'We have to improve': Limerick boss aware of challenge as Tipperary await in All-Ireland MHC final

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: Limerick manager Diarmuid Mullins speaks to his players. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile.

All-Ireland MHC semi-final: Limerick 1-26 Galway 1-15

After suffering two defeats to Tipperary during the Munster Minor Hurling Championship, Limerick will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky when they meet in the All-Ireland final.

Limerick booked their place in the minor hurling championship showpiece - their first since 2016 - with a convincing 1-26 to 1-15 win over Galway on Saturday evening in Ennis.

Shane Waters, Rian Horgan and Xavier Nelligan all stood out for the winners, combining for an impressive 1-16.

“Tipperary are a very good team, we think that we did certain things really well in the Munster final. We were a bit short that day so we are going to have to improve again and that’s going to be the challenge for us to see can we improve. I think the lads are doing everything right to try and be as good as they can,” said Limerick minor hurling manager Diarmuid Mullins.

“We're delighted obviously, we came down wanting to get to the final and it didn't really matter if we won by a point or won a bit more convincingly.

"The big thing today was the lads really expressed themselves and played very, very well.

“It's great, but look, we've another game now in a couple of weeks' time so we'll have to prepare for that, but really this evening it's just the 37 lads who've been really well prepared by our coaches, Ger (Kelleher), Brian Sexton, Jodie (Hannon), Tom Murphy, Liam Reale and Mikey Kiely helping out in terms of the S&C, they've just been well prepared and they should enjoy this evening now, it's great success for them."

The Shannonsiders raced into a 1-6 to 0-3 lead after the opening quarter after a goal from Xavier Neligan gave Limerick an early foothold in this encounter. Mullins’ side quickly took control and went in six in front at the break leading 1-12 to 0-9.

“We were happy enough at half time. Maybe in the third quarter against Clare (in the All-Ireland quarter-final), Clare came back into the game so we were just conscious of that. Slight breeze against us but I thought we got some good scores.

"We actually missed a couple of scores that we could have got as well. I think 1-26 is good scoring. We kept that distance between ourselves and Galway; that kind of made the last ten minutes comfortable enough.”

John O’Riordan extended the lead after the restart, while two Michael Coen frees offered Galway some hope. However, with Limerick leading 1-14 to 0-11, they quickly regained complete control.

Bennis, Waters and Nelligan all added white flags to stretch the advantage to eight points, effectively ending Galway’s challenge. Limerick continued to dominate the closing stages, with Waters, Foley, O’Sullivan, Horgan, Diarmuid Crowe and Josh Ross O’Reilly all getting on the scoresheet.

A late goal from Gus Lohan provided Galway with consolation, but it did little to alter the outcome. Limerick’s superior intensity, accuracy and work rate ultimately proved decisive.

Meanwhile, Galway minor hurling manager Kenneth Burke admitted their four week lay off between the Leinster final and this encounter did play a factor.

“It probably is, your match sharpness probably isn’t where it needs to be, you’re just that little bit off it competitive wise. You can play in house games and all that but it’s not championship pace really. It’s just that little bit below it, where you are playing opposition that are going to kill you for the ball,” said Burke.

“We created chances but just didn’t take them, they took all their chances and punished us every time. We had a few chances there after half time to bring it back to two or three points.

"It’s probably a different mindset going down the last ten minutes if you are only two or three points down. It’s very difficult to keep going when you are eight or nine points down and you’re not playing that well.

"If you were playing and creating chances you would have a chance. It’s frustrating; what can you do? Limerick performed better on the day."

Scorers for Galway: M Coen (0-5, 0-4 frees), G Lohan 1-1, A Poinard and T Mac Cárthaigh 0-3 each, E McLearn and 0-2, K Boyle 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: S Waters (0-9, 0-6 frees),R Horgan 0-5, X Nelligan 1-2, E O’Sullivan 0-3, R Foley and Z Bennis 0-2 each, J O’Riordan, D Crowe and JR O’Reilly 0-1 each.

GALWAY: M Walsh (Carnmore); J Cahill (Craughwell), D O’Shaughnessy (Turloughmore), E Whyte (Craughwell); C Donoghue (Clarinbridge), C Lynskey (Liam Mellows), U Leen (Craughwell); E McLearn (Loughrea), J Egan (Oranmore Maree); E Huban (Kinvara), G Lohan (Captain, Oranmore Maree) T McAdam (Carnmore); M Coen (Clarinbridge), T Mac Cárthaigh (Sarsfields), A Poinard (Athenry).

Subs: C O’Neill for Lynskey (24), C Power (Tommy Larkins) for Huban (37), D Dillon (Kilnadeema Leitrim) for Egan (42), C Larkin (Killimor) for Coen (47), J McMahon for Leen (55), K Boyle for McAdam (55).

LIMERICK: S Collins (Crecora-Manister); R Collins (Adare), W Ryan (Murroe Boher), S Mitchell (Knockainey); J O’Riordan (Bruff), C Ryan (Monaleen), E Hennessy (Patrickswell); X Nelligan (Kilmallock), J Roche (Blackrock); D Crowe (Doon), R Foley (Patrickswell), S Waters (Na Piarsaigh); E O’Sullivan (Adare), Z Bennis (Kildimo Pallaskenry), R Horgan (Murroe Boher).

Subs: P Collins (Tournafulla) for Roche (45), G O’Brien (Kilmallock) for Bennis (56), D Horgan (Murroe Boher) for Ryan (56), JR O’Reilly (Ballybrown) for Foley (56), C Hickey (Crecora Manister) for Nelligan (57).

Referee: Peter Owens (Down).