Waterford and Limerick had to settle for a point apiece after a hectic finish to tonight’s Munster Under 20 hurling clash at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field (0-16 to 1-13).
In front of 1,367 spectators, the Shannonsiders fought back from seven points down in the second half to stay unbeaten. 1-5 off the subs bench, including 1-3 from Mark O’Brien, propelled them to a strong finish. The goal was rather fortuitous as O’Brien’s long range free went all the way. The visitors could even have snatched victory as four chances went astray in injury time.
Waterford’s wait for a first win at this grade since 2022 goes on. Four Jack Twomey points (three from play) and six Mark Hartley placed balls left them 15-8 up with 40 minutes on the clock. Twomey picked up the man of the match award while Seán Mackey starred at number seven.
They only managed one point over the last 23 minutes of the contest however. It’s now eleven matches without a win at Under 20 level.
“Probably a point dropped,” Déise boss Ken McGrath conceded. “Look, it’s a positive result, the first positive result since the All Ireland final in 2016. For more than three quarters of the game, I thought we played very well. We were in total control. We gave away a sloppy goal and it was all momentum then.”
Waterford missed six frees against Clare seven days previous but Mark Hartley stepped up again and nailed his opener from 70 metres out. The Ballygunner teenager converted five first half dead balls.
Wing back Seán Mackey gave a clinic in high fielding as the home side bossed the middle third. The speedy Jack Twomey put over three points from play as the Déise led 11-4 by the 21st minute.
Limerick number seven Darragh Langan dragged his team back into the contest. Two Hugh Flanagan frees and a Donal Coughlan point from play reduced the arrears to five at the break (0-12 to 0-7). The Déise were guilty of five first half wides but defender Cillian Ryan landed a fine long range score.
Hartley added another free on the resumption before Twomey clipped over a sideline cut from in front of the bank. Limerick shot five wides in the third quarter but Robert O’Farrell did fire his third of the evening. Pat Walsh restored Waterford’s seven point lead (0-15 to 0-8).
On 44 minutes, a lifeline for Limerick when a long distance free from substitute Mark O’Brien hopped into the net. O’Farrell then set up a point for another Treaty sub Dara Ferland. Only a goal between them all of a sudden.
Waterford reacted with a Michael Morrissey point but Limerick’s fresh legs spurred them forward. Three successful placed balls from O’Brien left just a point between them. Twomey then slipped a pass to Conor Tobin but he batted the ball across the face of goal and wide. Off the puckout, Sean Duff equaluised.
Three minutes of injury time were signalled. In a hectic finale, both sides squandered chances. Limerick hit three wides via O’Brien, Barry Adams and Ferland while O’Farrell struck the post. Morrissey missed twice at the other end.
