Limerick through to third U21 consecutive final

Limerick 2-20, Antrim 2-06 (full-time)

Defending champions Limerick are into their third consecutive All-Ireland U21 hurling final after disposing of Antrim easily at Parnell Park.

The Shannonsiders led from the off and eventually won by 14 points, the free-taking of Mark Keane and skill and accuracy of Eoin Foley proving too much for the Northern minnows.

Mark Keane and Conor Fitzgerald got Limerick off the mark before the Northerners registered a score.

Further scores from Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Kevin Tobin, coupled with two frees from Mark Keane, saw Limerick roar ahead but a shock goal by Antrim's Sean Delargy saw the Northerners back in the game midway through the half as the lead was cut to two points.

The sides exchanged two points apiece before Kevin Tobin again edged Limerick ahead to see Limerick lead 0-09 to 1-03 at the break.

The champions ran away with the game in the second-half as a succession of unanswered scores, including goals from Mark Keane and Eoin Foley, saw them charge ahead to 2-18 to 1-05.

A consolation goal by the captain in the dying moments was too late for Antrim to mount a challenge and they eventually succumbed to a 14-point defeat.