UNDERAGE hurling in Limerick has been given a timely boost with the qualification of the minors for an All-Ireland Championship Final with Tipperary on the weekend after next.
This fine side advanced to the showdown courtesy of a terriffic 1-26 (29) to 1-15 (1-18) win over fancied Galway, winners of the Leinster Championship Final against Kilkenny, at Cusack Park, Ennis.
Aided by an early goal of brilliance from Xavier Nelligan, the Shannonsiders always had the measure of their opponents.
Limerick were 1-12 to 0-9 ahead at the interval, and eventually came through with more than plenty to spare.
As ever, captain Shane Waters led the scoring brigade with a haul of nine points, while Nelligan (1-2), Rian Horgan (0-5), Eamon O’Sullivan (0-3), Zach Bennis (0-2) and Ryan Foley (0-2) also contributed handsomely.
Of possible concern is an injury picked-up by Nelligan on Saturday evening.
In the other semi, Tipp swept past Cork, 5-18 (33) to 2-19 (25) at the Gaelic Grounds.
It’s 10 years since Limerick last reached the Final, one which ended with a narrow loss to Tipp at Croke Park.
That Treaty XV included the likes of Barry Nash (South Liberties) and Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), who have since risen to massive stardom in the ancient game.
Limerick have just three All-Ireland titles to their credit, secured in 1940 – the county’s only Senior/Minor Double – ‘58 and ‘84.
The Shannonside manager is Diarmuid Mullins, himself the winner of back-to-back All-Ireland Minor Football Championshp medals with his native Laois in 1996/’97.
He is a nephew of GAA Legend Brian Mullins (Dublin).
Limerick: Sam Collins (Crecora/Manister); Rowan Collins (Adare), William Ryan (Murroe/Boher), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey); John O’Riordan (Bruff), Conor Ryan (Monaleen), Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell); Xavier Nelligan (Kilmallock), Jack Roche (Blackrock); Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Ryan Foley (Patrickswell), Shane Waters, captain, (Na Piarsaigh); Eamon O’Sullivan (Adare), Zach Bennis (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Rian Horgan (Murroe/Boher).
Substitutes used: Paul Collins (Tournafulla), Gavin O’Brien (Kilmallock), John Ross O’Reilly (Ballybrown), Donagh Horgan (Murroe/Boher), Cian Hickey (Crecora/Manister).