The Waterford minors are making a habit of rising from the ashes in the most unlikely circumstances. Like last year’s team, drama follows them about at every turn.
Consider the high stack of evidence piled up through the three provincial games to date. In Ennis, they blitzed the hosts with 1-5 in the space of six minutes. Five points in the final quarter just about halted the fourteen man Clare charge at Fraher Field. They still needed Billy Nolan’s amazing reaction times to claim that close shave semi final.
The writing was on the wall several times against the All Ireland favourites on Sunday. Tom Morrissey’s scrambled goal placed Limerick 2-7 to 0-7 in the clear on 23 minutes. Waterford repaired the damage with five on the trot (three from Patrick Curran and two from Aaron O’Sullivan).
Waterford levelled eight minutes into the second half before Brian Ryan’s men got on their bike in the moving quarter. 1-4 over six minutes left their opponents clinging on for dear life. Nine second half wides spared them to some degree as Limerick’s shot selection deserted them. Barry Nash was responsible for four.
Tactical changes also helped most notably when Cormac Curran returned for a second stint at full forward. Late substitute Shane Ryan also made the most of his limited opportunity with a predatory finish as Waterford piled on the pressure. This means that in three games, Derek Lyons has managed to extract a total of 2-2 from his bench. A highly desirable impact at the right time.
The steel in this team to keep going was most admirable as Limerick appeared safe and sound during the second half. “They have been questioned two or three times now and they have come through every single time,” Derek Lyons pointed out. “They have dug down to the bottom of the well for the jersey. They have worn it today with distinction and honour. I don’t think there was another Waterford team that ever gave as much honesty or hard work and they fought to the bitter end. It’s an element of the Waterford game that has been criticised in the past that we haven’t the heart or we haven’t the bottle but by God these lads have it.”
Limerick attempted to pull the Déise out of shape initially by constant rotation. “It took us the bones of twenty minutes to get our bearings out there,” Colm Roche admitted freely. Number six Ronan Lynch was everywhere. He started out at midfield, spent time at full forward and ended up mopping up in front of the full back line. He hit five points (three from play and two frees) and was highly influential similar to last year’s finals.
Waterford settled on a zonal defence as using man markers could have caused untold carnage. They were under severe pressure when Limerick burst through the centre and the breakthrough goal was almost inevitable. Cian Lynch on the right wing was a constant source of danger and his pick up in front of the covered stand emerged as a highlight. He set up 1-2 for those around him. Tom Morrissey proved another nuisance and he combined well with Peter Casey for what appeared the decisive third goal. Centre forward Barry Nash scored 1-1 and loitered around midfield for the second half.
Waterford’s work rate was marvellous to watch. There were examples throughout the field. Conor Gleeson had to sacrifice personal gain to track back and clutter the middle. Patrick Curran intervened in an advanced area during the first half to force a turnover and set up an Aaron O’Sullivan point. Midfielder Andy Molumby embodied that fearless approach and dragged Waterford back into the picture during the first half. Through his piercing runs, he struck two points and forced the foul for the penalty. Shane Bennett ignored a nasty hand injury to produce a steady sixty minutes. He produced a couple of classy moments (including a sideline cut) and finished on four points. He is at his best with his head down and motoring towards goal.
While Billy Nolan was kept occupied at one end, Waterford created goal chances of their own. Shane Bennett saw two close range frees stopped by Eoghan McNamara (including an injury time penalty). Patrick Curran also had a chance that slipped out of his hand.
Limerick lost their composure in the second half. Instead of pushing on, they sat back on their sizeable lead. A final quarter meltdown allowed Waterford outgun them by 2-2 to 0-1. They grew visibly anxious when the comeback kings started pumping high ball on top of Cormac Curran. That cool finish on 50 minutes reopened the investigation. The Brickey Rangers man almost raised a second green flag when he whipped first time but the ball whizzed by the post. It soon became a containment job with Ronan Lynch in the sweeper role. The Déise nearly had to audacity to pinch the game at the death. Conor Gleeson’s late attempt was securely held by the Eoghan McNamara however.
Limerick will feel they should have shut the door. Derek Lyons insisted that Waterford won’t leak those goal chances again and still feels that this team have yet to reach peak performance in this championship. Stay tuned on Tuesday week for the next plot twist.
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