LIMERICK and Waterford meet this Saturday in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final in Croke Park.
Waterford will be seeking to avenge the All-Ireland final defeat of 2020 while Limerick will be searching for successive final appearances for the first time in almost 50 years.
The Shannonsiders have dominated the recent history of the fixture, winning the last four championship ties including All-Ireland and Munster finals last winter.
Limerick also picked up a first National League title in 22 years at the expense of Waterford in 2019.
Yet, the Deise seem best poised to upset the All-Ireland favourites.
With fine margins certain to decide the contest, look below at where each team holds the aces.
Goalkeeper
Nickie Quaid (Limerick) v Shaun O’Brien (Waterford)
The Waterford team that faced Clare in the Munster quarte-final is a much different one to the one that is likely to face Limerick with Shaun O’Brien excelling since taking over from Billy Nolan. Were it not for O’Brien’s late heroics against John McGrath in the dying minutes of the All-Ireland quarter-final, it is likely that Waterford wouldn’t have held on.
But, in the opposition goals will be the premier netminder in the country. Nickie Quaid’s consistency since John Kiely’s arrival has been unmatched and he is the starting point for so many of Limerick’s attacks.
Limerick hold the advantage here.
Tipperary vs Limerick
Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid celebrates his side’s second goal
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Full Back Line
Sean Finn, Richie English / Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash (Limerick) v
Shane McNulty / Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty, Ian Kenny (Waterford)
First things first for Limerick will be the decision between Richie English and Dan Morrissey. Morrissey was the All-Star full back in 2020 but English has regained his place after rupturing his cruciate last season. The Ahane man was introduced prior to half time in the Munster final and made an immediate impact. Whoever Kiely plucks for it will matter little with the duo two of the best in the business.
In the corners, Sean Finn is well on his way to All-Star number four in as many years while Barry Nash has blossomed into a brilliant option in the full back line.
The Waterford trio of McNulty, Prunty and Kenny were excellent against Tipperary but Liam Cahill will have the option of Conor Gleeson for Saturday. He missed the quarter-final through suspension and will give Cahill plenty to ponder. Prunty has been the outstanding full back this summer with his corner men as impressive. Yet, they have conceded eight goals in their four outings thus far which will be a worry for Liam Cahill.
Cork vs Waterford
Waterford’s Conor Prunty and Jack O Connor of Cork
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
Nonetheless, it is hard separate either full back line with a cautious vote for Limerick.
Half Back Line
Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes (Limerick) v
Calum Lyons, Shane Bennett, Kieran Bennett (Waterford)
Arguably the strongest line on either side. For Limerick, the All-Ireland winning trio of 2020 have gone from strength to strength with Kyle Hayes in line for a Hurler of the Year nomination. In his last outing, he scored one of the best goals of all time and despite his position at wing-back, he is one of the most dangerous players in the game.
On the other wing, Byrnes has 0-7 to his name in two games while Declan Hannon is the anchor of the entire Limerick rearguard.
For Waterford, the loss of Tadhg de Burca seemed detrimental but Shane Bennett has grown into the role, offering something completely different. Outside of him, his brother Kieran is a constant outlet of scores as is Calum Lyons who is the closest thing to Kyle Hayes. Between Bennett and Lyons, the duo have accounted for 0-10 from play in the championship thus far.
Each will have their own job to do in regards to their opposition on Saturday but it promises to be a long day for the half forwards in Croke Park.
Again Limerick hold a slight edge.
Midfield
Darragh O’Donovan & William O’Donoghue (Limerick) v
Jamie Barron & Peter Hogan (Waterford)
There is no other midfielder operating at the same level as Jamie Barron right now. The return of the Fourmilewater man has made a huge difference to Waterford’s season, as shown since his introduction in the narrow win over Laois. Beside him, Peter Hogan has slotted in well and has clipped over four points this summer.
Against them, Darragh O’Donovan and William O’Donoghue have formed a solid partnership with the duo doing a lot of unseen work that allows the flair players to blossom.
On paper, Waterford have the advantage but in both meetings last year, O’Donoghue dictated proceedings in the middle third. If the Na Piarsaigh man can do the same in Croke Park, it will go a long way in neutralizing Waterford.
Half Forward Line
Tom Morrissey, Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty (Limerick) v
Jack Fagan, Jack Prendergast, Stephen Bennett (Waterford)
The biggest discrepancy between the sides is in the half forward line, with no other county able to compete with the All-Star trio of Morrissey, Lynch and Hegarty. Hegarty is the current Hurler of the Year while Lynch is favourite to win a second HOTY gong. Beside them, Tom Morrissey is capable of winning any game, as he demonstrated at the same stage last year against Galway.Stephen Bennett is Waterford’s leading marksman for the second consecutive year and like his brothers, he has a keen eye for a score. In last year’s semi-final, Bennett was unmarkable in the shock win over Kilkenny and will need a similar performance to upset the odds again. Jack Prendergast has been given a new life at centre forward and will roam acrross the field, giving Declan Hannon something to think about. In Jack Fagan, the Deise have the best ball winning forward in the country with the Meath building on an impressive 2020 campaign.
But despite this, Limerick’s half forward line is key to how they operate and if they fire, the Shannonsiders will win.
Full Forward Line
Peter Casey, Seamus Flanagan, Graeme Mulcahy / Aaron Gillane (Limerick) v
Dessie Hutchinson, Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran (Waterford)
As with the full back line, John Kiely will have a decision to make in the corner. Does he recall Aaron Gillane, who was so effective when coming on in the Munster final, or is Graeme Mulcahy afforded another chance? Either way, Limerick will have an All-Star forward partnered with Seamus Flanagan and Peter Casey. Both are having their finest seasons to date with 1-13 plundered betwen them.
Liam Cahill will most likely operate with a one man full forward line as Gleeson and Curran drop out the field. Dessie Hutchinson’s movement is unrivalled in the country but he will have the small task of facing Sean Finn, Ireland’s premier corner back. Curran has made somewhat of a resurgence to win back a starting berth but it is with Gleeson that the X factor lies. The Mount Sion man has 1-13 to his name this summer and enjoyed both his games against Limerick last year, grabbing 0-5 in the final.
Again the sides are evenly matched up front with plenty of match winners capable of turning the game single handily.
Replacements
It is highly likely that John Kiely will have a pair of All-Stars to choose from when he looks to his bench with two from English, Morrissey, Gillane and Mulcahy set to start among the replacements. Outside of this U20 starlets Colin Coughlan and Cathal O’Neill could be set for championship debutants. Kiely also has double All-Ireland winners David Reidy and Pat Ryan among the pack with Limerick’s strength in depth a real feature.
Waterford’s bench were instrumental in the win over Tipp with Neil Montgomery the star with 1-2 late on. Michael Kiely also bagged a brace from the bench with Colin Dunford adding another. Cahill can also call on one of Gleeson/McNulty, Darragh Lyons and he will be hopeful Iarlaith Daly has made a sufficient recovery to be included after missing the last two games.
Overall
Waterford seemed best suited to take on Limerick with their running game a potential problem for the reigning champions.
But overall, Limerick are that bit stronger than their opponents with their starting XV unmatched in the nation and a host of other options off the bench.
It is Limerick’s to lose.
Limerick play Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final this Satrday in Croke Park at 5pm.
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