Limerick topple Waterford

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Before this game, Waterford sat at the top of the table, having won their first three games, and therefore, were level with champions Tipperary on six points. Their form has been superb this year, disposing of various teams in their run towards the championship.

Limerick, however, is a team eager to win back their title from old rivals Tipperary, and having opened the season with a stuttering performance versus Offaly, when many felt Offaly were very unlucky to leave the park with just the one championship point, Limerick have gotten back on their feet, and have won their three games since.

To lose by a mere two points versus this powerful Limerick combination is nothing to be ashamed of, though I’m sure Waterford will still be disappointed having lost out on the championship points.

Limerick, with the added talents of stars from home, Jimmy Butler, Mike O’Brien and Mark Foley, were obviously taking the Waterford threat seriously. Which was fortunate for them, as Waterford had enticed home base Clare aces Niall Gilligan and John Reddan over for the game.

The Greens began on the attack, with Dave Simms proving just why he is regarded as one of the best forwards in New York hurling as he added to already impressive scoring tally for the season. Along with Tadhg O’Callaghan, the two Limerick forwards pushed their side into an early lead, and Waterford clearly had some fighting back to do.

But fight back is exactly what they did. A goal from Limerick’s O’Callaghan threatened to wipe Waterford out of the game, but points from Dave Ryan, Gilligan and Sam Cotter brought the Decies to within three points at the interval.

Limerick opened the second half in much the same vein, and Simms continued to press forward, opening up a six point lead for the Greens.

Waterford continued to press back against the run of play, and but for some excellent goalkeeping from Limerick’s Finbarr Flood, they could well have moved into the lead.

Some late scoring from Waterford’s Ryan and Gilligan brought them back to within two points, but with the clock running out, Limerick were on course for to hold on for the crucial victory. It’s certainly not the last we’ll see of either of these sides, and don’t bet against seeing them come face to face again before the season is over.

Limerick: Finbar Flood, Tommy Simms, Phil Wickham, John Riordan, Mark Foley, Jeremy O’Donovan, James McSweeney, Mike O’Brien, Eamon Shields, William Joyce, Tadhg O’Callaghan (1-3), Davie Simms (0-6), James Butler (0-4). Sub: Morgan Burns

Waterford: Noel Kelly, Tom Bermingham, Tom Morrissey, Dave Ryan (1-3), John Reddan (0-1), Tom Maher, Kevin Martin, Rory Hussey, Niall Gilligan (0-6), Fintan O’Shea, Sean Cotter (0-2), Barry Murphy, Danny Sweeney. Subs: Donncha Crotty, Ken Geary, Cormac Murray, Owen O’Connor