A championship season so far which has seen Cork and Kilkenny produce statement wins early.
We were waiting for when Limerick would introduce themselves to this year’s championship. The wait emphatically ended tonight with this eye catching cameo in Walsh Park.
This was a Limerick performance which resembled something that we observed three seasons ago. Middle third composure and dominance with excellent decision making with the sliothar all over the field.
Waterford behind the eight ball in this fixture early. Dan Morrissey dominating the full back line. Sean Finn looks to be returning to his elite level form with a super performance.
This is not to say that there were issues in the back line. Diarmuid Byrnes tagged early for a yellow card. A last warning from Colm Lyons prompted the Limerick management to replace the Patrickswell man with Colin Coughlan who impressed.
Waterford depended on Stephen Bennett, who scored a total of 0-9 points on the night. Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald each limited to one point. Limerick should have been out of sight at the break.
Adam English and Aaron Gillane with excellent goal scoring chances spurned but Limerick in the mood. Gearoid Hegarty’s point before the break sensational. Tom Morrissey with three points.
Cian Lynch though was different class. Waterford couldn’t answer the Patrickswell’s player movement and creativity. Lynch’s pass to Morrissey for a point in the opening half worth the gate admission alone.
A five point win at the break. Waterford delivered a response and cut the deficit to two points. Colm Lyons decision making was baffling at times. Nonetheless, Limerick went up a gear with Shane O’Brien in full forward impressive (0-4). His quality scoring complemented Aaron Gillane (0-9). The gap suddenly out to seven points.
Only a week ago, Waterford saw Clare panic and look for goals early in the second half. The shoe was on the other foot tonight. The Bennett brothers tried to score goals early. The Limerick defense refused to concede any three-point scores tonight.
Limerick at their ease late on. Darragh O’Donovan’s introduction a big bonus for Limerick. His game reading and distribution intelligence seen for the closing point of the game for Limerick. O’Donovan to Reidy to Gillane. Super decision making on the ball.
The intensity levels from Limerick looked elevated from the Tipperary fixture. The managerial switches saw a Limerick side rock solid down the spine of the team. It whets the appetite for the Cork fixture in two weeks time.
Limerick in excellent position. Two home fixtures against Cork and Clare. John Kiely first to admit delight at this cameo but room for improvement particularly in goal scoring opportunity execution. 0-22 from play speaks volumes. Kyle Hayes reveled in the half-back assignment.
Waterford were defeated tonight. They were exposed in their scoring depth chart with only 0-12 from play. Middle third exchanges saw Limerick dominate. Six day turnaround would be a poor excuse. Limerick were at a different level tonight. Cork away looks daunting but Tipperary away makes or breaks their season for the Deise.