Spirited Limerick advanced to a fourth successive Munster MHC final when defeating Waterford by 0-19 to 0-17 at Walsh Park.

The winners - who will host either Cork or Tipperary in the provincial decider at the Gaelic Grounds on July 10^th - had their character severely tested when, with the wind in their faces, they saw a six-point lead after 48 minutes whittled down to the minimum with six minutes remaining, 0-16 to 0-15

But late scores from Kyle Hayes, Cian Magnier Flynn and top scorer Paul O'Brien (0-10) ensured that Pat Donnelly's charges will contest the Munster final as well as the All-Ireland series.

With the strong breeze behind them in the first half, Limerick established a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead, which left things delicately poised with 30 minutes left to play.

It took six minutes for the first score to materialise and it went to the Treaty County with O'Brien the provider. O'Brien was on target twice more as his side led by 0-4 to 0-1 at the midway stage in the first half.

Eoghan Murray pulled back a point from a free and Michael Mahony cancelled out a Brian Ryan point before O'Brien's fourth converted free and another from Ryan made it 0-7 to 0-3 with seven minutes left in the first half.

The Shannonsiders knocked over two of the next three points to lead by five at the short whistle.

The gap remained at five with 13 minutes left, 0-15 to 0-10, and was extended to six before the crowd of 2,599 was treated to some late drama as the hosts rallied strongly with five successive points in as many minutes from Thomas Douglas, Mahony, Jack Prendergast, Ciaran Kirwan and Murray (free).

But the Treaty boys showed remarkable composure under pressure to claim a superb victory.

Limerick - M O'Kelly; B Nash, C Nicholas, F Hourigan; M O'Grady, J Adams, B Timmons; C McCarthy, D Carroll (0-2, 1sl); B Ryan (0-3), C Magnier Flynn (0-1), D Woulfe (0-1); C Boylan, K Hayes (0-2), P O'Brien (0-10, 8f). Subs: J Flynn for C McCarthy, C O'Connor for B Timmons, M Bourke for J Adams, A Barrett for D Woulfe.

Waterford - B Nolan; C Giles Doran, J Flavin, T Barron; L Wall, H Ruddle Redmond, C Dalton (0-2); D Power (0-2), C Curran; E McGrath, M Mahony (0-2), N Montgomery (0-1); T Douglas (0-2), E Murray (0-5, 3f), J Prendergast (0-2). Subs: D Guiry for E McGrath, C Kirwan (0-1) for N Montgomery, J Reade for L Wall.

Referee - N Wall.

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