Green goals flow to dump out Déise

THE GREENS aren’t just in cabinet.

Expect Limerick to empty on the first Sunday of September as the county’s hurling fans converge on Croke Park for an All-Ireland final date with Kilkenny, having beaten Waterford 5-11 to 2-15 yesterday.

The omens were bad for Waterford: the weekend began with the death of Déise hurling legend Tom Cheasty, for whom a minute’s silence was observed yesterday.

It ended in heartbreak as Limerick reversed the Munster final outcome with a hugely committed display.

Showing ferocious hunger, the Shannonsiders held a 10-point lead at one stage and even though Waterford pulled them back to a point, two late goals copper-fastened a Limerick victory.

Limerick wing-back Mark Foley said later: “We came in as underdogs and it was a step up for us to beat Waterford. With all due respect to Kilkenny it’ll be another step up with them, they’ve been there for the last few years and they’ll be justified favourites.” Waterford were bidding to make it to a final for the first time since 1963, and selector Michael Ryan articulated their heartbreak at the final whistle.

“We have no excuses to make. We played reasonably well, even though there are things we probably would have done better, but we’re proud of the way our lads fought all the way.”

It’s Limerick’s first All-Ireland hurling final since 1996, when they lost to Wexford. They had to survive a three-game marathon in the Munster championship with Tipperary, equalising with a last-second goal in the first of those matches.

Now they are just 70 minutes away from an All-Ireland title.