They made hard work of it but knowing a win would secure a spot in at least the All-Ireland quarter-finals, Limerick rallied powerfully late in the second half to take out Waterford in a gripping Munster Senior Hurling Championship game in TUS Gaelic Grounds.
The main talking points from the game is that Waterford's season is now over and Limerick’s continues beyond next week – and if they overcome All-Ireland champions Tipperary next Sunday at the same venue the Treaty men will play in their eighth Munster final in-a-row.
And even if they fail to overcome Liam Cahill’s Tipp, the John Kiely’s charges will still look forward to the all-important provincial final if Cork defeat Clare.
Either way, the Shannonsiders will at least finish in the top three and make the All-Ireland series.
Fighting for their championship survival, Waterford, aided by a strong breeze in the opening 35 minutes, took the narrowest of leads into the half-time break – 0-16 to 0-15 – before two quick-fire Limerick goals in the final 10 minutes, from Peter Casey and Gearoid Hegarty, ensured a nine-point win – 2-29 to 2-20.
The result may look comfortable for Limerick, but it was far from that at times as the Déise led as late as the 60th minute, before the hosts outscored Waterford by 2-07 to 1-00 in the final 10 minutes.
The result means Tipperary’s slim chances of making the All-Ireland series are over, as is Waterford’s season.
As expected, Limerick got off to a flying start, Adam English pointing after just seven seconds before Aidan O'Connor, Cathal O’Neill, Gearoid Hegarty, and English again, slotted over either side of a Dessie Hutchinson point to put Limerick 0-05 to 0-01 inside the opening four minutes.
By the time O’Neill scored his third point of the afternoon just shy of the 11th minute mark, Limerick were double Waterford’s point tally – 0-08 to 0-04.
Waterford responded with four points in a row to draw level as efforts from Kevin Mahony, Jack Fagan, Shane Bennett and Calum Lyons lifted Déise spirits.
Peter Queally’s side took the lead for the first time in the 20th minute as Bennett made five points without response, before Lyons continued their purple patch to put two between the sides – Waterford’s six without reply from Limerick.
Kyle Hayes stopped the rot to score Limerick’s first point in six minutes with 21 minutes on the clock.
The momentum was still with Waterford, however, and Seán Walsh and Bennett slotted over to make it a three-point game 12 minutes before half-time.
Limerick drew level on the verge of half-time when O’Brien tapped over, but Bennett’s third free of the afternoon edged Waterford ahead – 0-16 to 0-15.
Limerick had a late goal chance, but the impressive Bennett did well to get back to the line to deny Aidan O’Connor.
Both sides were again level in 40th minute when O’Connor pointed again for Limerick and the home side took the lead again eight minutes later, O’Connor again with a free this time.
The first goal of the afternoon came 19 minutes from time, Kevin Mahony (above) was first to a superb ball in by Dessie Hutchinson, the Ballygunner duo combining and taking full advantage of some loose marking from Limerick’s Mike Casey, leaving Mahony one-on-one with Nickie Quaid in the Limerick goal – 1-17 to 0-18 in favour of the Deise.
However, Limerick outscored Waterford by 2-11 to 1-03 from here on in.
Nine minutes from time, Limerick got their first of two goals, Peter Casey taking full advantage of a mix-up in the Waterford defence to raise the green flag after the Na Piarsaigh man was set up for Hegarty.
A minute later, Hegarty turned from provider to goalscorer to ensure a strong finish for Limerick. O’Connor’s deflected pass fell into the path of the St Patrick’s man who put five between the sides.
Limerick finished with a flourish of points, scoring 2-09 without reply before a late injury-time penalty for a jersey pull was slotted home by Bennett – a mere consolation for Queally’s charges.
They died with their boots on but it wasn’t to be yet again for Waterford as Limerick go marching on.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid: Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes (0-01, 0-01f), William O'Donoghue, Kyle Hayes (0-01); Adam English (0-02), Darragh O'Donovan (0-02); Gearoid Hegarty (1-01), Aidan O'Connor (0-08, 0-04f, 0-01 '65), Cathal O'Neill (0-05); Aaron Gillane, Shane O'Brien (0-02), Peter Casey (1-01)
Subs used: Cian Lynch (capt.) (0-03) for English (31 minutes), Mike Casey for Finn (48), Tom Morrissey (0-03) for O'Brien (54), David Reidy for Gillane (60), Colin Coughlin for Nash (67)
Waterford: Billy Nolan (0-01); Conor Keane, Mark Fitzgerald (capt.), Jack Fagan (0-01) ; Tadhg de Búrca, Shane Bennett (1-06, 0-03f, 1-00 penalty); Sean Mackey, Reuben Halloran; Calum Lyons (0-04), Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast (0-01); Dessie Hutchinson (0-02, 0-02f), Seán Walsh (0-01), Kevin Mahony (1-03)
Subs used: Michael Kelly for Prendergast (temp 27 – 28 minutes), Michael Kelly for Halloran (half time), Darragh Lyons for Mackey (43), Austin Gleeson (0-01, 0-01 sideline) for Walsh (49), Patrick Curran for Lyons (65), James Power for Hutchinson (67)
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
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