Limerick made to work by Waterford for historic Munster SHC crown

Were it not for Kyle Hayes and Seán Finn making last-gasp defensive plays in the closing minutes, the Déise might have forced a second provincial final under lights in 10 years to go to extra-time.

But where it was Tony Browne’s helmet denying Cork in 2010, it was Hayes tackling Neil Montgomery and Finn intercepting the immense Tadhg de Búrca denying Waterford here and the Munster Cup was Limerick’s to keep for the first time since 1981.

John Kiely won’t mind too much that this was too close for comfort. He has something to throw at his players for the next two weeks unlike last year when they had to sit on their emphatic win over Tipperary for four weeks.

Indeed, Waterford led 0-18 to 0-17 just before the second-half water break when Stephen Bennett sent over his second last of 12 points. Limerick were shooting on sight and a lot of their attempts left a lot to be desired in that third quarter. By the end of the half, they had accumulated eight wides.

Going into that short cessation, a Gearóid Hegarty point then levelled the game for the fifth time, allowing Limerick time to reassess. In came Seamus Flanagan and David Dempsey and with his first touch the former pointed. Hegarty followed with another and the margin was two.

But Waterford couldn’t be shaken. De Búrca was playing like a man possessed, Stephen Bennett giving a stunning display further up the field. Jack Prendergast was making the ball stick in a totemic Limerick back-line used to getting their own way.

It wasn’t that they weren’t performing but as a unit they weren’t as cohesive. Hayes’ individual display, though, was stunning and rightly acknowledged by his manager.

“It’s hard for a young lad to go back into a new position. He’s been fantastic with the attitude he has brought to it and the manner in which he has prepared for the games in the last two or three weeks, and the way he has worked at it in training.

“He is obviously a player who has got a lot to learn when you go back into a new position in the middle of a campaign like that. But I would trust him to do such a job, because he is so reliable. He’s got great focus, great concentration and he’s very athletic and strong.

"So going forward from him on the half back line is a real luns for us now with the speed he can attack and set up attacks at the other end.”

The margin was just two going into the 62nd minute when Aaron Gillane deftly teed up Graeme Mulcahy for a point. The pair repeated the trick two minutes later and Limerick looked to be easing their way out of the woods.

Either side of Hayes turning over Montgomery, substitutes Patrick Curran and Adrian Curran then exchanged scores before Finn’s heroic play. A Gillane free put Limerick out of sight although Bennett stung Nickie Quaid’s hurley with a late free and he had to make do with sending over the resultant 65.

The dejection of the Waterford players afterwards showed how much they had committed to this. Raising themselves for an All-Ireland quarter-final will be a greater task than the one presented to them yesterday but they are bold enough to do it.

Liam Cahill isn’t the type of manager who trades in moral victories and he was quick to recognise where his team were shy. Through no fault of their own, really, just age.

“I mentioned during the week that they’re (Limerick) at a very advanced stage of their strength and conditioning with all their panel, even the younger ones right up at a very aggressive S&C level.

"A lot of my younger players mightn’t be at that level yet but it will take a little time. That’s the benchmark. That’s what there. Like it or lump it, that’s the standard.”

In the first half, when they were full of vim and vigour Waterford more than held their own in the physical stakes. The hits being taken and given could be heard clearly at the back of the Ryan Stand and it wasn’t the challengers who were on the receiving end of most of them.

As was the case in the second half, the teams were level at the first water break. Austin Gleeson was playing a cameo role but he had two points to his name by that stage and Stephen Bennett was taking full advantage of the wind to sail over frees from 100 metres out.

Peter Casey fizzled out in the second half but in the first half he was Limerick’s best player, scoring three points and showing wizardry to set up a couple of other scores.

As Cahill rued, Limerick were able to come out of the rucks with the ball more often than Waterford and they were able to follow up the piano lifting with piano playing, the pass from Tom Morrissey to Cian Lynch for an early Casey score a masterfully-executed attack.

