Munster MHC final: Ryan rescues Waterford

July 13, 2014

Limerick's Barry Nash and Andy Molumby of Waterford
©INPHO
Limerick 3-14
Waterford 2-17

A late Shane Ryan goal earned All-Ireland champions Waterford a dramatic draw with Limerick in this afternoon's Munster MHC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

The replay will take place on Tuesday week, July 22 in Thurles after the counties finished level in the final for the second consecutive year. In contrast to 12 months ago, it was Waterford who came from behind to earn a second bite at the cherry, having trailed by seven points at the end of the third quarter.

Seeking back-to-back Munster titles, Limerick led by 0-4 to 0-1 after eight minutes thanks to points from Ronan Lynch, Peter Casey, Cian Lynch and Barry Nash. The Deise had narrowed the gap to 0-4 to 0-6 with scores from Peter Hogan, Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett before Nash put the Treaty back in control with the opening goal on 14 minutes.

Waterford responded with points from Curran and Andy Molumby before Tom Morrissey bagged Limerick's second goal in the 22nd minute to make it 2-7 to 0-7. But Waterford hit back with two points apiece from Curran and Aaron O'Sullivan and would have led at the break had Colin Ryan not had a 29th minute penalty saved.

The half-time score was 2-8 to 0-12 in the Shannonsiders' favour.

Waterford started the second half strongly to regain parity by the 38th minute before points from Ronan Lynch, Casey and Morrisey put Limerick 2-11 to 0-14 up. The boys in green looked set for victory when Peter Casey raised their second green flag in the 42nd minute and Ronan Lynch followed up with a point to leave them seven points clear, 3-12 to 0-14.

But the Irish Press Cup holders dug deep to outscore the Treaty by 2-3 to 0-2 in a frenetic final quarter.

Points from Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran had reduced the arrears before Cormac Curran's goal made it 1-16 to 3-14 with 10 minutes to go.

Patrick Curran left three between the sides in the 57th minute before Shane Ryan's goal levelled in the first minute of stoppage-time.

Limerick - E McNamara; S Finn, P O'Loughlin, J Porter; L Lyons, C Ryan, A La Touche Cosgrave; R Hanley, R Lynch (0-5, 2f); S Flanagan (0-2), B Nash (1-2, 0-1f), C Lynch (0-1); P Casey (1-2), T Morrissey (1-1), C Fitzgerald. Subs: E Doyle (0-1) for C Fitzgerald, D Fanning for L Lyons, B Ryan for R Hanley.

Waterford - B Nolan; D Prendergast, MJ Sutton, M Cronin; C Prunty, C Roche, J Mullaney; D Lyons, A Molumby (0-2); S Bennett (0-4, 1f, 1sl), C Gleeson, C Curran (1-0); P Hogan (0-2), A O'Sullivan (0-2), P Curran (0-7, 6f). Subs: E Meaney for A O'Sullivan, J Allen for Molumby, S Ryan (1-0) for P Curran.

Referee - D Fox.

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