Resurgent Limerick, strength in numbers and more taking points as Treaty get back to winning ways

In Walsh Park, Limerick picked up their first win of the 209 Munster Hurling Championship with a facile 2-24 to 0-10 win over Waterford.

Limerick had a six point advantage at the break before holding their hosts to just three points in a dominant second half display.

We look back at some of the key talking points to arise from the game.

Industry and work rate key for resurgent Limerick

Limerick were heavily criticised after the Cork game as they retreated from the gameplan that had served them so well during 2018. Although they came into the game cold having had a bye in the opening weekend of fixtures, Limerick’s work rate was far below what we have become accustomed to seeing with Cork’s superior effort paying fruition in their seven point win.

Against Waterford, albeit a Waterford side who have fallen dramatically to the bottom of the Munster hurling rankings, Limerick looked back to their aggressive best as they matched their undoubted skill levels with the necessary work rate.

Last summer, the Limerick half-forward line of Tom Morrissey, Kyle Hayes and Gearoid Hegarty were so central to everything good about Limerick hurling and in Walsh Park they were to the fore. The trio were typically industrious in the opening half, hunting and harassing a Waterford side who were never allowed to get into their rhythm.

By the end of the game the starting half-forward line had amassed 1-5 between them from play with Hegarty getting the goal before being named man of the match. Hegarty and Morrissey were replaced by Shane Dowling and Dave Reidy in the second half and they would add on another 0-6 with Dowling in particular looking razor sharp notching five of those.

Limerick are at their best when they are working hard and in Walsh Park they demonstrated this with a twenty point margin of victory.

Strength in depth on show

Diarmuid Byrnes was one of the unluckiest players to miss out on an All-Star in 2018. The Patrickswell man was one of Limerick’s key men throughout, saving his best form for Croke Park. However, Paddy  O’Loughlin was named in place of Byrnes on Sunday and the team didn’t skip a beat. The young Kilmallock man polished off a brilliant championship debut with two points in a faultless display.

In midfield, another All-Star nominee, Darragh O’Donovan was resigned to the bench and replaced by William O’Donoghue. Once again, the replacement was imperious throughout with O’Donoghue so often the starting point of attack after breaking down any Waterford threat. Such was the Na Piarsaigh man’s performance, O’Donovan when introduced notched a pair of points to send a timely reminder of his talents.

As mentioned above, Dowling and Reidy both scored on their introduction, as did O’Donovan. Limerick’s only other sub Barry Murphy would also get on the scoresheet as Kiely’s strength in depth was on full display. 0-9 of the bench is serious firepower which will be needed next Sunday.

Limerick’s bogey team next up

It was imperative that Limerick got a result in Walsh Park, regardless of the performance, with the season over otherwise. Thankfully Limerick were able to get the win whist performing well as they putt the Cork result fully behind them.

Yet, nothing has changed in relation to the Clare game next Sunday as it is still a must-win. The banner have been a bogey team for Limerick in recent times having beaten the Treaty in each of the last three championships. This will have to change in the Gaelic Grounds next Sunday if Limerick hope to head to Thurles with a chance of qualification.

Clare were badly beaten by Tipperary on Sunday and will come to Limerick wounded. However, this is the exact same situation that Cork came to the Gaelic Grounds in and no on will forget the outcome on this day.

Last summer, Limerick’s clash with Clare was a key turning point in their All-Ireland run, next Sunday should be no different.