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Waterford are Munster Champions for the third time in six years after a thrilling win in Semple Stadium in Thurles in front 49,000.
GUINNESS MUNSTER SHC FINAL
Waterford 3-17 Limerick 1-14
In conditions that were more of a mixture of a July and a November ,with incessant rain throughout the game interspersed with searing heat from the encroaching sun,both teams served up a thriller to belie the conditions.
The first half was, starting with Limerick getting the better of the Decies with a goal by Brian Begley after seven minutes. The Limerick crowd went into hysterics ,sensing would this be their day of glory.Limerick played with a dogged determination for the majority of the match and had the Waterford men absolutely rattled, using the word a supporter mentioned next to me,during the course of the game.Limerick bodies were placed on the line,with every challenge that occurred throughout the first half in particualar.The three matches with Tipp had served them well ,as defeat was not an option .
Tempers flared at times but it never totally boiled over,it was tough ,hard game with each challenge contested uncermiously but within the rules of the game.The Waterford team always looked threatening but some fabulous fielding from the Limerick defence kept the Deise attackers to a tally of just nine points at half time,all credit to the defence in the absence of key player Damien Reale.. Limerick went in at the break one point down having not scored since the 23rd minute.
Limerick returned for the second half and it looked like they were gaining a foothold in this epic battle when they added two points. The course of the game changed dramatically after that with what seemed like every Waterford player stood up and took charge of this match
.Limerick seemed to lose the run of the game,personally I would think that the three matches taken its toll as this sometimes leads to a faitigue syndrome.Waterford began to take complete control and exposed Limerick.
The course of the game changed in the last 20 mins of the second half when it became the Dan Shanahan show with a personal score of 3-3 to end Limerick hopes.A comical moment was when a stray dog encroached on to the Thurles sod,I heard one supporter say it was Tipp one! Sent in by Babs ,there is always a comedian in a crowd.Up stepped John Mullane who was having none it and escorted the stray dog off the pitch.
A fantastic save by Brian Murray in the Limerick goal from point blank range but his deflection was parried in by Big Dan the Man as they say in Waterford.Space began to appear and Waterford exploited it all the way to the final whistle.
Limerick introduced subs, in the form of the Tobins, Kevin and Pat, and they played their part in a mini-comeback, striking three points between them, but in the end it was the men from Waterford who emerged victorious with nine points to spare.
The maragin of victory was flattering as Limerick did play magnificently to make it contest.For Waterford another trophy to add to the League one this year,will they make it three with the Liam McCarthy.Limerick now look forward to a place in the Quarter Finals.
WATERFORD: C Hennessy; A Kearney, K Moran, E Murphy, T Browne, D Prendergast, K McGrath (0-1, f) , M Walsh (capt), S Molumphy (0-2) , S Prendergast (0-1), D Shanahan (3-3), P Flynn (0-3, 1f) , J Mullane (0-2), E Kelly (0-4, 2f) , J Kennedy (E McGrath, 0-1)
LIMERICK: B Murray; M O' Riordan, S Lucey, S Hickey, P Lawlor, B Geary, M Foley, D O' Grady (0-1), M O' Brien (0-1) (P O 'Dwyer);
N Moran (K Tobin, 0-2), O Moran (0-1), M Fitzgerald (0-3), A O 'Shaughnessy (0-3, 1f), B Begley (1-2), B Foley (P Tobin 0-1)
WIIDES:
Waterford: 9
Limerick: 12
ATTENDANCE: 48,371
REFEREE: Seamus Roche (Tipperary)
All-Ireland Hurling quarter-final draw
Kilkenny v Group 1A runner-up ,Kilkenny will play the runner-up of Group 1A, which now looks likely to be Ger Loughnane's Galway.
Waterford v Group 1B runner-up,Waterford will take on the runner-up of Group 1B, which will be either Cork or Tipperary.
Limerick v Group 1A winner, Limerick could face a local derby with Clare as they will play the winner of 1A
Wexford v Group 1B winner, Wexford will play the winner of 1B
Limerick Hurling Page on BEBO ..under construction is ...
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5 окт 2024
