Player ratings: Hegarty and O'Donoghue power Limerick past Waterford
Gearóid Hegarty scored 1-1 and and assisted at least another 1-1 as Limerick beat Waterford in the Munster SHC. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Could have done little about Kevin Mahony’s goal. Second ball off his short restarts encountered some turbulence in the second period, but that was the fault of his defenders, not Quaid’s.
Dessie Hutchinson was his detail. Limited this particular Déise threat to a single first-half point. Produced two notable intercepts in the opening half, the first of which denied a potential Waterford goal chance when reading well Séan Mackey’s low pass across the large parallelogram. Another successful cleaning up operation on 35 minutes ended with a Shane O’Brien point. Injury cut short his afternoon on 48 minutes.
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His first start since March 1. No rustiness was apparent. Limerick’s fifth point was rooted in him being out in front of Seán Walsh for an incoming delivery. He was again first out to possession a few plays later. Loose clearance resulted in a Jack Prendergast point immediately after Kevin Mahony's goal, gifting further momentum to the visitors.
Will have been disappointed with the two points Kevin Mahony took off him in the first-half. Dessie Hutchinson had become his assignment when the aforementioned Mahony struck green midway through the second half. One of his quieter afternoons in green.
Waterford’s preference to feed Calum Lyons on the right flank meant Byrne's side of the house enjoyed a quiet opening half. More prominent in the second period. Was successful with only one of three frees and off target with both efforts from play.
Same as Hayes, he struggled when the roving and ravenous Calum Lyons came into his orbit in the opening half. The two Limerick half-backs both shared culpability for Lyons’ first-half 0-4. O’Donoghue was superb in the pocket upon the change of ends. Reading of play was exemplary. Also blocked down a Shane Bennett point attempt.
His 21st minute point couldn’t compensate for a first-half where Lyons had the better of his company and he also overcarried for a Shane Bennett converted free. His second period contribution was tighter, including an important dispossession of a through-the-middle Mikey Kiely charge. As with most Limerick defenders, he’s delivered more assured Sundays.
Two points inside the opening four minutes made a mockery of the later fact that he’d be the first Limerick hurler whipped off after only 31 minutes. He also produced a fine win on a Nickie Quaid restart that set in train Limerick’s seventh point. But a yellow card, two wides, and waning involvement in the second quarter contributed to his withdrawal.
Two points in Limerick’s final quarter unanswered 2-8 bore his initials. Up to that juncture, his most effective work had been much further back, mopping up loose possession and setting Limerick on the move. His first-team status appears untouchable.
Him being easily blocked down on 16 minutes - a turnover that ended in a Waterford point - spoke to Limerick’s first-half casualness. There was nothing casual about his contribution when wrestling the result in Limerick’s favour in the final quarter. He scored 1-1. He assisted at least another 1-1. He won two frees, one of which was converted.
Aidan O’Connor tears through the middle before slipping it to Gearóid Hegarty… and the big man buries it to the net! 🥅 #LIMvWAT pic.twitter.com/JOMx3nkXTl
— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 17, 2026
His being bested in the first-half scoring duel and contest for overall influence with marker Shane Bennett was settled in injury-time when the Waterford No.7 got his body in the way of the Limerick centre-forward’s goal drive. Bennett’s count from play and long-range frees was greater than O’Connor’s, the latter sending wide the second free he stood over. Spent much of the second-half in the inside line. His charge paved the way for Limerick’s second and sealing goal.
Had three white flags raised by the 11th minute. His impact switched to the main stand side at the end of the half when striking back-to-back points early in the five-in-a-row sequence. Didn’t need to add to his tally in the second period to still emerge as Limerick’s top-scorer from play.
Bar assisting a Kyle Hayes point, Casey cut a subdued and peripheral first-half figure. Was fouled on the hour-mark for a converted Aidan O’Connor free. His next involvement was to finish the goal that propelled Limerick in front and turbo-started their driving finish.
Two first-half points. His attempt to stretch that tally to 0-3 early in the second-half resulted in a 65 that Aidan O’Connor swung over. Far from his wrecking best, though. First Limerick forward to depart on 52 minutes.
