Limerick finish strong to secure top three finish as Waterford and Tipperary crash out

DIFFERENCE MAKER: Limerick's Cian Lynch celebrates a score. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.

LIMERICK 2-29 WATERFORD 2-20

Goals by Peter Casey and Gearóid Hegarty in the space of a minute sealed an underwhelming win for Limerick and their place in the top three of the Munster senior hurling championship.

For the seventh time, Waterford failed to qualify from the provincial group stages but don’t read much into the scoreline: they went out on their shields here and were ahead on the hour mark.

The result in front of a 22,425 crowd in TUS Gaelic Grounds also confirmed 2025 All-Ireland champions Tipperary will have nothing to play for but pride when they visit here next Sunday.

A dull second half had produced just four points in 16 minutes and Limerick led by a point when Kevin Mahony struck his goal in the the 52nd minute. Dessie Hutchinson’s through ball wasn’t dealt with by Mike Casey and Mahony capitalised. Jack Prendergast backed it up with a point and three points split the sides.

Limerick had the gap down to one by the hour mark and then Casey and Hegarty struck for their goals and what was an awkward encounter for Limerick suddenly appeared a breeze.

Hegarty set up Casey who kicked the ball into space and then to the net. Hegarty’s strike seconds later was a mishit that foiled Billy Hogan. Limerick tagged on another seven points as Waterford wilted.

Shane Bennett, who helped himself to 1-6, struck the last score of the game with a penalty goal after Dan Morrissey had fouled substitute Austin Gleeson.

Waterford made this last hurrah without Stephen Bennett and Iarlaith Daly, who picked up injuries against Cork last weekend. Aaron O’Neill was a late absence to add to the list already including captain Conor Prunty and the Fitzgeralds, Patrick and Paudie.

With a one-week turnaround and Limerick having rested for two, a contest wasn’t widely expected but the first half certainly was that.

Although, it was all Limerick in the early stages. Nine points were scored in the opening six minutes, the first two from Limerick inside the opening minute and the first from Adam English after just seven seconds.

Cathal O’Neill and Aidan O’Connor were enjoying themselves and Shane O’Brien chipped in with his first point in the 15th minute to put four between the teams, 0-9 to 0-5.

It’s then when Limerick turned off and Waterford came to life, scoring the next six points. Their long-range shots were finding their range and Bennett picked off a couple of them.

Limerick’s middle third was passable and while Kyle Hayes broke the pattern in the 21st minute, Waterford hit the hosts for another four, three of them from Bennett, two from placed balls.

Cian Lynch was summoned from the bench just after the hour mark and made his presence felt early. Limerick hit back with five on the bounce including one from their captain and another for O’Brien that he created.

A Bennett free turned out to be the last score of the half although O’Connor had a goal attempt cleared off the line by Bennett in additional time.

Scorers for Limerick: A. O’Connor (0-8, 4 frees, 1 65); C. O’Neill (0-5); G. Hegarty, P. Casey (1-1 each); T. Morrissey, C. Lynch (0-3 each); A. English, S. O’Brien, D. O’Donovan (0-2 each); K. Hayes, D. Byrnes (free) (0-1 each).

Scorers for Waterford: S. Bennett (1-6, 1-0 pen, 3 frees); K. Mahony (1-3); C. Lyons (0-4); D. Hutchinson (0-2, 1 free); B. Nolan, J. Fagan, S. Walsh, J. Prendergast, A. Gleeson (0-1 each).

LIMERICK: N. Quaid; S. Finn, D. Morrissey, B. Nash; D. Byrnes, W. O’Donoghue (c), K. Hayes; A. English, D. O’Donovan; G. Hegarty, A. O’Connor, C. O’Neill; S. O’Brien, A. Gillane, P. Casey.

Subs: C. Lynch for A. English (31); M. Casey for S. Finn (48); T. Morrissey for S. O’Brien (52); D. Reidy for A. Gillane (60); C. Coughlan for B. Nash (temp, 67-ft).

WATERFORD: B. Nolan; C. Keane, P. Leavey, M. Fitzgerald (c); K. Bennett, T. de Búrca, J. Fagan; S. Mackey, J. Barron; J. Prendergast, C. Lyons, R. Halloran; D. Hutchinson, S. Walsh.

Subs: M. Kiely for J. Prendergast (temp, 27-28); M. Kiely for R. Halloran (h-t); D. Lyons for S. Mackey (43); A. Gleeson for S. Walsh (49); P. Curran for C. Lyons (65); J. Power for D. Hutchinson (67).

Referee: J. Owens (Wexford).