Limerick senior camogie team suffer Munster championship defeat to Waterford

THE Limerick senior camogie team came up short against Waterford in the Munster championship quarter-final. There was a massive amount of positives for the way Limerick battled considering last year Waterford competed in the All-Ireland final, while Limerick retained their senior status by winning a relegation final

Waterford's ruthlessness in front of goal proved to be the difference between the sides.

Limerick registered the first score of the day through a Caoimhe Costello placed ball on two minutes. Soon after that Caoimhe Lyons was fouled inside the small square and the home side were awarded a penalty. Caoimhe Costello stepped up and her penalty was saved by Waterford goalkeeper Brianna O'Regan. 

It took Waterford awhile to settle two frees from Beth Carton and a neat point courtesy of Lorraine Bray had the visitors leading 0-3 to 0-2 on 11 minutes. 

A good run from Caoimhe Lyons saw the Monaleen attacker make no mistake in front of the goal to leave the minimum between the sides. 

The Deise added the next three points from from two more Beth Carton frees and Carton then made a powerful run down the centre to have last years All-Ireland finalists leading 0-6 to 0-2 at the break. 

Joe Quaid's side were working hard all over pitch but ultimately couldn't make their dominance count in the opening half. 

On 31 minutes, Beth Carton found Niamh Rockett in space and Rockett split the posts which was quickly by a Carton free once again to push them 0-8 to 0-2 ahead. 

The lively Caoimhe Lyons responded to keep the shannonsiders within touching distance. Caoimhe Costello was off the mark with a 45 to bring Limerick back into the game leaving the scores at 0-8 - to 0-4. 

Niamh Rockett was beginning to cause the Limerick defence issues and on 46 minutes the victors were six points ahead. Limerick failed to score between the 39th and 52nd minutes but Caoimhe Costello then landed a long range point to make it a five point game. 

Beth Carton and Caoimhe Costello swapped scores, Waterford led 0-11 to 0-6 with four minutes of normal time remaining. Lorraine Bray hit the insurance score on 62 minutes and Jerry Wallace's side hung on for a six-point victory. 

Limerick's Munster championship campaign has now came to an end but Joe Quaid can take a massive amount of positives heading into All-Ireland series. Waterford will now face Tipperary in the Munster semi-final.

Scorers: Limerick: Caoimhe Costello 0-4(0-2 frees, 0-1 45), Caoimhe Lyons 0-2. Waterford: Beth Carton 0-7 (0-6 frees), Niamh Rockett 0-3 and Lorraine Bray 0-2.

Limerick: Ciara Mulqueen (Crecora), Teresa Dore (Patrickswell), Marian Quaid (Bruff), Cliodhna Ryan (Doon), Ciara O'Riordan (Blackrock/Effin), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Orlaith Keleher (Croagh/Kilfinny), Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret St Pauls), Caoimhe Costello (Adare), Sophie O'Callaghan (Adare), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West), Niamh Ryan (St Ailbes), Dearbhla Egan (Crecora), Laura Fennelly (Cappamore), Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen). Subs: Lizanna Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Sophie O'Callaghan half-time, Aine Reynolds (Ahane) for Niamh Ryan (43 minutes), Sarah Cosgrove for Laura Fennelly (50 minutes).

Waterford: Brianna O'Regan, Keeley Corbett Barry, Laoise Forrest, Alannah McNulty, Tara Power, Clodagh Carroll, Bevan Bowdren, Lorraine Bray, Rachael Walsh, Aine Power, Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Orla Hickey, Roisin Kirwan, Annie Fitzgerald. Subs: Sarah Lacey for Aine Power (43 minutes), Alannah O'Sullivan for Annie Fitzgerald (43 minutes), Kate Lynch for Roisin Kirwan (43 minutes).