Minors second best against dominant Limerick

Early Neligan goal set the tone for Shannonsiders

Limerick1-26

Galway1-15

By Billy Coss

At Cusack Park

Galway's challenge for a first All-Ireland minor hurling title since 2020 was ended by a sharper and more cohesive Limerick outfit in Ennis early on Saturday evening.

Captain Shane Waters top scored with nine points for the Shannonsiders and midfielder Xavier Neligan fired a magnificent early goal as Diarmuid Mullins' side took an early grip on proceedings that never loosened.

Limerick proved very effective front runners and were never in anything other than total control. They led by 1-6 to 0-3 after 16 minutes, 1-12 to 0-9 at half-time, 1-17 to 0-12 on 42 minutes, and 1-24 to 0-14 on 55 minutes. Though Gus Lohan netted a late goal for the Leinster champions, it was no more than a consolation in an eventual 11-point defeat.

You have to rewind to the GAA's centenary year of 1984 for the last of Limerick's three All-Irelands at the grade. They now have an opportunity to end that famine against a Tipperary team that defeated them twice in Munster and were 5-18 to 2-19 victors over Cork in Saturday's opening semi-final.

Anthony Poniard opened the scoring within seconds of the throw-in, but it was the only time Galway led as Limerick soon found their groove. Waters split the posts five times in the half and Neligan, who finished with 1-2, raced 60 metres through the heart of the Galway defence to blast a brilliant eighth minute goal.

Eamon O'Sullivan (two), Zach Bennis, Rian Horgan (two) and Ryan Foley were also on target for the winners before the break, with Poniard (three), Michael Coen (three, two placed balls), Eoghan McClearn (two) and Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh responding for a Galway side that was second best.

With their defence outstanding, Limerick remained on top and their lead had pushed out to eight points by the three-quarter mark after one of the scores of the day from wing-back John O'Riordan. Waters (two), Bennis and Neligan added to their tallies as Coen (two placed balls) and Mac Cárthaigh provided Galway's sole replies.

Limerick stretched further clear with seven of the next nine points. Diarmuid Crowe ensured that all of their starting forwards scored as the margin reach a high of 13. Waters topped up his return while O'Sullivan and Horgan, who hit eight points between them, continued to show their class up front.

Gus Lohan's 59th minute goal, Mac Carthaigh's third point of the evening, plus one from sub Kayn Boyle arrived for Galway late on, but Kenneth Burke's side were always at arm's length as Limerick closed out a dominant victory with Horgan's fifth score.

LIMERICK: Sam Collins (Crecora-Manister); Rowan Collins (Adare), William Ryan (Murroe-Boher), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey); John O’Riordan (0-1, Bruff), Conor Ryan (Monaleen), Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell); Xavier Nelligan (1-2, Kilmallock), Jack Roche (Blackrock); Diarmuid Crowe (0-1, Doon), Ryan Foley (0-2, Patrickswell), Shane Waters (0-9, 0-6 frees, captain, Na Piarsaigh); Eamon O’Sullivan (0-3, Adare), Zach Bennis (0-2, Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Rian Horgan (0-5, Murroe-Boher). Subs: Paul Collins (Tournafulla), for Roche, 45 mins; Gavin O'Brien (Kilmallock), for Bennis, 56 mins; Donagh Horgan (Murroe-Boher), for Ryan, 56 mins; John Ross O'Reilly (0-1, Ballybrown), for Foley, 56 mins; Cian Hickey (Crecora-Manister), for Neligan, 57 mins.

GALWAY: Mark Walsh (Carnmore); Jack Cahill (Craughwell), Dillon O’Shaughnessy (Turloughmore), Ethan Whyte (Craughwell); Cathal Donoghue (Clarinbridge), Conor Lynskey (Liam Mellows), Ultan Leen (Craughwell); Jamie Egan (Oranmore-Maree), Eoghan McClearn (0-2, Loughrea); Eli Huban (Kinvara), Gus Lohan (1-1, captain, Oranmore-Maree), Tom McAdam (Carnmore); Michael Coen (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), Clarinbridge), Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh (0-3, Sarsfields), Anthony Poniard (0-3, Athenry). Subs: Conor O’Neill (Sarsfields), for Lynskey inj, 25 mins; Cillian Power (Tommy Larkins), for Huban, 38 mins; Cathal Larkin (Killimor), for Coen, 47 mins; Dáithí Dillon (Kilnadeema-Leitrim), for Egan, 42 mins; Joey McMahon (Athenry), for Leen, 56 mins; Kayn Boyle (0-1, Kilnadeema-Leitrim), for McAdam, 56 mins.

REFEREE: Peter Owens (Down).