Limerick minor hurlers set sights on All-Ireland quarter-final battle with Waterford

THE LIMERICK minor hurlers have been drawn against Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter final. Donal O'Grady's side will face Waterford for the second time this year on Sunday at 1pm in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles. 

O'Grady was pleased to see his side bounce back with a victory after suffering three defeats in the Munster MHC.

“Although, overall we would have been disappointed with the Munster championship as far as results wise and maybe performances not being consistent. (Saturday's victory over Wexford) was defintely a step in the right direction for us and a nice little confidence booster for the lads,” said the Limerick minor hurling manager.

'The Deise' defeated Limerick 1-20 to 0-14 in round two of the Munster MHC round-robin series in April. Waterford were defeated narrowly by Cork in the Munster minor hurling final.

O'Grady's charges recorded an impressive 1-20 to 0-15 victory over Wexford in the All-Ireland minor hurling preliminary quarter-final last weekend.

Na Piarsaigh sharpshooter Shane Waters racked up an impressive 0-14, including 0-5 from play, as Limerick, who secured one win in the round robin phase of the Munster championship, deservedly progressed to the next round of the All-Ireland series. 

Monagea's Conor Hough struck for a well-taken second half goal which sealed the Shannonsiders' place into the quarter-finals.
O'Grady has been impressed by the effort his squad has put in over the last number of years.

“We've 36 guys inside with us, it's so hard at times to get them all up to the pitch of it. I must say to a man the effort has been superb in the last number of weeks. It's getting harder for us to pick squads which is a positive and overall it will raise the standards of the lads aswell. I'm happy where we are and looking forward to this weekend.”

The former Limerick senior hurling selector feels the minor grade is an important grade for his players to devleop.

“You've to always plant that seed with them, playing minor championship is the start of it for them. It is tough, championship is ruthless no matter who you are playing. The senior hurlers are massive role models, our lads no doubt look up to them an awful lot.”

Clare face Galway in the other All-Ireland minor hurling quarter-final on Sunday at 3pm in Thurles. Munster champions Cork and Leinster champions Kilkenny await the winners of both Sunday's quarter-finals in the All-Ireland semi-finals.