Limerick U20 footballers defeated by Waterford in thrilling Munster Championship clash in Rathkeale

THE Limerick U20 footballers have been defeated by Waterford on a scoreline of 4-11 to 2-7 in their Munster Championship Phase One Round One tie at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale. 

Both sides struggled to deal with the windy elements early on and the first chance of the day came after four minutes when a David Nyland pass found midfielder Daithí Colleran in front of the Limerick goal.

The Waterford midfielder attempted to flick Nyland's pass into the net but his effort drifted just wide.

The first score of the day came after seven minutes when Limerick centre-forward Liam Glynn kicked over a fine individual effort. 

Andrew Lyons doubled Limerick's lead a minute later, curling over an effort from close-range.

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The visitors levelled proceedings in the tenth minute when full-forward Paddy McCarthy nailed a long-range two pointer.

Limerick regained their two-point advantage when centre-back Andrew Kearney struck a distance free beautifully off the ground, Limerick now leading 0-4 to 0-2. 

Yet again, the Déise levelled proceedings with another two-pointer. This time it was Joe Brennan who kicked an effort expertly over the bar, leaving the sides level after 16 minutes. 

Waterford took the lead after 22 minutes, notching yet another two-pointer. Midfielder Daithí Coleran, who had threatened a green flag early on, struck a real beauty off the outside of his boot to give the visitors a two-point cushion.

Joe Brennan slotted over minutes later to give Paul Power's side a three-point lead as half-time approached. 

Wing-forward Ben Qualter made it a double score game on 29 minutes, making it 0-8 to 0-4 with a well taken score. 

Half-time came at the wrong time for the visitors as they added on a couple of scores in injury time to give them a comfortable 0-10 to 0-4 lead at the interval.

The first score of the second half came after 40 minutes. Half-time substitute Callum Kiely's 45 effort dropped dangerously short and the ball was flicked home by midfielder Aidan O'Shea, whose presence caused consternation in and around the Waterford goal-mouth, leaving three points between the sides. 

Limerick's three-pointer was cancelled out minutes later when Paul Bagnell's pointed effort dropped short and evaded the gloves of goalkeeper Cian Purcell. Waterford regained their three-point advantage once again, 1-10 to 1-4 after 43 minutes. 

Limerick's chances took yet another blow with ten minutes remaining when corner-back Owen Dee was given a second yellow card, reducing the home side to 14 players for the last ten minutes of play. 

Joe Brennan added his fifth of the game via a well-taken free on 54 minutes to stretch the Déise's advantage to seven.

Mungret St Paul's Conor Ó'Longaigh replied swiftly for the Treaty County to leave the scoreline at 1-11 to 1-5 with five minutes to play.

Waterford strengthened their command of the game on 58 minutes when Joe Brennan concluded a fine individual display by dispatching a penalty into the top corner, taking his personal tally to 1-5.

To Limerick's credit, they never gave in and replied with a goal of their own minutes later through Callum Kiely, who showed some real composure to slot home for the hosts. 

Captain Pádraic Phelan then slotted over a fine two-point effort soon after to reduce the deficit to four points, 2-11 to 2-7 as the game entered injury time.

Conor Mangan had the chance to reduce the deficit to one late on but his fisted effort on goal was well held by goalkeeper Conor Drohan.

Waterford well and truly put what was a frantic final ten minutes to bed when Corey Lyons and Callum Royle raised two green flags late on leaving the final score at 4-11 to 2-7.

Next up for Limerick is a trip to the Premier County next weekend where they will face Tipperary.

SCORERS: LIMERICK: Aidan O'Shea 1-0, Callum Kiely 1-0, Pádraic Phelan 0-2 (2p), Andrew Kearney 0-2 (2p), Liam Glynn 0-1, Andrew Lyons 0-1, Conor Ó'Longaigh 0-1

WATERFORD: Joe Brennan 1-5 (2p)(2f), Paul Bagnell 1-0, Corey Lyons 1-0, Callum Royle 1-0, Paddy McCarthy 0-2 (2p), Daithí Colleran 0-2 (2p), Ben Qualter 0-1, David Nyhan 0-1, 

LIMERICK: Cian Purcell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Owen Dee (Cappagh), Matthew O'Connor (Fr Casey's), Danny McCarthy (Fr Casey's), Samuel Colgan (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), Andrew Kearney (Monaleen), Stepehn Kearney (St Senan's), Aidan O'Shea (Cappagh), Evan Curry (Athea), Conor Ó Longaigh (Mungret St Paul's), Liam Glynn (Ahane), Cian Costelloe (Cappagh), Andrew Lyons (Newcastle West), Padraic Phelan (Pallasgreen), Shane O'Grady (Oola)

SUBS: Barry Griffin (Monaleen) for Cian Costelloe (HT), Callum Kiely (Claughaun) for Andrew Lyons (HT), Paudie Hennessy (Camogue Rovers) for Samuel Colgan 38 minutes), Conor Mangan (Mungret St Paul's) for Matthew O'Connor (50 minutes), Michael Mulcahy (St Senan's) for Stephen Kearney (50 minutes). 

WATERORD: Conor Drohan (Rathgormack), Niall Fahey (Rathgormack), Ben Bolan (St Saviours), Corey Lyons (Dungarvan), David Nyhan (Brickey Rangers), Fergal O'Brien (Gaultier), Darragh Jacob (JC) (St Saviours), Diarmuid Mackle (Ballinacourty), Daithí Colleran (Brickey Rangers), Ben Qualter (An Rinn), Justin Foley (Affane/Cappoquin/Tourin), Aaron Curran (Stradbaly), Joe Brennan (Tramore), Paddy McCarthy (JC) (Brickey Rangers), Paul Bagnell (Tramore)

SUBS: Callum Royle (Brickey Rangers) for Justin Foley (46 minutes), Ciarán Power (Rathgormack) for Diarmuid Mackle (55 minutes), James Hickey (Modeligo) for Ben Qualter (55 minutes), Ciarán Power (Rathgormack) for Joe Brennan (60 minutes) 

REFEREE: Seán Joy (Kerry)