerick 1-8 Waterford 0-11

By Denis O'Brien

Limerick out-fought and out-hurled Waterford in the second half of a poor Munster Hurling semi-final to earn a well deserved draw in a soggy affair at Semple stadium, Thurles.

The atrociously wet weather may not have helped things, particularly in the second half, but this was most definitely not your usual fire and brimstone Munster semi-final fare.

Both sides throughout were guilty of poor shooting and terrible first touches, a feature of the game.

Waterford led by 0-9 to 0-3 after a forgetful first half for Limerick, who lacked cohesion up front, never threatened the Waterford goal. At the other end, John Mullane was having a field day with four points harvested from debutant Stephen Walsh, while Eoin Kelly chipped in with four frees.

Conditions got significantly worse thereafter with a rainstorm belting down and it continued into the second half.

Sticky Limerick defender Damien Reale was given the task of marking Mullane for the second period and he helped his side's cause, jeeping the fiery ace scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Limerick then began to completely dominate Waterford's half forward line with Brian Geary, Mark Foley and sub Denis Moloney sending back everything that came their way.

Meanwhile, Ken McGrath was adrift at center forward and was later hauled ashore by Waterford manager, Dave Fitzgerald.

One might ask of the manager whether Ken should revert back to his center back slot and leave Michael 'Brick' Walsh to return to his midfield role?

McGrath didn't look happy in himself as he made his way to the line.

The score that put Limerick firmly back in the game came from impressive sub and full forward David Breen when he struck for a fine goal two minutes into the new half.

He had been set up brilliantly by fellow newcomer wing forward, James Ryan, who had fetched from the sky and then made a great run before finding Breen.

A much livelier Limerick were now winning every breaking ball and a pointed free from Niall Moran made it a two-point game.

Eoin Kelly who hardly saw the ball for the second half put over a much needed free for Waterford but it didn't stop Limerick who were now running rampant.

Points from Ryan, Moran, and Andrew O'Shaughnessey had Limerick level with six minutes left to play in the game.

Kelly edged Waterford ahead with a 67th minute free but Limerick were not to be denied when the impressive James Ryan landed the equalizing point to send this match to a replay.

Limerick defended brilliantly in the second half and held a tepid Waterford to only two scores in that period.

Seamus Hickey for Limerick did well in his new berth at midfield, an area that has been a problem for them, while Ryan, Moran and newcomer Breen were also impressive.

The latter should see game time in the replay set again for Thurles this weekend and, with more game-time, this fellow will impress as he did against Kilkenny in the league.

Waterford, eager to banish the memory of last September's All Ireland defeat to the Cats, looked to be in control in that first half but allowed Limerick to gain a foothold.

This latest setback will not do them any good and they desperately need to win the rematch and get back on track.

Teams & Scorers:
Limerick: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, M O'Riordan; S Walsh, B Geary, M Foley; D O'Grady, S Hickey (0-1): J Ryan (0-1), O Moran, N Moran (0-4, 0-2f); A O'Shaughnessy (0-1), J O'Brien, D Ryan. Subs: D. Breen (1-0) for O'Brien (30 mins); D. Sheehan for D. Ryan and D. Moloney (HT); P. Browne for O'Shaughnessy (68).
Waterford: C Hennessy; E Murphy, D Prendergast, N Connors; K Moran, M Walsh, A Kearney; S O'Sullivan, S Molumphy; S Prendergast (0-1), K McGrath, J Nagle; E McGrath, E Kelly (0-6f), J Mullane (0-4). Subs: D. Shanahan for E. McGrath (45 mins); T. Browne for O'Sullivan (65); G. Hurney for K. McGrath (65).
Referee: D. Kirwan (Cork)