Limerick hurlers bow out of Munster U20 Championship with defeat to Waterford:

Limerick hurlers bow out of Munster U20 Championship with defeat to Waterford:

By Joel Slattery Limerick Leader Sport

LIMERICK are out of the Fulfil Munster U20 Hurling Championship with one round left to play after a 1-18 to 1-17 defeat to Wateford at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

A third defeat on the trot sees Evan Loftus’ men unable to advance from the group.

Earlier losses to Cork and Clare before this reversal means that a top-three berth is now beyond their reach.

Limerick are left to rue missed chances, a last gasp Patrick Kearney miss their 19th wide of the hour.

Evan Loftus made two changes from the defeat in Sixmilebridge a fortnight ago – into the team coming Dara Ferland and Darragh Gleeson.

The first goal was a wonderful team move from Waterford. Hugo Quann passed the ball to the on-rushing Joe McDonell. The Blackwater CS, Lismore teammates combined to play full forward Conor Tobin into space. Ballygunner’s Tobin made no mistake from close range, firing the sliotar into the roof of the net.

But Limerick responded with intent.
Robert O’Farrell created an opening and his well-struck shot was saved, only for the rebound to deflect off Eoin Brosnan and go harmlessly wide.

This was one of four wides in the first 10 minutes, the other three all coming from frees as Limerick struggled against the wind with their accuracy playing into the breeze.

Brosnan did have the ball in the net in the 12th minute, with a cool finish after a searing run from Conor Ryan. This had Limerick trailing by one – 1-3 to 1-2 – before the ‘Deise’ took over again.

A run of four in a row from the visitors – with David Comerford scoring three of those – was ended with a smart score from Robert O’Farrell.

Scores from Mark Hartley and Comerford had the visitors in a strong position, stretching the lead back to five. A fine Darragh Gleeson effort kept Loftus’ men in touch approaching the break.

A Comerford ‘65 rounded off the scoring in the half with Waterford taking a 1-10 to 1-5 lead into the break, Limerick shooting a disappointing eight wides in the first 30 minutes.

With the breeze, Limerick’s accuracy was still off. Two wides inside 90 seconds stopped them from taking advantage of early possession after the break.

A superb over the shoulder strike from Brosnan got the home side on the board in the fourth minute of the half before senior panellist Matthew Fitzgerald reduced the gap to three.

As the home side looked to be taking the initiative, Waterford upped it a gear. Hugo Quann, Jack Power and Gearoid O’Shea added points.

With the game slipping from Limerick a heroic triple save from Alex Kearns kept them in touch.

Stifled by inaccuracy in front of goal, scores from Cosgrove and Dara Ferland reduced the gap to three with just over 10 minutes to go.

Cosgrove nearly had a levelling goal but was denied by a remarkable save from James Comerford.

Despite a late flurry and a last-gasp chance to get a draw, Limerick fell just short.

SCORERS:
Limerick: Eoin Brosnan 1-2; Hugh Flanagan 0-5 (3f); Jack Cosgrove 0-3; Matthew Fitzgerald 0-2 (1sl)
Robert O’Farrell, Darragh Gleeson, James Coughlan, Dara Ferland, Patrick Kearney 0-1 each.

Waterford: David Comerford 0-10 (6f, 1 ‘65); Conor Tobin 1-3; Mark Hartley 0-2; Hugo Quann, Jack Power, Gearoid O’Shea 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Alex Kearns (Na Piarsaigh); John Murray (Patrickswell), Jackie Dwane (Kilmallock), Sean Duff (Mungret St Pauls); Jack Cosgrove (Ahane), Eamon Richardson (Doon), Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen); Conor Ryan (Ahane), Aidan O’Connell (Doon); John O’Connor (Ahane), Darragh Gleeson (Adare), Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); Dara Ferland (Monaleen), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Eoin Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh).
Subs: John O’Keeffe for John Murray (39 mins); James Coughlan for Aidan O’Connell (41 mins); Patrick Kearney for Darragh Gleeson (43 mins); Cathal Dennehy for Conor Ryan (50 mins); Killian Begley for John O’Connor (56 mins).

WATERFORD: James Comerford; Darragh Keane, Conor Lynch, Tomas Ahern; Bradley Penkert, Joe McDonnell, Cathal O’Sullivan; Hugo Quann, Paddy Spellman; David Comerford, Jack Power, Mark Hartley; Gearoid O’Shea, Conor Tobin, Ollie Fives.
Subs: Gearoid Power for Gearoid O’Shea (48 mins); Tommy Kennedy for Cathal O’Sullivan (50 mins); Caoillin Reville for Ollie Fives (54 mins); Pierce Quann for Paddy Spellman (59 mins).

REFEREE:John Bugler (Clare).