Limerick 2-23 Galway 2-19
Red-hot favourites Limerick came with a strong finish to finally see off the challenge of a brave Galway side by 2-23 to 2-19 in a cracking All-Ireland U-21 semi-final at Semple Stadium in Thurles.
The sides were level ten times in an entertaining contest in front of a crowd of 6,524 and looked set for extra-time when Evan Niland levelled the sides in the final minute of regular time.
But Limerick showed the benefit of a tough Munster campaign to shoot four unanswered points in the closing stages to see off the challenge of a Galway side playing their first match of the campaign.
A goal from Peter Casey after ten minutes helped Limerick go in level at 1-09 to 0-12 at the break having played against the wind.
Indeed, Casey was in superb form early on, shooting two points from the right wing before finishing to the net after Galway goalkeeper Darragh Gilligan did well to save from Tom Morrissey.
Galway had early points from Brian Concannon and Thomas Monaghan but also shot four wides in the opening four minutes.
Kevin McHugo responded to Casey’s goal with a point but the Munster champions hit back with a good point from Barry Murphy.
Galway, last year’s runners-up, struck three in a row from Dan Nevin, Monaghan and Sean Linnane to level the match at 1-03 to 0-06 going into the second quarter.
Aaron Gillane got the first of three points from placed balls in the opening half when he landed a free, but Concannon quickly cancelled it at the other end.
Gillane and Thomas Grimes then edged Limerick in front with good points before Galway hit back with Jack Coyne and Monaghan finding the range.
A 65 from Gillane, after another good save by Gilligan from Barry Nash, put two between them in the closing stages of the opening half but Galway senior star Conor Whelan, well marshalled by the Limerick defence, managed to get through for a point and Nevin then got his second to tie match.
Nash got off the mark to edge Limerick in front before the break but a free from Whelan sent the sides in level at the interval.
Galway, hoping to join their seniors and minors in All-Ireland finals next month, found themselves five points adrift six minutes after the break after Barry Murphy found the net in a blistering start to the second-half.
Galway did not panis and a goal from Jack Coyne after a great run from senior player Whelan gave them confidence and they drew level at 1-16 to 2-13 after 43 minutes thanks to points from Whelan and Grealish.
The scores continued to flow at both ends and after Gillane and Monaghan exchanged points, Cian Lynch edged Limerick in front.
The response from Galway was superb and Whelan struck for a superb goal to put them two points ahead 12 minutes from time.
Limerick, hardened by that tough Munster campaign, maintained their composure and impressive sub Andrew La Touche Cosgrave and Kyle Hayes pointed to tie the sides for the eighth time.
Conor Boylan and Monaghan, and then Nash and Evan Niland, swapped points in the closing stages but then Limerick pulled away and when Gillane edged them in front, points quickly followed from Thomas Grimes and Robbie Hanley before Gillane sealed the win with a late free.
Limerick: E McNamara; S Finn, D Fanning, D Joy; R Lynch, K Hayes (0-01), T Grimes (0-02); C Ryan, R Hanley (0-01); A Gillane (0-08, 0-04 frees, 0-02 ’65), B Murphy (1-02), C Lynch (0-01); P Casey (1-02), T Morrissey, B Nash (0-04).Subs: A La Touche Cosgrave (0-01) for C Lynch (30-31 mins, blood) & for Morrissey (44 mins), C Boylan (0-01) for Ryan (44 mins), J O’Grady for Finn (52 mins), S Flanagan for Murphy (59 mins), M Mackey for Nash (65 mins).
Galway: D Gilligan; D Cronin, C Cosgrove, I Fox; J Grealish (0-01), J Mooney, S Loftus (0-01, 0-01 free); K McHugo (0-01), D Nevin (0-02, 0-01 free); B Concannon (0-04), S Linnane (0-01), T Monaghan (0-04); C Whelan (1-03, 0-01 free), C Burke, J Coyne (1-01).Subs: C O’Connor for Fox (21 mins), E Niland (0-01, 0-01 free) for Burke (37 mins), G Loughnane for Concannon (42-43 mins, blood) & for Coyne (57 mins), F Burke for Mooney (52 mins), R Elwood for McHugo (58 mins).
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
