Marksman Murphy guides Waterford to opening Munster MHC win over Limerick

Waterford boss Darragh O'Sullivan. Pic: Inpho.

Munster MHC: Limerick 1-14 Waterford 1-17 

Dylan Murphy’s incredible shooting display was largely the difference as Waterford commenced the 2026 Munster Minor hurling campaign with a tense victory over Limerick on Shannonside.

Murphy’s perfect 10 points as well as a goal from Cian Delaney helped tip the scales their way as they survived five minutes of stoppage time as Limerick hunted a game levelling goal.

Darragh O’Sullivan’s starting XV was spread across 15 clubs, with Darragh Murphy, Dylan Murphy and Andrew Power all hoping to carry their experience from last year. 

Those three were part of the All-Ireland success last season, with Darragh Murphy a starter in the success over Clare.

For Limerick, they have had their struggles at minor level in recent times. Last winners of Munster in 2020, under Diarmuid Mullins, the Treaty have re-installed Mullins for this season.

It was Dylan Murphy, from Roanmore, who lit up this on the Ennis Road. 

His seven first-half points included four from play. Also on the mark were impressive Ronan Molumphy and Cian Delaney.

Gavin O’Brien, younger brother of senior star Shane, profited on a poor Waterford clearance to reopen the two-point lead after thirteen minutes. Scores from free taker Shane Waters kept this even.

The final act of the half saw O’Brien whip to the net, after a dropping shot from Zach Bennis came down off the post. It was a poacher’s goal, similar to Aaron Gillane’s at the same venue a fortnight ago.

That meant it was 1-8 to 0-11 at half-time, with the sides also level on wides, three apiece. It was the fifth time there was parity in the opening half.

1,329 paid into the Gaelic Grounds on an evening where hail showers greeted the players with some frequency. That made the second half less free-flowing, and each score was a touch harder to come by.

Jack Mullally and then Murphy, put Waterford two up by the 37th minute but Jack Roche finished off a run from deep in his own half. However, Ballyduff’s Molumphy knocked over his fourth from the next play.

Rian Horgan was denied Limerick’s second green flag by a decent Mikey Ware save on 41 minutes with Roche satisfied with a point on the follow-up. This was punished with Waterford’s maiden goal three minutes later.

A dropping free wasn’t dealt with and this allowed Cian Delaney the space to pull to the net. 

Both Eamon O’Sullivan and Diarmuid Crowe were both inches away from goals in the final ten minutes for Limerick, but they trailed by five, with Waterford looking for Murphy and Molumphy in attack at every opportunity.

The Deise held on, despite the Treaty onslaught with huge cheers at the whistle to mark the two points.

Scorers for Limerick: S Waters (0-7; 0-7 frees); G O’Brien (1-1); J O’Riordan, E O’Sullivan, J Roche (0-2 each).

Scorers for Waterford: Dylan Murphy (0-10; 0-3 frees); C Delaney (1-1); R Molumphy (0-4); J Mullally, J Walsh (0-1 each).

Limerick: S Collins; R Collins, W Ryan, D Horgan; K O’Neill, E Hennessy, J O’Riordan; S Waters (C), J Roche; D Crowe, X Neligan, Z Bennis; G O’Brien, E O’Sullivan, R Horgan.

Subs: R Foley for Bennis (half-time); C Butler for O’Neill (43); C Ryan for O’Riordan (56). 

Waterford: M Ware; L Fitzgerald, D Murphy, D Sullivan; J Walsh, A Power, E Walsh; S Coffey, A Cummins; C Delaney, R Ryan Molumphy, F Geoghegan; J Mullally, D Murphy, L Mac Fhlannchadha.

Subs: M Moloney for Mullally (43).

Referee: C Ryan (Tipperary)