Despite a five point haul from goalkeeper Simon Burns, the Waterford Under 20 footballers lost to Limerick by 0-15 to 0-13 in Round 2 of the Munster championship at a sunny Dungarvan GAA Grounds.

The Shannonsiders led by eight with seven minutes left but Burns inspired a late Déise fightback. A 45 and a two pointer from the Dunhill man left just two between them deep into injury time. The Waterford number one finished as top scorer. The home side couldn’t snatch a draw however as Adam Murray kicked a last gasp two point effort left and wide.

The visitors led from start to finish as inside forwards Diarmuid Hynes, Luke Walsh and Shane O’Grady all shot three points apiece. Midfielders Tadgh Hourigan and Brian Hourigan stole the show however with an exhibition of high fielding. These two teams have now recorded one win each in Phase 1 and both can still qualify for Phase 2 ahead of the final round of fixtures next weekend.

The Treaty men, clearly stung by last week’s loss to Tipperary, raced seven nil up after 16 minutes. Padraic Phelan and Luke Walsh struck two points each while Hourigan and O’Callaghan showed their aerial prowess under kickouts. Diarmuid Mackle finally opened Waterford’s account with a two pointer in the 17th minute. Joe Brennan added a free. Walsh, Tom Ryan and Shane O’Grady restored Limerick’s seven point advantage. All six forwards scored from play by half time. Déise goalkeeper Simon Burns slotted a two pointer, with the aid of the upright, a minute before the break as the visitors went in 0-10 to 0-5 ahead.

That gap rose to eight in the second period as Diarmuid Hynes and O’Grady added two apiece. Waterford shot erratically at the other end and completed the hour with eleven wides. Orange flags from Paddy McCarthy and Simon Burns gave the home fans late hope. Waterford saw a goal chance cleared off the line before Brennan raised a white one. Limerick sub Padraic Murphy got a crucial late point as the young men in green just about held on for victory.