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Perfect 10 for O'Brien as Limerick advance to Munster semi-final

A strong final quarter gets the Treaty minors over the line.

Limerick 0-19

Waterford 1-7

Tomรกs McCarthy reports from the Gaelic Grounds

PAUL Oโ€™BRIEN DELIVERED 10 points (nine from dead balls) as the Limerick minors shrugged off a sticky Waterford challenge in the final quarter at the Gaelic Grounds.

The lethal marksman from Mungret St Pauls didnโ€™t shoot a wide all evening with Dylan Oโ€™Shea (0-3) and Ronan Connolly (0-2) providing support in attack. Conor Nicholas and Jerome Boylan starred in defence as the Shannonsiders advanced to the provincial semi-finals next month.

Waterford closed to within a point early in the second half mainly through the endeavours of Billy Power. But James Laceyโ€™s charges hit 11 wides and Thomas Douglas pinged the ball off the crossbar at a crucial stage. Five of the six starting forwards were replaced before the full-time whistle.

Waterford were dealt a blow prior to throw-in as full-back James Flavin missed out through injury.

Limerick midfielder Rory Duff snapped the sliotar immediately and split the posts after just seven seconds and Oโ€™Brien, Ronan Connolly and Dylan Oโ€™Shea quickly developed a four-point gap.

The visitors recovered though as Ian Beecher and Billy Power raised white flags.

Seven minutes before the break, Iarlaith Daly was sandwiched by Nicholas and Mikey Oโ€™Brien and referee John McCormack signalled for a penalty. Captain Thomas Douglas billowed the roof of the net with an absolute stinger to level matters (0-5 to 1-2).

The Treaty men claimed the last four points of the half, however. Paul Oโ€™Brien knocked over two frees and a โ€™65 while Oโ€™Shea registered his second single to make it 0-9 to 1-2 in favour of John Mulqueenโ€™s side.

On the change of ends, Power narrowed the gap to two with an early brace before Douglas cracked a shot off the metalwork five minutes into the second half. Another Power double from frees then left only a point between them (0-10 to 1-6).

But the team in green eased the pressure through three unanswered points.

Iarlaith Daly got the Dรฉise back within striking distance heading into the last quarter but it proved to be their final score of the evening.

Jerome Boylan took charge at centre-back and late points by David Woulfe, Connolly and Paul Oโ€™Brien wrapped up a home victory.

Limerick face an away trip to Clare in the last four on 28 June.

Scorers for Limerick: Paul Oโ€™Brien 0-10 (8fs, 1 65โ€™), Dylan Oโ€™Shea 0-3, David Woulfe, Ronan Connolly 0-2 each, Dan Minehan, Rory Duff 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: Billy Power 0-5 (4fs), Thomas Douglas 1-0 (1-0 pen), Iarlaith Daly, Ian Beecher 0-1 each.

Limerick

1. Daithi Heffernan (Mallow)

2. Conor Flahive (Mungret St Pauls)
3. Conor Nicholas (Monaleen)
4. Ciaran Barry (Ahane)

5. Mikey Oโ€™Brien (Doon)
6. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
7. Dan Minehan (Ahane)

8. Michael Oโ€™Grady (Knockainey)
9. Rory Duff (Mungret St Pauls)

10. Paul Oโ€™Riordan (Bruff)
11. Paul Oโ€™Brien (Mungret St Pauls)
12. David Woulfe (Kilmallock)

13. Dylan Oโ€™Shea (Garryspillane)
14. Ronan Connolly (Adare)
15. Ryan Tobin (Garryspillane)

Subs:
22. Brian Oโ€™Grady (Kilteely/Dromkeen) for Mikey Oโ€™Brien (13)
24. Eoin Sheehan (Garryspillane) for Oโ€™Riordan (41)
23. Jack Ryan (Doon) for Duff (41)
19. Calvin Carroll (Patrickswell) for Tobin (48)

Waterford

1. Eoghan Browne (Mount Sion)

18. Dan Booth (Colligan)
17. Matt Noonan (Cappoquin)
4. Tadhg Foley (Ballygunner)

5. Mairtรญn Power (Clonea)
6. Tom Barron (Fourmilewater)
7. Luke Oโ€™Brien (Mount Sion)

8. Sean Whelan-Barrett (Abbeyside)
9. Edward Cullen (Mount Sion)

10. Conor Whelan (Brickey Rangers)
11. Iarlaith Daly (Lismore)
12. Ian Beecher (Tallow)

13. Tom Looby (Abbeyside)
14. Thomas Douglas (De La Salle)
15. Billy Power (Clonea)

Subs:
22. Niall Oโ€™Keeffe (Passage) for Looby (h-t)
24. John Devine (Dungarvan) for Whelan (h-t)
19. Sean Carton (De La Salle) for Douglas (49)
23. Kyle Bennett (Lismore) for Beecher (56)
21. Evan McGrath (Mount Sion) for Power (56)

Referee: John McCormack (Tipperary)

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