A general view of Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
oneills.com Munster U20 Hurling Championship
Waterford 0-16 Limerick 1-13
By Tomás McCarthy at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field
Waterford and Limerick had to settle for a point apiece after a hectic finish to tonight's Munster Under 20 hurling clash in Dungarvan.
In front of 1,367 spectators, the Shannonsiders fought back from seven points down in the second half to stay unbeaten. 1-5 off the subs bench, including 1-3 from Mark O'Brien, saw them finish strongly. The goal was rather fortuitous as O'Brien's long range free bounced into the net. The visitors could even have snatched victory as four chances went astray in injury time.
Waterford's wait for a first win at this grade since 2022 goes on. Four Jack Twomey points (three from play) and six Mark Hartley placed balls left them 0-15 to 0-8 ahead with 40 minutes on the clock. Twomey picked up the man of the match award while Seán Mackey starred at number seven.
They only managed one point over the last 23 minutes of the contest however. It's now 11 matches without a win at Under 20 level.
On a perfect night for hurling, Waterford hit the ground running. The Déise missed six frees against Clare seven days previous, but Mark Hartley stepped up again and nailed his opener from 70 metres out. The Ballygunner teenager converted five first half dead balls.
Wing back Seán Mackey gave a clinic in high fielding as the home side bossed the middle third. The speedy Jack Twomey put over three points from play as the Déise led 11-4 by the 21st minute.
Limerick number seven Darragh Langan dragged his team back into the contest. Two Hugh Flanagan frees and a Donal Coughlan point from play reduced the arrears to five at the break (0-12 to 0-7). The Déise were guilty of five first half wides but defender Cillian Ryan landed a fine long range score.
Hartley added another free on the resumption before Twomey clipped over a sideline cut from in front of the bank. Limerick shot five wides in the third quarter but Robert O'Farrell did fire his third of the evening. Pat Walsh restored Waterford's seven point lead (0-15 to 0-8).
On 44 minutes, a lifeline for Limerick when a long distance free from substitute Mark O'Brien hopped into the net. O'Farrell then set up a point for another Treaty sub Dara Ferland. Only a goal between them all of a sudden.
Waterford reacted with a Michael Morrissey point but Limerick's fresh legs drove them on. Three successful placed balls from O'Brien left just a point between them. Twomey then slipped a pass to Conor Tobin but he batted the ball across the face of goal and wide. Off the puckout, Sean Duff equaluised.
Three minutes of injury time were signalled. Both sides squandered chances in an action packed finish. Limerick hit three wides via O'Brien, Barry Adams and Ferland while O'Farrell struck the post. Morrissey missed twice at the other end.
Scorers for Waterford: Mark Hartley 0-6 (5fs, 1 65), Jack Twomey 0-4 (1 sideline), Michael Morrissey, Pat Walsh, Cillian Ryan, Conor Tobin, Joe McDonnell, Ben O'Sullivan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Mark O'Brien 1-3 (1-2fs, 1 65), Robert O'Farrell, Hugh Flanagan (3fs) 0-3 each, Seán Duff, Dara Ferland, Donal Coughlan, Ruairí O'Connor 0-1 each.
Waterford: Alex Reade (Ballyduff Lower); Daniel Lalor (De La Salle), Fiacra Cooney (Ballygunner), Conor Keane (De La Salle); Cillian Ryan (Brickey Rangers), Aaron O'Neill (Ballygunner), Seán Mackey (Fenor); Joe McDonnell (Tallow), Evanac Spelman (Fourmilewater); Jack Twomey (De La Salle), Mark Hartley (Ballygunner), Cormac Deevey (Brickey Rangers); Ben O'Sullivan (Lismore), Pat Walsh (Fourmilewater), Conor Tobin (Ballygunner).
Subs: Michael Morrissey (Fourmilewater) for Deevey (40), Brian Callaghan (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty) for McDonnell (55), Gearoid Power (Clonea) for O'Sullivan (55), Peter Cummins (Brickey Rangers) for Walsh (60).
Limerick: Fionn O’Brien (Bruree); John Murray (Patrickswell), Seán Casey (Bruff), Dan Scully (Dromin Athlacca); Jack Cosgrave (Ahane), Aidan O’Connell (Doon), Darragh Langan (Monaleen); Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), James Finn (Na Piarsaigh); Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Donal Coughlan (Doon); Tádhg Boddy (Dromin Athlacca), Ruairí O’Connor (Feenagh Kilmeedy), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret St Paul’s).
Subs: Dara Ferland (Monaleen) for Boddy (HT), Mark O'Brien (Mungret St Paul's) for Coughlan (38), Seán Duff (Mungret St Paul's) for Finn (41), Barry Adams (Ballybrown) for O'Connor (47), Owen Meaney (Bruff) for Langan (62).
Referee: John Bugler (Clare).
