Gaelic Games

Limerick hurlers claim Munster minor crown

Ronan Lynch shoots 10 points in replay triumph

Limerick’s Colin Ryan (left) battles for possession with Jack Mullaney and Peter Hogan of Waterford during last night’s Munster MHC replay at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Limerick’s Colin Ryan (left) battles for possession with Jack Mullaney and Peter Hogan of Waterford during last night’s Munster MHC replay at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Wed Jul 23 2014 - 01:00

LIMERICK 0-24 WATERFORD 0-18

Limerick were crowned Munster minor hurling champions for a seventh time last night – with vice-captain Ronan Lynch hitting 10 points.

The Shannonsiders won by six points in this Semple Stadium replay to record back-to-back provincial crowns in this grade for the first time.

But for Waterford, a miserable week was completed following the exits of the under-21 and senior teams from their respective championships in recent days.

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Outscoring

Last night, they were outclassed in front of 6,165 spectators, with Limerick outscoring them by 0-9 to 0-1 in the final 16 minutes plus stoppage time.

And Limerick had to come from three points down to book their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

They trailed by 0-10 to 0-13 approaching half-time – and by 0-13 to 0-16 early in the second half.

But central to this victory was Tom Morrissey’s second half contribution, while Barry Nash was also prominent.

Ahane’s Morrissey profited from a switch to the half-forward line and his run of three points without reply, from the 44th to 48th minutes, were crucial scores.

Levelled the tie

Morrissey’s first point levelled the tie for the 10th time at 0-17 apiece and two more had Limerick sensing glory.

Peter Casey, another to impress, popped over his third point to establish a three-point advantage before sub Eddie Meaney, with his second, raised Waterford's final white flag with 11 minutes remaining.

But having conceded five points without reply, Limerick responded with another scoring purple patch, slotting over the final four scores of the game.

At half-time, Limerick were 0-11 to 0-13 behind but they had the scoring power down the home straight when it really mattered. LIMERICK: E McNamara; S Finn, P O'Loughlin, J Porter; L Lyons, A La Touche Cosgrave, C Byrnes; R Hanley (0-1), C Lynch; R Lynch (0-10, five frees, three 65s), B Nash (0-3), S Flanagan; C Ryan (0-2), T Morrissey (0-5), P Casey (0-3). Subs: E Doyle for Lyons (37). WATERFORD: B Nolan; D Prendergast, E Hayden, M Cronin; C Prunty, C Gleeson, J Mullaney; S Bennett, C Curran (0-1); P Hogan (0-1), C Roche (0-4), A Molumby; P Curran (0-8, six frees), D Lyons, S Ryan (0-2). Subs: E Meaney (0-2) for Molumby (half-time), A O'Sullivan for Hogan (50), S Murray for Prendergast (53). Referee: J McCormack (Tipperary).