Late scoring difference drama sees Limerick miss out in Minor Football

When the final whistle blew at Mick Neville Park on Monday evening, it seemed Limerick had done enough to book their place in the Phase One final. A second successive home win, this time against Waterford, looked set to edge them ahead of Tipperary.

However, a dramatic late twist in Templetuohy saw the Premier County snatch a crucial last-minute penalty, and with a slender scoring difference of just three points, it will instead be Clare and Tipperary who meet in next Monday’s decider. Clare’s late collapse ultimately dashed Limerick’s hopes, despite their earlier win over Tipp.

Michael Lenihan’s side will reflect ruefully on missed opportunities, particularly a penalty miss from Jamie Crowley and a late goal conceded to the outstanding Ronan O’Hora, which dented their scoring margin. Limerick finished Phase One with a +4 scoring difference, while Tipperary’s ten-point win over Waterford saw them three points better off.

After a slow opening, Ben Kiely struck Limerick’s first goal six minutes in, set up cleverly by Crowley. At half-time, Limerick led 1-6 to 0-7, with Waterford staying in touch thanks largely to the efforts of O’Hora, supported by points from Oisín Hallahan and Tom Lynch.

Crowley had the chance to push Limerick further ahead early in the second half, but his penalty effort struck the upright and went wide. Though Limerick remained in control, the need to build a bigger winning margin became increasingly urgent.

They seemed on course after a second goal moved them seven clear, and Ryan Sheehan added a two-point score soon after. However, O’Hora’s late goal and another point from Lynch pegged Limerick back slightly. Jake Higgins’ stoppage-time point sealed a seven-point win, but news soon filtered through of Dylan McCormack’s decisive penalty deep into added time for Tipperary.

Waterford now join Limerick in the All-Ireland ‘C’ series, while Clare and Tipperary advance to face Cork and Kerry in the Munster semi-finals.

Scorers for Limerick: J Crowley 1-5 (0-2 frees); B Kiely 1-0; R Sheehan 0-5 (1tp; 0-2 frees); O Healy 0-2; A O’Kelly, J Higgins 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: T Lynch 0-3 (0-2 frees); R O’Hora 1-4, A Curran 0-1, O Hallahan 0-1; A Ryan 0-1

Limerick: J Noonan (Dromcollogher Broadford); M Cox (Ballybricken Bohermore), R Butler (Ahane), A Bohane (Mungret St. Paul’s); A Murphy (Fr. Casey’s), M Vang (Cappagh), J Higgins (Kildimo Pallaskenry); K Lonergan (Glin, Capt), S Gill (Ahane); A O’Kelly (Fr. Casey’s), R Sheehan (Dromcollogher Broadford), O Healy (St. Senan’s); B Kiely (Monaleen), J Crowley (Monaleen), E Williams (Monaleen).

Subs: P Ryan (Oola) for Williams (37); D Moloney (Castlemahon) for Kiely (50); E Crowley (Fr. Casey’s) for Lonergan (53); J Browne (Fr. Casey’s) for Cox (55); R Downey for O’Kelly (58)

Waterford: D Walsh (Dungarvan); J Kiely (Rathgormac), H Scanlan (Gaultier), S Woods-Wyse (St. Saviours); M Barry (Tramore), C Lyons (Dungarvan), L Higgins (Dunhill); A Ryan (The Nire), R O’Hora (Kilgobnet); A Curran (Stradbally), E O’Reilly (Gaultier), P Bagnell (Tramore); O Hallahan (Dungarvan), T Lynch (Rathgormac), R Sullivan (Newtown).

Subs: A Phelan (Ballyduff Lower) for ; C Boyle (Brickey Rangers) for Bagnall (52); C Sullivan (Newtown) for R Sullivan and D Ryan (The Nire) for Higgins  (both 58); D Crotty (Rathgormac) for Woods-Wise (60)

Referee: Gary Twomey (Clare)