February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Limerick 3-18, Waterford 0-7
It’s hard to say whether this was a seriously below par Waterford performance, or just a superb display from Limerick.
Limerick’s scoring machine Dave Sims was in truly inspired form, notching points from play throughout the game. The Waterford backline could not cope with him, and even when he was heavily marked, his teammate James Moran would slip in to spoil Waterford’s day with more points over the bar.
Limerick, following this win, become the first senior hurling side to qualify for this season’s playoffs, and may well relax a little, as much of the hard work has been done.
Waterford have put together some impressive performances this season, and had they clinched victory in this tie, it would have been them and not Limerick who had the luxury of knowing they had qualified for the playoffs.
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This was perhaps Limericks most convincing victory so far this season, in defeating such a side as Waterford, who have proved themselves to be no slouches, by such a phenomenal scoreline surely gives many of the Gaelic Park faithful an idea of who will be hoisting silverware in October. The first half finished with Jimmy Duggan’s Waterford side trailing by a respectable seven points, due in no small part to Dave Sims two goals.
After the interval, the Limerick lads really took control and began firing in scores from every angle. Waterford appeared shellshocked, and only managed a paltry two points in the second half as opposed to a goal and twelve from Limerick.
Limerick’s second half performance in particular was one of the best displays by a hurling team witnessed in recent times in Gaelic Park. Despite being well ahead, they never relaxed, and in doing so, they prevented their opponents from gathering any momentum and bringing themselves back into the fray. So many teams have faltered in recent games by taking their foot off the pedal when they are leading only to witness their rival from picking up points and even clinching victories from the jaws of defeat. Limerick have the right attitude, they kept fighting till the end, feeling no remorse whatsoever for the other team on the field. It will take a phenomenal display of hurling to stop this side in their tracks.
Limerick: Finbarr Flood, John Riordan, Dermot O’Brien, Aidan O’Connor, Tom Canty, Tom Simms, Tim Kelly, Ollie Moran (0-2), Eamon Shields (0-1), James Moran (0-5), Danny Grealish, Dave Simms (2-6), Brendan Cagney Subs Morgan Burns (1-1), Mike Crowley, Damian Hallassy (0-1), James McSweeney, Cathal Kennedy (0-1), Martin Cusack (0-1).
Waterford: Kevin Martin, Conor Power, Tom Bermingham, Richie Purcell, Stuart Barry, JoJo Sullivan, Donal Berry (0-1), Shane O’Brien (0-1), Danny Sweeney, Dave Ryan (0-3), Mike O’Shea, Mike Curtin, Donncha Crotty, Subs Tomas Maher (0-2), Cormac Murray, Fintan O’Shea, Dave Connolly, Finbarr Craughwell, Ollie O’Neill.