Gaelic Games

Clinical Limerick book their place in minor hurling final

Shannonsiders prove too strong for outgunned Leinster champions Dublin

Dublin’s Conor Ryan with Finn Hourigan and Brian Nash of Limerick. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho
Sun Aug 07 2016 - 19:02

Limerick 1-18 Dublin 0-15

Limerick excelled from the outset to deservedly overcome Dublin by five points in the All-Ireland minor hurling semi-final at Croke Park.

Limerick enjoyed a massive nine-point interval lead and although Dublin improved upon the resumption, they never looked likely to reel in their opponents.

The Munster side have shown admirable spirit and ability to bounce back after their Munster final trimming at the hands of Tipperary.

Limerick seized the early initiative through points from Kyle Hayes and Finn Hourigan before Brian Ryan doubled that advantage with a brace of frees.

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Poor wides

In contrast, Dublin looked edgy with four poor wides in the opening ten minutes reflecting their collective unease and they were indebted to goalkeeper Dara De Poire for denying Ryan from close range with a sharp block.

However, Limerick’s Cian Magnier-Flynn first-timed to the net in the 13th minute after Ryan’s point attempt had dropped short.

Ciarán O’Connor was proving hugely effective in a withdrawn defensive role at this stage as Limerick continued to dominate through frees from goalkeeper Mark O’Kelly and Ryan.

That Dublin’s first score from play arrived as late as the 20th minute through wing-back Eoin Foley was an accurate assessment of the difficulties that the Leinster champions were experiencing as they fell further behind following points from Ryan and Anthony Barrett.

Despite Dublin points from Johnny McGuirk and Ciarán Dowling, their defence was being pulled asunder as they conceded scores to Ryan and Hayes as Limerick enjoyed a healthy 1-13 to 0-7 interval lead.

That margin was quickly eroded upon the resumption with Dublin looking to improve on their first-half showing as Currie landed three frees to complement a score from play by Conor Burke.

Conor Ryan was winning loose ball for Dublin as substitute Daire Gray added another point to trim their deficit to six points by the 40th minute. But they failed to build on that platform as Ryan’s impeccable free-taking at the opposite end ensured Limerick a buffer that they never looked likely to relinquish.

LIMERICK: M O'Kelly; B Nash, C Nicholas, R Connelly; J Adams, J Boylan, F Hourigan (0-1); C O'Connor, D Carroll; M O'Grady, A Barrett (0-2), C Boylan (0-2); B Ryan (0-11, nine frees), K Hayes (0-1), C Magnier-Flynn (1-1). Subs: J Flynn for Carroll (46), D Woulfe for Barrett (49), P O'Riordan for Magnier-Flynn (58).

DUBLIN: D De Poire; D Hawkshaw, P Smyth, D Ryan; J McVeigh, C O'Sullivan, E Foley (0-1); C Ryan, D Keogh; D Burke, J McGuirk (0-2, one free), C Burke (0-1); R Hayes, C Dowling (0-2), C Currie (0-8, six frees, two '65's). Subs: D Gray (0-1) for Keogh and J Walsh for Hayes (ht), J O'Neill for McVeigh (48), P Feeney for C Currie (49), S Currie for McGuirk (54). 

Referee: Justin Heffernan