Waterford 2-20 Limerick 2-10:HURLING'S TALE of woe for Limerick's beleaguered manager Justin McCarthy continued yesterday as his side crashed to a third successive league defeat at the hands of Waterford at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
The early signs were encouraging for McCarthy's men but in the end there would be no happy return to his old stomping ground as Waterford took complete control to run out clear-cut winners.
A brace of goals inside the opening quarter of an hour from Paudie McNamara and Brian O'Sullivan gave Limerick a dream start and they led by seven points after 23 minutes.
Limerick goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn was involved in an accidental collision with Eoin McGrath in the 16th minute and having been attended by the medics for several more minutes he was eventually removed by ambulance to the Waterford Regional Hospital, the hold-up lasting 15 minutes.
By half-time Waterford had managed to retire on level terms, 1-7 to 2-4, thanks in the main to Eoin Kelly's goal from a 20-metre free in the 31st minute.
Within four minutes of the restart Waterford had raced into a five-point lead that included a superbly taken goal finish by Kevin Moran. John Mullane was introduced for the second half and it was from a foul on Mullane that Kelly gave Waterford the lead for the first time within 60 seconds of the restart, while the ex-All Star notched one of the points of the game himself in the 56th minute.
With Séamus Prendergast also chipping in with a brace of beauties, the experienced duo made an impressive return to action.The excellent Richie Foley, Prendergast, Mullane and a hitherto subdued Maurice Shanahan added points as Waterford pulled clear.
WATERFORD:C Hennessy; E Murphy, M O'Brien, N Connors; A Kearney, S O'Sullivan. J Nagle; E Kelly (1-10, 1-7 frees, one 65). R Foley (0-2); T Connors, K Moran (1-2), S Molumphy; E McGrath, S Walsh, M Shanahan (0-3). Subs: S Prendergast (0-2) for T Connors (27 mins); J Mullane (0-1) for McGrath(half time); T Ryan for Molumphy(54); O. Whelan for Walsh(63);
LIMERICK:T Flynn; D Lynch, D Kenny, S O'Neill; L O'Dwyer, A Brennan, D Madden; N Quaid (0-1), P Browne (0-1); B O'Sullivan (1-2, one free), J O'Brien, C Mullane (0-1); G Mulcahy, P McNamara (1-0), A O'Connor (0-2, frees). Subs; B Hennessy for Flynn, inj(18mins); T O'Brien (0-3, three frees) for O'Connor (32 mins); P Harty for Mullane (49); R McKeogh for Mulcahy (61 mins), M Deegan for Madden (69).
Referee:Johnny Ryan, Tipperary.
Hurling Impasse
The Limerick County Board issued a statement at the weekend in which they said they "have received correspondence from five clubs requesting a special meeting of the Limerick County Board, however the letters did not propose any motion to be discussed at the proposed meeting.
"The management committee is anxious to progress the meeting and with this in mind the county secretary has written to all clubs outlining the situation and the required procedure.
"When the notice of motion is received the meeting will be held at the very earliest opportunity. Limerick County Board understand the gravity of the situation and the secretary is available to assist any club in drafting the motion."
The Limerick County Board issued a statement at the weekend in which they said they “have received correspondence from five clubs requesting a special meeting of the Limerick County Board, however the letters did not propose any motion to be discussed at the proposed meeting.
“The management committee is anxious to progress the meeting and with this in mind the county secretary has written to all clubs outlining the situation and the required procedure.
“When the notice of motion is received the meeting will be held at the very earliest opportunity. Limerick County Board understand the gravity of the situation and the secretary is available to assist any club in drafting the motion.”
