Munster SFC Limerick 1-17 Waterford 1-9 THE MARGIN of their victory undoubtedly flattered them, but Limerick were deserving victors of this hard fought Munster senior football championship semi-final before a 4,000 attendance at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, yesterday.
It was, though, a semi-final not without its controversial moments with Wexford referee Syl Doyle incurring the wrath of the home fans as early as the 13th minute following his decision to brandish a straight red card to midfielder Tommy Prendergast (20). That left Waterford to cope with a numerical disadvantage for almost an hour, and in the heat of the day it was one they had little or no chance of successfully coming to grips with.
To compound their afternoon of woe Waterford ended the game with just 13 players when team captain Tony Grey also received his marching orders in the final minute having earlier been issued with a yellow card.
Prendergast’s sending-off, however, was the single most controversial moment in a game that never quite measured up to expectations. He collided with his Limerick’s James O’Donovan as the pair contested a high ball and instantly O’Donovan fell to the ground clutching his face. Without a moment of hesitation the referee brandished the red card.
Waterford manager John Owen described the dismissal as “very harsh’’ and “not at all representing justice’’. However, Owens said that while the decision had a major bearing on the eventual outcome he would not be hiding behind it in seeking excuses for their defeat.
With O’Donovan and John Galvin exerting an immediate dominance in the middle of the field it was Limerick who made most of the early running. Their first-minute lead point by ace marksman Ger Collins was neutralised inside another minute from a Brian Wall free, but Collins would be the man to sink Waterford hearts with his goal in the fifth minute.
It came when Stephen Kelly’s delivery from near the sideline left defender Kieran Connery and goalkeeper Tom Wall in a muddle and like a flash Collins was on hand to dispatch the ball home.
An exchange of points followed between Collins and Conor McGrath before that defining moment when Prendergast was sent off.
Ironically, however, it was Waterford who reacted best to the situation and within two minutes they were on level terms when Gary Hurney crashed home a superb goal after being put in possession from a pinpoint Robert Aherne pass.
Limerick, though, went on to enjoy a real purple patch with Stephen Lavin, Ian Ryan (two), and Pádraig Browne clipping over points of the purest quality, and they were firmly in the driving seat at the break with a four-point led, 1-8 to 1-4.
All credit to Waterford, however, for a battling second half, which began with half-time substitute Kevin Power reducing their deficit with a point inside 15 seconds. The introduction of Conor Fitzgerald into the Shannonsiders attack reaped an immediate dividend, and his three points, all quality scores, helped considerably in easing the side into next month’s provincial decider.
With the game now beyond Waterford’s reach Limerick finished with a flourish and points by another effective substitute Eoghan O’Connor, Ian Ryan, and Fitzgerald confirmed their deserved and convincing enough victory.
LIMERICK:B Scanlon; M O'Riordan (0-1), J McCarthy, A Lane; S Lavin (0-2), S Lucey, P Ranahan; J O'Donovan, J Galvin; P Browne (0-1), S Kelly (0-1), S Buckley (0-1); G Collins (1-4, 0-4 frees), J Ryan, I Ryan (0-3). Subs:C Fitzgerald (0-3) for J Ryan (49); E O'Connor (0-1) for Kelly (59); E Joy for Browne (61); S Gallagher for Ranahan (66); J Mullane for Buckley (68).
WATERFORD:T Wall; M O'Gorman, T O'Gorman, K Connery; T Grey (0-2), S Briggs, E Walsh; M Ahearne, T Prendergast; C McGrath (0-1), G Hurney (1-0), B Wall (0-4, 0-3 frees); W Hennessy, R Aherne (0-1), L O'Lionain. Subs:C Phelan for Connery (h-t); K Power (0-1) for Ahearne (h-t); J Phelan for Walsh (47); C O'Keeffe for O'Lionain (53); M Donnelly for B Wall (63).
Referee:Syl Doyle (Wexford).
O'Sullivan well chuffed
CHARISMATIC LIMERICK manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan knows well that the Munster final against Cork or Kerry will be an immense challenge. However, he is more than happy in the knowledge that while the “big two’’ must go to a replay to decide who will grace Munster final day, his charges have already booked their home patch oft the Gaelic Grounds.
“Yes of course we have a lot to work on, and it would be fair to say that we didn’t set this place on fire today,’ O’Sullivan said after the game. “We played effectively but not brilliantly, but I thought our defence in particular coped admirably. Believe me there is a lot more in us than was seen out there today.”
The Limerick manager felt his well-disciplined side were ready for any situation, including facing opposition that might have a player sent off. “We had planned for these eventualities and I think our plan worked,’’ he said. “The bottom line is that I am well pleased to be in another Munster final.’’
His Waterford counterpart, John Owens, was insistent that the sending-off of midfielder Tommy Prendergast after just 13 minutes had a decisive bearing on the outcome of the game. Stressing that he is never one to engage in referee bashing, he still thought the official’s decision to issue a straight red card was “extremely harsh’’.
“It was both critical and crucial. There are still the qualifiers, and if we enjoy the luck of the draw with a home game, or two, we could still surprise,” said Owens.
