WATCH: Limerick cruise to Allianz Hurling League Final win over Waterford

Limerick are Allianz Hurling League Division 1 champions for the first time in 22 years after a comprehensive 1-24 to 0-19 win over Waterford at Croke Park.

Aaron Gillane top scored for John Kiely’s men with a scoring total of 1-9, five of which came from play.

Limerick led by five points at the end of a pulsating first half and continued to dominate proceedings after the break with Peter Casey, Gillane and Gearoid Hegarty proving too much for the Waterford defence to handle.

Stephen Bennett was Waterford’s scorer in chief and proved a big danger in the opening 35 minutes, but was well marshalled by Sean Finn in the second half.

Limerick made a fast start to the game with Gillane helping his side into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead after just 13 minutes.

Bennett helped Waterford reduced that lead to two points by the 20 minute mark, but Gillane’s sensational flick from a Tom Morrissey delivery saw Limerick go in 1-12 to 0-10 ahead at the break.

Limerick’s dominance continued in the second half with Casey, Gillane and Declan Hannon all on target in the early stages.

Shane Dowling and Seamus Flanagan also made impressive cameos from the bench as Limerick cruised to an eight point victory.

Scorers – Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-9 (4f), Gearoid Hegarty and Peter Casey 0-3 each, Cian Lynch and Shane Dowling (1f) 0-2 each, Darragh O’Donovan (1 s/l), Tom Morrissey, Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon and Seamus Flanagan 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Tom Condon, Sean Finn, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Cian Lynch, Darragh O’Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Peter Casey, Graeme Mulcahy.

Subs: Mike Casey for Condon (h-t), Seamus Flanagan for Mulcahy (57), Barry Murphy for Gillane (64), Shane Dowling for T Morrissey (64), Paddy O’Loughlin for Hannon (69).