Still, they look vulnerable through the middle when de Búrca soared forward and on their puckouts Limerick didn’t enjoy the dominance they have almost come to expect.

By season’s end, Limerick could have a lot to thank Waterford for but for now it’s back to work. With an All-Ireland semi-final 13 days away, time is truly of the essence.

The 60-second report

IT MATTERED

The defending of Kyle Hayes and Seán Finn in the closing stages as Waterford hunted for a goal. Their interventions were decisive.

CAN’T IGNORE

Limerick have shown that they’re human, but Waterford also demonstrated they’re no longer the whipping boys of Munster as they were the past two seasons. Limerick can’t say they haven’t been tested ahead of whatever comes their way on Sunday week.

GOOD DAY

Limerick’s dominance of the province was underlined here, and as much as it’s a crown devalued in recent years, the reward for it — a two-week run-in against a team playing their third or fourth game in as many weekends — is greater than ever.

BAD DAY

In a normal season, the two-week gap to an All-Ireland quarter-final would have been ideal for Waterford to dust themselves off and go again. But six or seven days is a big ask, given what they put into this game.

PHYSIO ROOM

After his cruciate knee injury earlier this year, Richie English was included in the match panel for the first time. Graeme Mulcahy picked up a knock near the end but should be fine for the All-Ireland semi-final. However, Shane Fives limped out with a quad injury and must be a doubt for next weekend. “It didn’t look good on first glance,” said Liam Cahill.

SIDELINE SMARTS

As expected, Waterford made the middle third a war zone, taking on Limerick at what they are good at, and the Déise didn’t shirk. In the end, it was Limerick’s reserves and physique that made the difference. “I just thought we got muscled out of a lot of the ruck ball and we just didn’t attack the breaking ball the way I think we’re capable of,” rued Cahill.

BEST ON SHOW

For the second time in this championship, the best player was on the losing team to Limerick. After Tony Kelly in the opening game, Stephen Bennett was superb throughout and was closely followed by Tadhg de Búrca. Kyle Hayes, Graeme Mulcahy, and Jack Prendergast had rip-roaring second-half displays.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

A strong performance by Colm Lyons, and it would appear it’s between him and Fergal Horgan now for the All-Ireland final. The yellow cards were warranted, and he showed sense even when a couple of those who were booked fouled again.

NEXT UP?

Limerick’s All-Ireland semi-final is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, with the venue expected to be Croke Park. Waterford have six or seven days to recover for their quarter-final.

Scorers for Limerick: A Gillane (0-10, 8 frees); G Mulcahy (0-4); P Casey (0-3); D Byrnes (1 65), C Lynch, G Hegarty (0-2 each); S Flanagan, A Breen (0-1 each).

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett (0-12, 8 frees, 1 65); A Gleeson (0-3); J Dillon (0-2); D Hutchinson, K Bennett, J Prendergast, P Curran (0-1 each).

LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Finn, D Morrissey, B Nash; D Byrnes, D Hannon (c), K Hayes; C Lynch, W O’Donoghue; G Hegarty, D Reidy, T Morrissey; G Mulcahy, A Gillane, P Casey.

Subs for Limerick: S Flanagan for P Casey, D Dempsey for T Morrissey (both 53); D O’Donovan for D Reidy (56); A Breen for G Mulcahy (inj 67).

WATERFORD: S O’Keeffe; S Fives, C Prunty (c), S McNulty; K Moran, T de Búrca, C Lyons; J Barron, K Bennett; J Prendergast, J Fagan, J Dillon; A Gleeson, S Bennett, D Hutchinson.

Subs for Waterford: N Montgomery for J Fagan (47); M Kearney for K Bennett (59); I Kenny for S Fives (inj 61); D Lyons for J Dillon (63); P Curran for A Gleeson (65).

Referee: C Lyons (Cork).