If you’d told Limerick boss John Kiely before throw-in that Galway’s senior forwards Jason Flynn, Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan would muster just three points from play between them, he’d have taken that.
Flynn did try hard for the Tribesmen, contributing four points from placed balls, a sideline cut and two from play but Mannion and Whelan were more subdued.
Whelan did score a second half point but Mannion was scoreless and struggled to exert an influence on proceedings, despite setting up a couple of scores.
Jason Flynn battled hard but finished on the losing side in Thurles. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
It was left to Brian Molloy, prolific in the march to All-Ireland intermediate glory, to provide most resistance as he picked off five points from play.
And his performance might have given senior boss Anthony Cunningham something to think about ahead of the 6 September All-Ireland final clash with Kilkenny.
2. Limerick’s season continues into September
Following disappointing campaigns at minor and senior levels for Limerick, the exploits of the U21s has provided huge consolation for hurling fans on Shannonside.
Munster championship glory was hard-earned with victories over Tipperary and last year’s All-Ireland winners Clare, and Galway was another big hurdle to jump.
But John Kiely’s men cleared it with ease to set up a 12 September showdown against Wexford.
Limerick U21 boss John Kiely. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
That Semple Stadium clash will revive memories of 2001, when the counties clashed in the U21 decider.
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Wexford will hope that the roles are reversed on this occasion, as Limerick won before slaying Galway in 2002 to lift the Cross of Cashel trophy for a third successive year.
3. Can Wexford now end their U21 famine?
Having reached a second successive final, Wexford boss JJ Doyle and his players are now desperate to go one step further.
They were competitive in defeat against a classy Clare team last year, suffering a six-point loss in the final.
The Slaneysiders regrouped impressively in 2015 to win Leinster for the third year in a row and now their sights are set on the biggest prize of all in the U21 grade.
Wexford boss JJ Doyle will now hope his players can take the final step. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Wexford’s one and only All-Ireland U21 title was won way back in 1965 but they’ve lost eleven finals in total.
The novel nature of this fixture should draw a bumper crowd to Semple Stadium next month and an intriguing battle lies in store.
4. End of the road for Kevin Ryan in Antrim
Waterford native Kevin Ryan has pulled the curtain down on his tenure as Antrim’s senior and U21 boss.
He flagged his intentions before this U21 semi-final and the hunt now begins for his successor.
Ryan publicly stated during the week that he feared a hiding from Wexford in Thurles but the Saffrons were game and lost by 12 points, which wasn’t a huge disgrace.
Kevin Ryan's reign in Antrim is over. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
They set their stall out right from the start, lining out with not one but two sweepers in an attempt to nullify the Wexford attack.
It didn’t make for pretty fare but despite conceding a goal, Antrim did score one of their own before their day ended on a low note when Damon McMullan was sent off for a second bookable offence.
5. Is it time for change in the U21 grade to aid Galway’s cause?
Galway ran into a formidable Limerick roadblock in Thurles this evening and paid a heavy price.
Limerick had come through two tough matches in the Munster championship but this was Galway’s first outing in the competition this season.
The Shannonsiders were fresh but Galway’s senior men Flynn, Whelan and Mannion were in action again just six days after an exhausting All-Ireland senior semi-final against Tipperary.
Conor Whelan scored a point but was subdued for Galway. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Perhaps it’s time for officialdom to again consider the prospect of Galway’s minors and U21s hurling in the Leinster championship.
Intermediate and senior fare will have helped many of Galway’s U21 stars but as a collective in the grade tonight, they were second best.
6. Another Wexford wonder score
Wexford’s U21 hurlers already treated us to one of the goals of the season in the Leinster championship against Offaly and they were at it again this evening.
Check out this magnificent handpass from Conor McDonald that freed up Conor Devitt for the opening goal of the second half.
Devitt’s line of running puts him in the perfect position to receive the pass and apply a classy finish at the Town End of Semple Stadium.
But once again, McDonald’s vision and execution of the assist were both exemplary in a cameo piece of skill that revived memories of his incredible flick to free Cathal Dunbar in the Offaly clash.
