GAA: Late Limerick points seal it

Limerick 1-9 Waterford 2-5

The Tipperary official sent off two Waterford players wing-back Pat Fitzgerald and midfielder Andy Hubbard for second yellow card offences before playing almost seven minutes of injury-time.

Waterford manager Billy Harty made no attempt to hide his displeasure. "Of course we're disappointed, and we have every right to be,'' said Harty.

"When a team is down, it seems it never gets the breaks, and we certainly got very few of them out there today." Limerick, despite missing half-a-dozen regulars, and playing against the breeze, started in whirlwind fashion.

Though Gary Hurney pointed for Waterford in the 2nd minute, the visitors began to command, with a free from Gavin before Stephen Kelly pounced for a goal in the 7th minute following a superb stop by goalkeeper Paul Houlihan.

With former Mayo star Maurice Horan looking impressive on his debut, Limerick eased six points clear midway through the half.

But then came an amazing collapse as they failed to score for 30 minutes. Waterford, too, struggled in front of the posts, with Niall Curran landing the only score of the second quarter to leave his side five points adrift, (1-5 to 0-3) at the break.

Even the dismissal of wing-back Pat Fitzgerald in the 42nd minute didn't halt the Déise momentum and inside two minutes, the gap was narrowed to the minimum when Liam Ó Lonáin set up man-of the-match Shane Walsh for a wonderful goal.

Limerick ended their scoring drought with a Stephen Kelly point in the 45th minute followed by a neat effort from Gavin two minutes. It seemed the Shannonsiders had weathered the storm.

Back came Waterford, however. Andy Hubbard collected Walsh's pin-point pass with an equalising goal on 50 minutes. Five minutes later, Walsh put the home county in front with a great point.

But then came Hubbard's dismissal and with seven minutes of additional time, Limerick grabbed victory with points from Gavin and Keating.

Scorers for Limerick; M. Gavin (0-5, 0-3 frees); S. Kelly (1-1); T. Carroll, M. Horan, E. Keating(0-1) each. Waterford; S. Walsh(1-2); A. Hubbard(1-0); G. Hurney (0-2); N. Curran(0-1, free).

LIMERICK: S. O'Donnell; S. Burke. D. Sheehy. T. Stack; P. Browne. J. McCarthy. D. Reidy; J. Stokes. T. Carroll; S. Kelly. M. Gavin. C. Mullane; J. Murphy. M. Horan. E. Keating; Sub; P. Ahearn for Burke.

WATERFORD: P. Houlihan; J. Hurney. K. O'Keeffe, T. Dunphy; N. Hennessy. E. Rockett. P. Fitzgerald; A. Hubbard. W. Kavanagh; C. Watt. G. Hurney. L. O'Lonain; N. Curran. S. Walsh. S. Barron; Subs; J. Coffey for Barron; T. Costelloe for J. Hurney; J. Hearne for Dunphy.

Referee: Donie Cahill, Tipperary.