Half-forwards make the difference for Galway

Galway 0-22 Limerick 2-14

With their half-forwards on song, Galway edged out Limerick in a thrilling Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland U-21 Hurling semi-final at Thurles tonight.

Their half-forward line of Barry Daly, Tadhg Haran and Niall Burke scored 17 points between them as they sent the Munster champions packing in their first outing in this year's Championship.

The young Tribesmen managed to do so despite having wing back Rory Fox dismissed in the 54th minute. He was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Shane Dowling.

Limerick supporters wondered at the end why Dowling was told to try for goal when a point was there for the taking, which would have left only one between them as the game edged into stoppage time.

Limerick captain Kevin Downes, a doubtful starter all week because of a hand injury, took his place at full-forward. But he was unable to make an impact and was replaced two minutes before the interval by Mark Carmody.

However, credit must got to Galway full-back Niall Donoghue who, despite being on a yellow card from the 38th minute onwards, put in a superb performance.

A pointed free from Dowling had Limerick in front inside a minute. Haran notched Galway's opening score to level the game and having swapped points, Galway then took a grip on proceedings.

They reeled off successive points from Burke, Haran (free) and Daly to put three between the sides. Yet, the Shannonsiders hit back in style with the only goal of the half when Dowling hit a cracker past net minder Jamie Ryan.

Galway were posing a major threat to the Limerick defence and Pat Begley was having a torrid time against a variety of opponents who frequently dragged the towering Limerick full-back out of possession. But he played solidly throughout.

Centre-forward Burke was in sparkling form for Galway and finished the half with five points from play, helping his side take a 0-14 to 1-9 lead into the break. Free-taker Haran was on target on four occasions.

Limerick began the second half in style with a superb point by Hannon inside a minute. Dowling was then hauled down by Donoghue and referee Anthony Stapleton had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which Dowling drove high into the Galway net.

With the Connacht outfit in front 0-21 to 2-12, Carmody missed a gilt-edged goal chance. He failed to connect when all alone in front of goal and Ryan cleared the danger.

That effectively ended Limerick's hopes as Galway battled on to reach the final for the second year in-a-row.

It was the sixth time that these two sides had met, and the result marked was Galway's second success against a brave Limerick side who hit eight wides in all.

GALWAY: J Ryan; D Connolly, N Donoghue, G O'Halloran; J Grealish, P Gordon, R Fox; J Coen, D Burke (0-1); B Daly (0-4), N Burke (0-7), T Haran (0-6, 0-4f); J Regan (0-1), C Cooney (0-1), D Glennon (0-1).

Subs used: B Burke (0-1) for Cooney (45 mins), D Fox for Haran (57).

LIMERICK: A Murphy; A Dempsey, P Begley, S O'Reilly; J O'Brien, C Hayes, T O'Callaghan; C Allis (0-1), S O'Brien (0-1); N Kennedy (0-1), D Hannon (0-5, 0-2f), S Dowling (2-4, 0-2f); M Ryan, K Downes, G Mulcahy (0-1).

Subs used: M Carmody for Downes (28 mins), K O'Donnell (0-1) for Kennedy (48), W Griffin for Ryan (49), B O'Connell for Dempsey (50).

Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois).