Superb Limerick minor hurlers book Munster final spot after win over Cork:

By Joel Slattery Limerick Leader Sport

LIMERICK have reached the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship final after a superb team display saw them defeat Cork 2-21 to 0-18 in Pairc Ui Rinn on Friday night.

This, coupled with Tipperary’s win over Waterford sees Diarmuid Mullins’ charges secure a date with the ‘Premier’ next Friday night in the provincial final.

While not yet confirmed, it is anticipated that the match will take place in Cork with a 7pm throw-in.

Goals from Xavier Nelligan and Diarmuid Crowe were the key scores as the Shannonsiders scored a deserved win on Leeside.

A wonderful Crowe point after good play with Nelligan gave Limerick the lead for the first time in the third minute in this contest.

The Doon man doubled his personal tally – and the Limerick lead – after seven minutes as the visitors stretched to a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.

This was an early indication that Limerick were focussed and on their game in what turned into a de-facto semi-final.

A Stephen McHugh point and a pair of Bobby Power frees saw Cork retake the lead before Limerick got the score of the day midway through the opening period.

Great play from Shane Waters and Conor Ryan saw Ryan Foley on the ball and the Patrickswell man scored from distance.

Foley would score two of the next three points – the other a Waters free – as Limerick gained a real foothold in the game.

Daire Long and Danny O’Grady, the two players who came into the side from the Tipp defeat, added the next two white flags as the Shannonsiders increased the lead to five.

The free-taking of Power ensured the hosts didn’t fall too far behind.

However, Limerick finished the half really strongly with injury time scores from Long and wing-back John O’Riordan giving the men in green a 0-14 to 0-6 interval lead.
Be
Cork started the second half well and ‘Treaty’ goalkeeper Sam Collins was called into action early on. The Crecora-Manister man was equal to Sam Ring’s effort.

Power’s resulting ‘65 was the ‘Rebels’ second score in the first three minutes of the second half.

Eoin Hennessy got Limerick’s first score of the half to extend the lead back to five and settle his side down a bit after the break.

The third quarter was a nervy affair however, but Mullins’ side defended strongly when called upon.

But it was up front where the game was won. Crowe brilliantly caught a puckout and passed to Nelligan. After a searing run the Kilmallock man’s effort beat Cork ‘keeper Marley Walsh to put Limerick seven ahead – the biggest lead of the match at that point.

At the other end, Callum Coyle tried to respond in kind but was denied by an incredible diving block from corner back Rowan Collins.

This passage of play was typical of the hour as Limerick finished deserving winners.

The win was secured five minutes from time when Crowe got Limerick’s second goal and secured their place in the final.

SCORERS:

Cork: Bobby Power 0-9 (8f, 1 ‘65); Ryan Cagney 0-4; Tom Huggins 0-2; Stephen McHugh, Cormac Murphy, Callum Coffey 0-1 each.

Limerick: Shane Waters 0-7 (4f); Diarmuid Crowe 1-2; Xavier Nelligan 1-1; Ryan Foley 0-3; Daire Long 0-2; Danny O’Grady, Eamon O’Sullivan, John O’Riordan, Eoin Hennessy, Rian Horgan, Cian Hickey 0-1 each.

TEAMS:

CORK: Marley Walsh; Jack Batterberry, Finn Cahill, Nathan Coffey; Eoin Considine, Dave Nolan, Cathal Barry; Tadgh Murphy, Stephen Mchugh; Tadhg McCarthy, Bobby Power, Liam O’Regan; Callum Coffey, Cormac Murphy, Sam Ring.

Subs: Ryan Cagney for Tadhg McCarthy (temporary ,11-15 mins); Ryan Cagney for Tadhg Murphy (25 mins); Conor Ronayne for Tadhg McCarthy (36 mins); Darragh Barry for Liam O’Regan (41 mins); Tom Huggins for Cormac Murphy (49 mins); Sean Riordan for Stephen McHugh (58 mins).

LIMERICK: Sam Collins (Crecora-Manister); Rowan Collins (Adare), William Ryan (Murroe-Boher), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey); Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell), Conor Ryan (Monaleen), John O’Riordan (Bruff); Xavier Neligan (Kilmallock), Jack Roche (Blackrock); Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Ryan Foley (Patrickswell), Shane Waters (Na Piarsaigh); Eamon O’Sullivan (Adare), Danny O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry), Daire Long (Pallasgreen).

Subs: Rian Horgan for Daire Long (36 mins); Gavin O’Brien for Danny O’Grady (42 mins); Cian Hickey for Jack Roche (54 mins); Colin Burke for Eamon O’Sullivan (57 mins); Billy Gavin for John O’Riordan (59 mins).

REFEREE: Eoghan O’Leary (Clare).