Clinical Déise cover all the angles
Eoin Kelly, Dan Shanahan and John Mullane coming back into contention for Waterford. James O’Brien back for Limerick.
And hanging over everything, that long-running stand-off on Shannonside between management and players.
We had a Division One NHL game as well, of course. Limerick had a goal inside twenty seconds thanks to Paudie McNamara’s neat catch and turn, and within six minutes they had another: Brian O’Sullivan dropped a ball into the square, and with McNamara distracting the Waterford defence, the ball went all the way to the net. Limerick 2-0, Wateford 0-1.
“That’s the second week in-a-row we’ve conceded early goals,” said Davy Fitzgerald after the game. “Mark (O’Brien) settled after that but he’s a good player (McNamara), good in the air. We just don’t need that kind of start. No team does. Caught with two sucker punches, the crowd gets a bit edgy ... but we settled after that.”
Waterford got on track thanks to the accuracy of Eoin Kelly and Kevin Moran’s industry, but were still two goals behind when the game changed decisively: matters came to a complete halt for almost a quarter of an hour halfway through the first half to allow the ambulance on to the field following a neck injury to Limerick goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn.
The break in play did nothing for Limerick’s concentration, and they failed to score for the rest of the half. Waterford made light of the disruption with points from Kelly (two) and Moran cutting Limerick’s lead to four.
The home defence was also getting on top as the half wore on, and with five minutes to the break Kelly goaled a 21-metre free. Moran added another point and the sides were level at the break – 1-7 to 2-4 – despite Limerick’s dream start.
“There were a few words,” said Fitzgerald of the half-time break. “Mainly I told them not to panic. We missed four or five goal chances and we’ve got to take those.”
They did after the break, with 1-3 in five minutes. The goal came courtesy of Shane Walsh flipping a Brian O’Driscoll-style offload to Kevin Moran, and the game was as good as over.
Limerick battled but Waterford could call on Seamus Prendergast and John Mullane to add cutting and class to their attack, and the home side weren’t flattered by a ten-point winning margin. They were able to rattle off 13 second-half scores and Limerick’s forwards found the going hard against an in-form Aidan Kearney and Jamie Nagle.
“This was probably our worst display of the league so far,” said Justin McCarthy.
“Our lads might have been a bit tired. I’m not making excuses but we trained hard during the week, and younger lads need to get used to that.
Fitzgerald has a visit from in-form Cork to look forward to next week: “If we play like that against Cork we’ll be well beaten. I’ve no illusions about that.”
McCarthy and his management team may face their biggest challenge in the committee room, given the Limerick County Board’s statement on Saturday night acknowledging the urgent need to arrange its next meeting.
Meanwhile Gary Hurney has withdrawn from the Waterford senior hurling panel. The big full-forward played two weeks ago against Galway in the Deise’s NHL defeat in Salthill but has now left the panel.
Waterford football boss John Owens may invite Hurney, a noted footballer, onto the county football panel.
*A minute’s silence was held in honour of the late Pat Fanning of Mount Sion and Waterford, former President of the GAA, who died yesterday.
Scorers for Waterford: E. Kelly 1-10 (0-5 fs, 0-1 65); K. Moran 1-2; M. Shanahan 0-3; R. Foley, S. Prendergast 0-2 each; J. Mullane 0-1.
Scorers for Limerick: B. O’Sullivan 1-1; T. O’Brien 0-4 (fs); P. McNamara 1-0; N. Quaid A. O’Connor 0-2 (fs) each; C. Mullane 0-1.
Subs: S. Prendergast for Connors, 25; J. Mullane for McGrath, HT; T. Ryan for Molumphy, 54; O. Whelan for S. Walsh, 64.
Subs: B. Hennessy for Flynn, 18; T. O’Brien for A. O’Connor, 32; P. Harty for Mullane, 47; R. McKeogh for Mulcahy, 64; M. Deegan for Madden, 70.
Referee: J. Ryan (Tipperary).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
