Waterford Must Wait For Another Year

All Ireland SHC Semi-final
Limerick 5-11
Waterford 2-15

By Dermot Kavanagh

Waterford's 43-year-long wait to contest an All Ireland final must continue for at least another year. At Croke Park on Sunday the Munster champions fell victims to a fresher, highly charged Limerick side who now find themselves in the final for the first time since 1996.

Until yesterday, Waterford were the hurling team of a year in which the ancient game has reached new heights.

However some observers of the game were less than convinced about the merits of Waterford's last line of defence. It was felt that this line was vulnerable, a weakness that could derail their championship ambitions.

Within the first 16 minutes of the start this apparent weakness became a reality as Donie Ryan in the sixth minute and Andrew O' Shaughnessy in the 16th minute, were allowed solo through the Waterford defence to each raise green flags. Those scores and the manner of their execution gave Limerick the confidence to continue their no-frills hurling that was to be the hallmark of their performance. Several unanswered points followed and by the 22nd minute Limerick had built up a commanding lead of 2-7 to 0-3.

Waterford just couldn't find any momentum and were unable to play with the customary fluency that has been their trademark all year.

Having been in trouble all over the park Waterford found themselves only four points behind at half-time (2-9 to 1-8).

With the deficit now manageable, it looked likely that Waterford were now in a position to justify their favorite status and go on to win the game.

Within two minutes of the restart Waterford's defensive frailties were once again punished when Donie Ryan got on to a Brian Begley pass to the net.

To their credit they once again rallied but some woeful long-range shooting was their undoing. They dominated the play but all they could show for almost 10 minutes of supremacy was one point and 8 wides.

In the 50th minute the goal that they needed did come through sub Eoin McGrath.

By the 64th minute the margin was down to a single point following points by Prendergast and Browne. Just when it appeared that Waterford's experience and passionate desire to make the final would see them through, Limerick somehow managed to create another goal. Full forward Begley was allowed make a high catch close to goal and following a quick turn and run he was brought to the ground inside the small square.

O'Shaughnessy buried the resulting penalty to increase the lead to four points. Once again Waterford responded with points to reduce the gap to two points (4-11 to 2-15).

Twice in the last minute Dan Shanahan missed goal scoring opportunities that on other days he might have converted.

When the long whistle eventually blew Limerick were through and Waterford's wait goes on.

This was a tremendous hurling game, on par with any of the games played earlier this year, this in a year in which hurling has easily surpassed football in regards quality, passion and excitement.

Limerick will pose problems for Kilkenny in the final, particularly if the backbone of the team, Lucey and Geary in defence, O'Brien at midfield and Moran and Begley in the attack, can repeat Sunday's heroics.

Waterford looked tired after their two-game saga against Cork. In spite of not playing to their usual high standard they were very close to snatching a late win.

However they will rue the defensive lapses and the high tally of wides which they shot throughout - 17 against Limerick's 8.

This defeat was Waterford's fifth successive semi-final defeat since 1998. One sincerely hopes that they will not give up the chase, as at their best they are majestic. Sunday was not one of those days.