Limerick U20 hurling team get their first win of the Munster Championship against Waterford

LIMERICK have registered their first win in the O.Neill's.com U20 Munster Hurling Championship after beating Waterford on a scoreline of 0-20 to 1-16 in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale this Friday evening. 

Waterford looked well up for the game with a score straight away off the throw-in from full forward Patrick Fitzgerald. This opening point was complimented by another fine long range effort from Marc Mahony after two minutes. 

All looked to be going downhill as Waterford's Jack Twomey netted a fantastic solo goal after only five minutes putting them 1-2 to 0-1 ahead.

Limerick looked slightly shell shocked after three quick scores from the visitors but a point after five minutes from Robert O'Farrell steadied the nerves and set the Treaty men alight as they went on to score a following two points from play through Vince Harrington and Shane O'Brien.

The home side found their rhythm as they pushed on attacking from deep in their own half with their forwards making confident moves away from their markers to get free and add to the scoreline. 

Five points were scored by Limerick before the 20 minute mark, compared to Waterford's two which made the difference in the opening half. 

The Déise county struggled to find a score after this time with only one point from a Patrick Fitzgerald free being their only score as Limerick battled hard to get ahead on the scoreboard. 

Limerick worked well as a unit in the final 10 minutes of the half with fabulous points from play from Oisín O'Farrell and captain Cian Scully helped Limerick to a four-point advantage at half-time leaving them 0-14 to 1-7 ahead.

Compared to the scoring frenzy in the first-half both sides struggled with wides in the final 30 minutes of the game as both sides battled to secure their first win in the Munster Championship.

Limerick's Oisín O'Farrell opened the scoring tally in the second-half quickly answered by a Patrick Fitzgerald free. Waterford's Fitzgerald was their main man in this half scoring seven points from frees to keep them within touching distance of their Limerick rivals. Waterford remained in the game after 50 minutes of play 1-12 to 0-17. 

Limerick were not shaken by the Waterford rally as Cian Scully and Con Hayes stepped up to the mark to slot over two vital frees. Despite Patrick Fitzgerald's efforts from frees he was unable to get his side ahead at any stage in the second-half as the home side got their one-point victory over line with a final score from captain Scully. 

The scoreline finished 0-20 to 1-16 in Limerick's favour. 

LIMERICK SCORERS: Oisín O'Farrell 0-6 (0-2 frees), Cian Scully 0-6 (0-2 frees), Shane O'Brien 0-4, Vince Harrington 0-2, Robert O'Farrell and Con Hayes 0-1 each. 

WATERFORD: Patrick Fitzgerald 0-11 (0-9 frees), Jack Twomey 1-1, Marc Mahony, Rory Dobbyn, Sean Mackey and Michael Morrissey 0-1 each

LIMERICK: Pierce Connery (Kilmallock), William Dore (Dromin/Athlacca), Darragh Langan (Monaleen), David Fitzgerald (Kildimo/Pallakenry), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Sean Casey (Bruff), Cian Scully (C) (Dromin/Athlacca), Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Robert O'Farrell (Kildimo/Pallakenry), Con Hayes (Newcastle West), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret/St Pauls), Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), Oisín O'Farrell (Askeaton/Kilcornan Desmonds) SUBS: Jack Fitzgibbon (Dromin/Athlacca) for M Fitzgerald (46 minutes), John English (Garryspillane) for R O'Farrell (52 minutes), Tádgh Boddy (Bruff) for H Flanagan (56 minutes)

WATERFORD: Cian Troy, Cillian Ryan, Daniel Lalor, Mikey Burke, Aaron O'Neill, Billy O'Connell, Rory Dobbyn, Sean Mackey, Conor Keane, Conor Tobin, Marc Mahony, Brian Callaghan, Jack Twomey, Patrick Fitzgerald, Michael Morrissey. SUBS: Charlie Treen for C Tobin (42 minutes), Joseph O'Keefe for M Morrissey (54 minutes),  Jack O'Donnell for B Callaghan (58 minutes),  Jack Power for M Mahony (59 minutes)

REFEREE: Simon Stokes (Cork)