Waterford minors complete stunning comeback to keep Munster fairytale rolling

Waterford trailed Limerick by eight points at half-time but fought back to win by one

The Waterford minors made it three wins from three games in the Munster MFC to stamp their ticket to phase 2. Pic: Eddie Dee

Munster MFC round 3: Waterford 1-13 (1-2-9) Limerick 1-12 (1-2-8) 

Waterford’s sensational Munster Minor Football Championship fairytale continues. Limerick go out in Phase 1, courtesy of Clare’s late goal against Tipp in the other round 3 clash on Monday.

But the Treaty will leave with regret. They were eight points ahead at half-time in Lemybrien, but the Déise roared back to win by one, topping the table with three wins from three.

Two points on the resumption had Waterford back within six with 39 minutes played. Six minutes later that margin was one.

First, a sweeping move saw Peter Murray set up Theo Meagher for a brilliant goal brought the margin back to the three.

A 50-metre penalty gave Waterford a free two-point hit, which Dara Gough keenly slotted over. They would draw level after Liam O’Grady’s stunning orange flag in the 49th minute.

The visitors were feeling the squeeze, and the Waterford scores kept coming. By the 58th minute Waterford were two in front, but Tom Gavin hit back for Limerick in added time. The Shannonsiders pushed desperately to find an opening for an equalising effort, but Limerick could not find a way through, and the Déise minors stamped their ticket to Phase 2.

The opening period had been all Limerick. Conor O’Dwyer ran the show from half-back. He raised four white flags in the opening period alone, while Charlie McCarthy kicked a couple of brilliant two-pointers, leaving them 0-9 to 0-2 ahead after 24 minutes.

Even as Waterford landed a few scores before the break, Limerick would have the final say of the half, Hogan setting up Brooklyn Delahunty for a goal to leave the half-time margin at eight.

But Waterford’s second-half surge hit them hard, and Limerick fell short.

Scorers for Waterford: D Gough (0-6, 1 tpf, 0-2 f), T Meagher (1-1), L O’Grady (tp), A McMaugh (0-2 each), C Kelly, C Smyth (0-1 each).

Scorers for Limerick: C McCarthy (0-5, 2 tp, 0-1 f), C O’Dwyer (0-4), B Delahunty (1-0), E Hogan, O Stokes, T Gavin (0-1 each).

WATERFORD: J Sheehan (Kilgobinet); A McManus (Tramore), J Skehan (Rathgormack), C Power (Portlaw); S Healy (Geraldines), A O'Donnell (Brickey Rangers), L O'Grady (Gaultier); T Meagher (Portlaw), T Walsh (The Nire); E Bloomer (Gaultier), A McMaugh (The Nire), P Murray (Rathgormack, jc); D Gough (Stradbally), R Hallahan (Dungarvan, jc), R Kirwan (Rathgormack).

Subs: C Smyth (Tramore) for Hallahan (HT), C Johnston (Gaultier) for Bloomer (37), C Kelly (Geraldines) for Murray (49), E Keane (Stradbally) for Healy (55), C Kiely (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty) for Power (60+1).

LIMERICK: D Ryan (Na Piarsaigh); L McDermott (Monaleen), A Murphy (Fr Casey’s), R Conneely (Ballybricken/Bohermore); C O’Dwyer (Rathkeale), E Murnane (Camogue Rovers, c), R O'Dwyer (Monaleen); C Murphy (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), J McAuliffe (Fr Caseys); C Barry (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), J Moynihan (Monaleen), S O'Flynn (Dromcollogher/Broadford); C McCarthy (Adare), E Hogan (Mungret/St Paul’s), B Delahunty (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan) 

Subs: O Stokes (Dromcollogher/Broadford) for Barry (45), T Gavin (Monaleen) for Delahunty (46), K McNamara (Ahane) for Moynihan (48), C Lonergan (Ballylanders) for C Murphy (50-59, temp).

Referee: B Crowley (Cork)