Limerick maintain unbeaten start to Munster U-20 championship after win over Waterford

While Waterford finished very strongly, they left themselves with too much to do.

It means the Treaty have three points from two outings, and a win against Clare next weekend will see them progress to the second group phase, where they’ll meet Kerry and Cork among a group of four. Back-to-back losses for Waterford condemns them to the 'B' final, with another clash with Tipperary still to come.

Goals from Senan O’Brien and Diarmuid Hynes had Shane Kelly’s side ahead at half time and they looked certain to take the win, until two late Waterford green flags, and a black card, almost saw them sneak an unlikely draw.

Goals from Mikey O’Brien (penalty) and Michael O’Sullivan saw Gavin Whelan’s charges finish strongly, but the clock ran out with the hosts at sixes and sevens late in this clash. The black card, shown to Jason Hassett, gave Waterford a second penalty, after Sam Pender hit the post with an effort three minutes after half time.

That could have brought the visitors back into the tie after trailing 2-4 to 0-4. Ronan Quirke and midfield duo Emmet Rigter and Darragh Murray were in point scoring form, but Limerick couldn’t press home their dominance.

Waterford had kept in touch through a trio of Rory Fennell scores but were facing a strong wind in the second period.

Their late revival began in the 57th minute, but crucially, Rigter, who has played plenty of Allianz League football at senior level, kicked an insurance score early in stoppage time. This was cashed in when Waterford found a second goal from Michael O’Sullivan, moments after sub John Burton had drilled a shot over from close range.

Scorers for Limerick: S O’Brien 1-0; D Hynes 1-0; R Quirke, D Murray, E Rigter 0-2 each; C Ó Duinn 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: R Fennell 0-3; M O’Brien (pen), M O’Sullivan 1-0 each; S Pender 0-2 (frees); J Bruton 0-1.

Limerick: C MacInnes; C O’Connell, J Hassett, P Downey; J Whelan, A Neville (Capt), M Kilbridge; E Rigter, D Murray; S O’Brien, C Ó Dúinn, B Smith; D Hynes, R Quirke, S Cross.

Subs: R Galligan for Quirke (37); M Nolan for Smith (46); P Murphy for Hynes (50); C O’Mahony for O’Connell, D Clifford for Whelan (both 55).

Waterford: C Moore; R O’Connell, S Byrne, D Behan; C Sloan, M O’Brien, T Martin; M O’Sullivan, D Butler; T Fennell, R Fennell, O Brazil; S O’Rourke, S Pender, K Moloney.

Subs: J Bruton for Moloney, M Power for Gardner (both half-time); S Power for Behan (38); D Murphy for T Fennell (42); A Mansfield for R Fennell (53).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)