His first start since April 5. Rustiness was apparent. Didn’t have a first shot at Billy Nolan’s posts until the 25th minute. Anything that had landed into his Eircode prior to that had been dealt with by Paddy Leavey. Assisted a Cathal O’Neill minor later in the half. Subbed off on the hour-mark without a score to his name. A first scoreless championship outing? He didn't score when introduced as a sub in the 2017 Munster defeat to Clare, while Sunday, May 17 represented his first time starting a championship game and failing to raise a flag.
In the few first-half minutes he was on the field, had a wide, a point, an assist, and a turnover. Instant impact from the captain. Added two more white flags in the second-half.
was out in front for the Waterford goal but failed to control possession and allowed the ball squirm past him to put Kevin Mahony in the clear. Fouled Austin Gleeson for the Shane Bennett converted injury-time penalty. crammed three points into his 23 minutes or so on the field. David Reidy won a free upon his introduction, while Colin Coughlan assisted Lynch’s second point.
Not as eye-catching as his previous three performances, but landed a monster point and showed good distribution for a handful of scores. Unfortunate for both goals, with the ball diverted past his advance for the first.
Did well on breaks to keep Peter Casey off the ball for much of his first championship start. Got in a diving block on Shane O’Brien and won a pointed free. Unlucky to be booked for going high on Gearóid Hegarty. 7.
Won a couple of relieving frees and kept a close watch on Shane O’Brien, but was intercepted for the first goal and his despairing flick ended up teeing up Gearóid Hegarty’s second.
Has evolved from Waterford’s defensive shield to a distinguished man-marker. Bowled over Aaron Gillane to win an early ball and ended up holding him scoreless until the forward’s exit on the hour.
A fine contribution by the wing-back of 1-6 from eight shots, with 1-3 from placed balls, including one he was fouled for. His points from play were stylish efforts with two slotted off the hurley and even prevented an Aidan O’Connor goal with his head.
Blocked down a casual Gearóid Hegarty effort and mopped up some ball, but guilty of a couple of sloppy passes himself, which were punished for Aidan O’Connor and Cathal O’Neill points.
Battled well with Hegarty until the wing-forward was moved nearer to the square. A good flick led to a Calum Lyons point and he assisted two more for Shane Bennett, while slotting one of his own.
Busy between being fouled for Adam English’s yellow card and helping to force Aaron Gillane into overcarrying, but also gave a few misplaced passes and couldn’t gather the ball prior to the second goal.
Assisted a Calum Lyons point, but a poor pass to William O’Donoghue triggered his exit in the 43rd minute.
Missed two frees, including one from long range, and a threatening run ended down a dead end. Blocked down Nickie Quaid, but the keeper recovered possession. Off at half-time.
Started at centre-forward and ended up on the right wing. Always an option for puck-outs and slotted four first-half points before his accuracy waned after the break and was replaced.
BONDI BEACH ➡️ GAELIC GROUNDS
— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 17, 2026
Shane Bennett with a huge block, and Calum Lyons gets the shot off to bring Waterford level for the first time 💥 #LIMvWAT pic.twitter.com/RzZwh3xp78
Came up with some good ruck ball and landed a point. Briefly off on a blood sub.
Got Waterford off the mark, but his only other point was a free. Gave the ball in for Kevin Mahony’s goal. Booked for a late clip on Darragh O’Donovan and replaced late on.
Well handled by Dan Morrissey, his highlight was an eye-of-a-needle point threaded over from the tighest of angles. Replaced in the 49th minute.
Kept Barry Nash pinned close to goal and tallied 1-3, getting inside Mike Casey for the goal, which was tidily finished past Nickie Quaid. His points were hard-earned too.
KEVIN MAHONYYYYYY
— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 17, 2026
The Ballygunner clubman reads it perfectly to rattle the net for Waterford 💪 #LIMVWAT pic.twitter.com/BLljD66eCR
Austin Gleeson nailed a sideline, was fouled for the penalty, got booked, and assisted a point. Michael Kiely and Darragh Lyons mucked in around the middle, but the game eventually turned against them.
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