Connecticut hurlers oust champs

In Sunday’s semifinal at Gaelic Park, Limerick were the latest team to fall victim to the immigration officials as several of their prospective players were turned back at Shannon Airport. This recent spate of players being turned away has left several teams in the lurch and caused yet another uproar between the New York and Irish branches of the GAA. Instead of railing at unseen forces preventing the traveling players, perhaps it is time for New York to rely more on their New York-based players.
Before this match got under way, Connecticut objected to two Limerick players whose pictures were taken presumably for investigative purposes. The match itself began in sluggish fashion. Connecticut took the early advantage with a Fergus Flynn point.
Bad shooting from both sides kept scores low, but Limerick eventually found the target. Early substitute Conor McCaffery got Limerick on the board and midfielder Pat Maroney followed for the Munster side.
Connecticut’s Conor O’Keane, dangerous all afternoon, leveled with his first point. Limerick had their share of possession but were snake bit in front of the posts. Maroney, in particular, was proving a handful in the middle of the park, but it was Connecticut’s ability to pick off scores that put them ahead.
Fergus Flynn scored a great goal after a long run through the Limerick defense. Denis Byrne added a second Connecticut goal with a bullet from a 21-yard free. Limerick keeper Finbarr Flood did well to prevent another Connecticut goal with a great save off Limerick’s Galway countyman Kevin Broderick. Connecticut carried a 0-4 lead into the break, 2-5 to 0-7.
Limerick opened the second half with 0-3 from Dave Sims frees, while Conor O’Keane pointed twice to stunt Limerick’s comeback. Limerick tried to chip away and pull themselves back into the match with Tadgh O’Callaghan and Pat Maroney working very hard, but Limerick continued to stumble when in sight of the goalposts.
In contrast, when Connecticut had a scoring chance in the second half, they usually made it count. Byrne, Broderick, and O’Keane scored before Sims hit another free. Limerick never gave in but Connecticut were seldom troubled and head to the final in only their first season in the senior ranks.
Man of the Match: Conor O’Keane
Connecticut: Donal Leahy, Phil Wickham, Aiden Kiely, Richie Purcell, Kieran McGann (0-2), Liam Hodgins, Fintan O’Shea (0-1), Ollie O’Neill, Keith Hennessey, Fergus Flynn (1-3), Kevin Broderick (0-4), Denis Byrne (1-2), Conor O’Keane (0-4). Subs: Mark Comerford, Declan Ryan.
Limerick: Finbarr Flood, Brian Driver, Tom Sims, Paul Cotter, Paul O’Reilly, Tadgh O’Callaghan (0-2), Pat Maroney (0-3), Mike Barron, Mike Stretch, Theo O’Halpin, John Loftus, Brendan Cagney, Dave Sims (0-8, 7 frees). Sub: Conor McCaffery (0-1).