LIMERICK squeezed past Galway, 2-27 (33) to 0-31, in Saturday’s National Hurling League tie at the Gaelic Grounds to set up a tilt with Cork at the same venue on Easter Sunday.
John Kiely’s charges, led by Cathal O’Neill (1-4), Adam English, Gearóid Hegarty and David Reidy enjoyed a healthy 1-16 to 0-9 interval lead.
Galway, however, stormed back into contention and outscored the home side 0-22 to 1-11 to ensure a grandstand finish in front of a fine attendance of over 14,000.
Among the scores to haul westerners back into the frame were from half-time replacements Darragh Neary and Colm Molloy, while Aaron Niland was accurate from dead-ball situations.
In those hectic closing stages, Limerick were forced to defend their goal line on a couple of occasions, one of which involved a serious block by William O’Donoghue from a close-range Cathal Mannion free.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Darragh Langan, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English (0-4), Cian Lynch, captain; Gearóid Hegarty (0-3), Aidan O’Connor (0-5), Cathal O’Neill (1-6); Aaron Gillane (1-4), Shane O’Brien, David Reidy (0-2).
Substitutes: Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (0-2), Ethan Hurley (0-1), Hugh Flanagan, Mike Casey, Paddy O’Donovan, Colin Coughlan.