Limerick weather major storm to reach minor final

Limerick 0-15 Dublin 0-12

The Shannonsiders battered and bossed game Dublin at times but still found themselves behind for the first time turning into the closing nine minutes. But a lethal mix of skilful hurling and determination turned things around and left Limerick licking their lips at the prospect of a September 11 showdown with Galway.

“That was our season in a nutshell,” admitted manager Tim O’Connor when the dust settled on a famous victory that earned Limerick a place in their first minor final since they last won the title in 1984.

“We performed like that in a lot of matches,” said O’Connor. “We had to dig deep against Antrim, and no one gave either team any credit for what was a very fine game.

“From the day we played Waterford we have had to battle, battle, battle,” continued O’Connor. “But we have a tremendous bunch of young hurlers. This is great for Limerick hurling. I am thrilled.

“Sure, I saw the game going from us at one stage. I saw it going from us against Waterford and Antrim too, but we survived. These players don’t know what it is to give up.”

Limerick had opened the second half with a quick point from star defender, John Kelly to open up a 0-11 to 0-5 lead.

Then they allowed Dublin back into the match. A point from centre-back Tomas Brady was followed by a hat-trick of like scores from the flying Shane O’Rourke and another from Ross O’Carroll as the Leinster champions took total control. In the 44th minute, midfielder John McCaffrey landed the equaliser for the Dubs, and the momentum was well and truly with them.

When substitute Ciaran Twomey landed the lead point nine minutes from the end (0-12 to 0-11), Limerick look in serious trouble.

Again it was young Kelly who showed the way, landing the equaliser from a long range free. That lifted the whole team, and in an all action finish, Limerick claimed points through Bryan O’Sullivan and Eoin Ryan (two frees) to snatch a dramatic victory.

How Limerick got themselves into such a situation is hard to know, because they looked the better team for a long way, and in John Kelly, David Moloney, Michael Ryan, Seamus Hickey, Liam Hurley and Tom Condon had players of exceptional talent.

The winners opened so well you feared for Dublin. Within 90 seconds Kelly and Michael Ryan (2) had the white flag flying. By the 11th minute Eoin Ryan and Kelly had boosted the tally, and Dublin were still chasing their first score.

The losers eventually got off the mark in the 14th minute when Kevin O’Reilly converted a free after a Limerick defender held the ball too long. While Dublin got back to within two points of the opposition at one stage, they lost their way again. At the break the difference was 0-10 to 0-5 in Limerick’s favour, which was a pretty accurate reflection of how the exchanges had unfolded.

When the winners extended their lead to six points immediately after the interval, the game looked theirs for the taking. Dublin clearly didn’t read the script, but when a hard grind was needed at the finish, the young bucks from Shannonside had the appetite and ability to get through what was a severe test.

Scorers: Limerick: E. Ryan (0-6, five frees); J. Kelly (0-5, four frees, one 65); M. Ryan (0-2); B. O’Sullivan, D. Hanley (0-1 each). Dublin: J. Caffrey (0-3, one free); K. O’Reilly (0-3, frees); S. O’Rourke (0-3); T. Brady, C. Twomey, R. O’Carroll (0-1 each).

LIMERICK: G. Flynn; R. McCarthy, L. Hurley, T. Condon; J. Kelly, D. Moloney, G. O’Mahony, capt; S. Hickey, D. Moore; B. O’Sullivan, J. Ryan, D. Hanley; M. Ryan, E. Ryan, D. O’Sullivan.

Subs: R. Kennedy for Moore ht; S. Browne for R. McCarthy ht; G. Collins for D. O’Sullivan 51st min; G. Allis for R. Kennedy 55th min; D. O’Connor for M. Ryan 61st min.

DUBLIN: C. McCormack; R. Drumgoole, P. Callaghan, E. Walsh, capt; K. Dunne, T. Brady, C. Connolly; J. Boland, J. McCaffrey; S. O’Rourke, S. Casey, S. Durkin; R. O’Carroll, D. O’Dwyer, K. O’Reilly.

Subs: J. Maher for C. McCormack (inj) ht; C. Twomey for S. Casey ht; S. Murphy for K. O’Reilly 51st min.

Referee: T. McIntyre (Antrim).