6 talking points as Limerick and Wexford set up All-Ireland U21 hurling final clash
1. Galway’s senior stars struggle
If you’d told Limerick boss John Kiely before throw-in that Galway’s senior forwards Jason Flynn, Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan would muster just three points from play between them, he’d have taken that.
Flynn did try hard for the Tribesmen, contributing four points from placed balls, a sideline cut and two from play but Mannion and Whelan were more subdued.
Whelan did score a second half point but Mannion was scoreless and struggled to exert an influence on proceedings, despite setting up a couple of scores.
It was left to Brian Molloy, prolific in the march to All-Ireland intermediate glory, to provide most resistance as he picked off five points from play.
And his performance might have given senior boss Anthony Cunningham something to think about ahead of the 6 September All-Ireland final clash with Kilkenny.
2. Limerick’s season continues into September
Following disappointing campaigns at minor and senior levels for Limerick, the exploits of the U21s has provided huge consolation for hurling fans on Shannonside.
Munster championship glory was hard-earned with victories over Tipperary and last year’s All-Ireland winners Clare, and Galway was another big hurdle to jump.
But John Kiely’s men cleared it with ease to set up a 12 September showdown against Wexford.
That Semple Stadium clash will revive memories of 2001, when the counties clashed in the U21 decider.
Wexford will hope that the roles are reversed on this occasion, as Limerick won before slaying Galway in 2002 to lift the Cross of Cashel trophy for a third successive year.
3. Can Wexford now end their U21 famine?
Having reached a second successive final, Wexford boss JJ Doyle and his players are now desperate to go one step further.
They were competitive in defeat against a classy Clare team last year, suffering a six-point loss in the final.
The Slaneysiders regrouped impressively in 2015 to win Leinster for the third year in a row and now their sights are set on the biggest prize of all in the U21 grade.
Wexford’s one and only All-Ireland U21 title was won way back in 1965 but they’ve lost eleven finals in total.
The novel nature of this fixture should draw a bumper crowd to Semple Stadium next month and an intriguing battle lies in store.
4. End of the road for Kevin Ryan in Antrim
Waterford native Kevin Ryan has pulled the curtain down on his tenure as Antrim’s senior and U21 boss.
He flagged his intentions before this U21 semi-final and the hunt now begins for his successor.
Ryan publicly stated during the week that he feared a hiding from Wexford in Thurles but the Saffrons were game and lost by 12 points, which wasn’t a huge disgrace.
They set their stall out right from the start, lining out with not one but two sweepers in an attempt to nullify the Wexford attack.
It didn’t make for pretty fare but despite conceding a goal, Antrim did score one of their own before their day ended on a low note when Damon McMullan was sent off for a second bookable offence.
5. Is it time for change in the U21 grade to aid Galway’s cause?
Galway ran into a formidable Limerick roadblock in Thurles this evening and paid a heavy price.
Limerick had come through two tough matches in the Munster championship but this was Galway’s first outing in the competition this season.
The Shannonsiders were fresh but Galway’s senior men Flynn, Whelan and Mannion were in action again just six days after an exhausting All-Ireland senior semi-final against Tipperary.
Perhaps it’s time for officialdom to again consider the prospect of Galway’s minors and U21s hurling in the Leinster championship.
Intermediate and senior fare will have helped many of Galway’s U21 stars but as a collective in the grade tonight, they were second best.
6. Another Wexford wonder score
Wexford’s U21 hurlers already treated us to one of the goals of the season in the Leinster championship against Offaly and they were at it again this evening.
Check out this magnificent handpass from Conor McDonald that freed up Conor Devitt for the opening goal of the second half.
Devitt’s line of running puts him in the perfect position to receive the pass and apply a classy finish at the Town End of Semple Stadium.
But once again, McDonald’s vision and execution of the assist were both exemplary in a cameo piece of skill that revived memories of his incredible flick to free Cathal Dunbar in the Offaly clash.
Limerick will face Wexford in the All-Ireland U21 final after overcoming Galway
Wexford hurlers cruise into All-Ireland U21 final with 12-point victory
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Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling championship GAA Antrim Galway Limerick Wexford The final frontier