LIMERICK secured entry into the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship with a flattering 2-29 to 2-20 win over Waterford in the penultimate provincial round-robin tie at the Gaelic Grounds.
The outcome also eliminated both the visitors and Tipperary, who were beaten by Clare at Semple Stadium in Thurles on the eve of Sunday’s fixture, from Championship 2026.
Wind-assisted Waterford led 0-16 to 0-15 at the turnaround, but Limerick finished with a flourish (2-8 in the last 15 minutes), pushed over the line by a couple of handy goals from Peter Casey and Gearóid Hegarty.
The introductions of Captain Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey, David Reidy, Mike Casey and Colin Coughlan were also key to a win that keeps alive huge silverware aspirations for the Treaty county.
It was far from a vintage display from Limerick.
Reasoned winning manager John Kiely: “The review will be tough in some respects because we did leave Waterford get a run on us at times, and we paid a big price for it.”
“But at the same time, I have to acknowledge the character shown by the lads.
“The calmness and the willingness to grind it out, they stayed patient, stayed calm, stayed focused and got the job done in the finish. I have great regard for what they did out there today.”
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmuid Byrnes 0-1, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes 0-1; Adam English 0-2, Darragh O’Donovan 0-2; Gearóid Hegarty 1-1, Aidan O’Connor 0-8, Cathal O’Neill 0-5; Peter Casey 1-1, Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien 0-2.
Substitutes: Cian Lynch 0-3, Mike Casey for Finn 48, Tom Morrissey, David Reidy, Colin Coughlan.