A general view of TUS Gaelic Grounds. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Munster MHC
Cork 2-25 Limerick 0-21
Waterford 1-16 Tipperary 0-17
Cormac Spain scored the winning points as Waterford claimed a landmark victory away to All-Ireland champions Tipperary to open their Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship.
Ballygunner star Spain finished with 1-9 to his name, including 1-4 from play, in front of 2,520 spectators at FBD Semple Stadium.
The goal arrived after three minutes as Tommy Kennedy grabbed the sliotar to feed Spain, whose clinical finish got the Déise off to an ideal start.
They maintained that cushion to the break despite the best efforts of free-taker Jack Cahill, son of senior boss Liam, and Thurles CBS prodigy Euan Murray (0-4).
It was 1-7 to 0-7 at that juncture, but Tipp clicked into gear with eight points in a row, as Cahill brought his personal tally to 0-7. It could’ve been more but for James Comerford saving from Tommy O’Meara.
Having failed to score for 18 minutes, Waterford rallied, led by Spain. He won possession for the lead score in the 58th minute and added the insurance point in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, there were also away winners at TUS Gaelic Grounds as Cork emerged with a 10-point victory over Limerick; 2-25 to 0-21.
Cormac Deane, son of Cork legend Joe, got them off to a good start but the scores were well shared around between Deane (1-4), Craig O’Sullivan (0-6, 2 frees), Ryan Dineen, and Eoghan O’Shea (0-4 each).
Limerick were spearheaded by 0-11 (7 frees) from Shane Waters as they closed the gap approaching half-time. However, Deane fed Ruairc Donovan to rattle the net for a 1-13 to 0-10 half-time lead.
Limerick battled back within one score a couple of times but their hopes faded when Deane skipped into space for his 51st-minute goal.
