The Waterford Under 20 hurlers lost a thrilling Munster semi final to Limerick by 0-27 to 3-15 at the Gaelic Grounds last night.
Cian Rellis, Jake Foley and Patrick Fitzgerald netted second half goals but it was the Shannonsiders who set up a Munster final meeting with Tipperary next Wednesday. The Déise shot 17 wides over the hour. Wing back Joe Booth was the standout player for the visitors. The Colligan man made five incredible catches in the second half.
The sides were level eight times in the first half. Waterford raced into a 4-2 lead but were guilty of seven wides in the opening nine minutes. Free taker Aaron Ryan finished the half with five points while Seamus Fitzgerald, Joe Booth, Willie Beresford, Padraig Fitzgerald, Seanie Callaghan and Patrick Fitzgerald also split the posts. Gary O'Keeffe's men posted ten wides by the break as the teams went in all square at eleven points apiece.
Limerick hit the first eight points of the second period. Aidan O'Connor got four while Adam English, Colin Coughlan and Shane O'Brien also raised white flags. Coughlan intervened when Aaron Ryan had goal chance for Waterford. Padraig Fitzgerald was then denied by goalkeeper Conor Hanley Clarke. On 43 minutes, sub Cian Rellis rattled the Limerick net. Three Aaron Ryan points reduced the gap to four. The Fourmilewater man completed the hour with eight.
Booth was then penalised for a throw ball and O'Connor punished it with a free. Coughlan added a fine solo score. Another Waterford sub Jake Foley netted five minutes from time to make it a three point game.
Limerick responded with points from Eddie Stokes, O'Connor and O'Brien. Waterford weren't finished yet as Patrick Fitzgerald found the bottom corner from an injury time free. Booth caught the next puckout and set up Fitzgerald for a point. O'Connor wrapped up the win for Limerick with a late, late free.
