CONOR COONEY FOUND the net again as Galway advanced to the NHL final with a ten-point victory over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
When these sides met at the same venue in Round 5 on March 26 Galway were 0-24 to 1-18 victors.
Micheal Donoghue’s side were too good once again, and they were very impressive especially in the second-half, when they put the result beyond doubt after Cooney’s 56th minute strike.
Galway, who have not won the league since 2010, should have led by more than 0-13 to 1-5 at half-time, and only for William O’Donoghue’s goal, Limerick would have been in real trouble.
Cathal Mannion and Shane Dowling (free) were on target early on for their respective sides but Galway took over and when Conor Cooney slotted his third point they held a 0-7 to 0-3 lead after 17 minutes.
But O’Donoghue profited from the hard-work of his midfield partner David Dempsey, who set up his goal chance three minutes later.
The Na Piarsaigh man finished to the net and Limerick were only one point behind, but Galway scored three points in a row through Johnny Coen and two Joe Canning frees.
Shane Dowling got Limerick’s first point since the 13th minute when he scored a free four minutes before half-time, but Galway extended their lead.
And Cathal Mannion’s third score of the game left them five points clears at half-time.
Limerick haven’t been league champions in 20 years but three Dowling points, and a Barry Nash effort had them right in contention to reach the final.
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However after that it was all Galway, Canning began to find his range again, and man of the match Cooney goaled after a pass from Gearoid McInerney.
Substitutes:
25. Thomas Monaghan (Gort) for Brehony (54)
17. Paul Killeen (Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry) for Hanbury (55)
24. Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree) for J Cooney (63)
22. Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins) for Whelan (66)
19. Sean Loftus (Turloughmore) for David Burke (68)
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
2. Richie English (Doon)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
Substitutes:
19. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock) for Hannon (16)
18. Sean Finn (Bruff) for Hickey (38)
23. Barry Nash (South Liberties) for Mulcahy (48)
21. John Fitzgibbon (Adare) for D Dempsey (53)
20. James Ryan (Garryspillane) for A Demspey (53)
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).
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Conor Cooney's 1-4 leads Galway past Limerick and to their first hurling league final since 2010
Galway 2-21
Limerick 2-11
Declan Rooney reports from the Gaelic Grounds
CONOR COONEY FOUND the net again as Galway advanced to the NHL final with a ten-point victory over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
When these sides met at the same venue in Round 5 on March 26 Galway were 0-24 to 1-18 victors.
Micheal Donoghue’s side were too good once again, and they were very impressive especially in the second-half, when they put the result beyond doubt after Cooney’s 56th minute strike.
Galway, who have not won the league since 2010, should have led by more than 0-13 to 1-5 at half-time, and only for William O’Donoghue’s goal, Limerick would have been in real trouble.
Cathal Mannion and Shane Dowling (free) were on target early on for their respective sides but Galway took over and when Conor Cooney slotted his third point they held a 0-7 to 0-3 lead after 17 minutes.
But O’Donoghue profited from the hard-work of his midfield partner David Dempsey, who set up his goal chance three minutes later.
The Na Piarsaigh man finished to the net and Limerick were only one point behind, but Galway scored three points in a row through Johnny Coen and two Joe Canning frees.
Shane Dowling got Limerick’s first point since the 13th minute when he scored a free four minutes before half-time, but Galway extended their lead.
And Cathal Mannion’s third score of the game left them five points clears at half-time.
Limerick haven’t been league champions in 20 years but three Dowling points, and a Barry Nash effort had them right in contention to reach the final.
However after that it was all Galway, Canning began to find his range again, and man of the match Cooney goaled after a pass from Gearoid McInerney.
Scorers – Galway: C Cooney 1-4, J Canning 0-7 (0-6f), C Mannion 0-4, C Whelan 0-2, P Mannion 0-1, J Coen 0-1, David Burke 0-1, Thomas Monaghan 0-1.
Scorers – Limerick: S Dowling 0-5 (0-4f), W O’Donoghue 1-0, B Nash 0-2, D Dempsey 0-1, D Byrnes 0-1, C Lynch 0-1, J Fitzgibbon 0-1.
Galway
1. Colm Callanan (Kinvara)
2. Adrian Tuohy (Beagh)
3. John Hanbury (Rahoon-Newcastle)
4. Aidan Harte (Gort)
5. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh)
6. Gearoid McInerney (Oranmore-Maree)
7. Daithi Burke (Turloughmore)
8. Johnny Coen (Loughrea)
9. David Burke (St Thomas’)
12. Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields)
11. Joe Canning (Portumna)
10. Padraig Brehony (Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry)
13. Conor Whelan (Kinvara)
14. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh)
15. Conor Cooney (St Thomas’)
Substitutes:
25. Thomas Monaghan (Gort) for Brehony (54)
17. Paul Killeen (Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry) for Hanbury (55)
24. Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree) for J Cooney (63)
22. Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins) for Whelan (66)
19. Sean Loftus (Turloughmore) for David Burke (68)
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
2. Richie English (Doon)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6. Declan Hannon (Adare)
7. Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher)
8. Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
9. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)
10. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
11. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
12. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick’s)
15. Graeme Mulcahy (Patrickswell)
14. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
13. Cian Lynch (Kilmallock)
Substitutes:
19. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock) for Hannon (16)
18. Sean Finn (Bruff) for Hickey (38)
23. Barry Nash (South Liberties) for Mulcahy (48)
21. John Fitzgibbon (Adare) for D Dempsey (53)
20. James Ryan (Garryspillane) for A Demspey (53)
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).
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easy victory GAA Galway Limerick