Second half show earns Limerick Munster 'B' glory

Munster Council Chairman Ger Ryan presenting Limerick captain Aaron Neville with the John Kerins Cup. Pic: Eamon Doody

Munster U20 B football championship final: Limerick 2-10 Waterford 1-5 

Limerick closed out in style to claim victory in the inaugural EirGrid Munster U20 'B' football championship final at Mallow on Wednesday night.

This new competition for the third and fourth placed teams in Phase 1 provided another welcome opportunity for these players to showcase their talents, and giving it additional prestige was the presentation of the John Kerins Cup to the winners.

Pre-match favourites Limerick trailed by four points at the change of ends (1-4 to 0-3) after Waterford put it up to them, but it was their impressive second half that saw them romp home. A pair of goals from captain Aaron Neville in the 50th and 54th minute was pivotal for Shane Kelly’s side.

The win bridged a gap since Limerick won the Munster 'A' championship in 2000.

The first half began with a brace of white flags for the winners from Darragh Murray and Ronan Quirke, the Shannonsiders forced to line out minus Emmett Rigter who played championship with the seniors on Sunday.

While Waterford, with the wind, didn’t register until the 13th minute, they settled when a Sam Pender point was swiftly followed by a goal from the Roanmore forward, his delivery deceiving goalkeeper Craig Macinnes.

Midway through the half, they moved 1-2 to 0-2 thanks to Rory Fennell.

They increased their advantage through a Pender free.

However, they also kicked eight wides in that opening half - six to Limerick - which would prove costly.

Darragh Murphy, with a fantastic solo effort, left the Déise with a 1-4 to 0-2 cushion.

Limerick, not scoring since the eighth minute, closed with a Ronan Quirke free to leave it 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Limerick were a different team in the second half reeling off five unanswered points - the pick of which came from Conall Ó Dúinn (after a splendid attacking move), Ronan Quirke, and the influential Darragh Murray to regain the lead at the end of the third quarter, 0-8 to 1-4.

At this time, Waterford were reduced to 14 men when Rory Fennell was black-carded - a blow to their chances.

It was soon after that Neville struck for the two green flags.

They outhit their opponents 2-7 to 0-1 in an awesome second half - the Waterford flag not arriving until two minutes from time from Mikey O’Brien.

And Limerick have plenty more to play for as they will now go on to contest the All-Ireland series.

Scorers for Limerick: A Neville (2-0), R Quirke (0-4, 0-2 frees), D Murray (0-3), J McCarthy (’45), C Ó Dúinn and D Hynes (free) (0-1 each).

Scorers for Waterford: S Pender (1-2, 0-1 free), M O’Brien, R Fennell and D Murphy (0-1 each).

LIMERICK: C Macinnes (Cappagh); C O’Connell (Ahane), J Hassett (Mungret St Paul’s), P Downey (Oola); J Whelan (Newcastle West), J Somers (Mungret St Paul’s), M Kilbridge (Fr Casey’s); D Murray (Monaleen), J McCarthy (St Patrick’s); S O’Brien (St Senan’s), A Neville (Newcastle West, Capt), S Cross (St Patrick’s); R Quirke (Fr Casey’s), M Fahy (Dromcollogher Broadford), C Ó Dúinn (Monaleen).

Subs: J Behan (Ballybrown) for J Somers (half-time), D Hynes (Mungret St Paul’s) for S Cross (38), B Smith (Ballybrown) for S O’Brien, O Woulfe (Fr Casey’s) for M Fahy (both 50), P Murphy (Ballysteen) for C O’Connell (55).

WATERFORD: C Moore (Ardmore); R O’Connell (Portlaw), S Byrne (Gaultier), D Behan (Kilrossanty); C Sloan (Gaultier), D Butler (Colligan), T Martin (Gaultier, Capt); M O’Brien (Stradbally), M O’Sullivan (The Nire); M Power (Colligan), R Fennell (Stradbally), D Murphy (Fenor); S O’Rourke (Ballyduff Lower), S Pender (Roanmore), L Ó Siothcháin (An Rinn).

Subs: T Fennell (Stradbally) for M Power (45), S Power (Kilrossanty) for D Behan (48), O Brazil (Abbeyside Ballinacourty) for D Murphy (52), F Dwyer (Abbeyside Ballinacourty) for S Pender (61).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers, Cork).