Waterford v Limerick

nesf

Um. Where's the Waterford team we saw last week?

Plug

What time is it on at?

nesf

The first half is nearly over now. Limerick lead by 3. They had a lead of 11 or something at one point.

Edit: Correction, 4 points.

BIG-SLICK-POKER

Jesus Waterford had the worst start i have ever seen ,,, Limerick really putting it up to them here ... Stilll there for us though ... neeed a big 2nd half

Agamemnon

I think Waterford will still win it though. Limerick don't have much of a lead. It'll be like the Kerry-Monaghan game earlier - the underdogs will lead for most of it but will be overtaken at the end. I'd imagine Kilkenny will be studying a video of the first half very closely though.

Duiske

Great game. Can't remember the last time I watched a bad game between 2 Munster teams. Think Waterford will nick this, but you never know what way Limerick will come out for the second half. Hope its Waterford in the final against us, as they have proved themselves the best in the country so far this year in league and championship. All the makings of the best final in years .

Plug

Im from kilkenny but i would love to see Waterford hammer us this year for a change:)

nesf

Oh, what a goal by Limerick there. This is a good game for the neutrals.

Mushy

5 wides by Waterford now in a row...and after that good goal at the start of the half. Limerick looking good now

Gautama

Congratulation to The Stab. What a game. Fighting fire with fire. To way to beat a team reknowned for scoring goals is to score goals. The Stab have scored five and The Deise less than half that. What a spectacle.

Agamemnon

WTF? What happened to Waterford? I thought this was going to be their year at last. Shanahan's been scoring goals for fun all summer; today he missed chances he would have taken with his eyes closed usually. Mullane had another off-day and Flynn's accuracy deserted him too.

Still, all credit to Limerick. They were really physical and took no notice of people who gave them no chance.

What a brilliant game,on the edge of my seat the whole time.I thought Limerick had lost it halfway through the second half.They were'nt winning anything in midfield and they were only kept in it by Waterfords wides.They regained their composure in the end though.I can't see Limerick losing to Kilkenny now It's going to be some final!

BIG-SLICK-POKER

As a passionate Hurling fan I am gutted beyond belief ... Best of luck to Limerick for the Final ..Better team won on the day

Plug

I changed my mind now I want limerick to win the all-Ireland this year:)

fricatus

BIG-SLICK-POKER wrote:

Better team won on the day

True, but I feel not a little cheated here (again) by the back-door system. Cork got a second, indeed a third chance, and both Limerick and Wexford got a second chance.

When are Waterford going to get a second chance?

redzerdrog

great game but i fear what kilkenny are going to do to them in the final

fricatus

Plug wrote:

I changed my mind now I want limerick to win the all-Ireland this year:)

All along, if Waterford couldn't have won, I'd have said the same: I'll shout for Limerick. That was until about 17.40 today and the full-time whistle.

The reason is not that I'm bitter about being beaten by Limerick - fair play to them, they won. The reason I'll be shouting for the Cats on 2 September is not that I work in KK either, it's the fact that since 17.40 (it's 18.27 now), I've heard two interviews with Richie Bennis, one in which he was very disrespectful towards Dan Shanahan, the other in which he dismissed the Waterford team as opposition for Limerick. He should remember that Waterford were weaker on the day, but would have beaten them on any other occasion.

Enjoy the sweet taste of victory for now Richie, but pride comes before a fall. A bit of humility wouldn't go astray.

shockwave

I despair of Waterford I really do! Every year we get sooo close only to fall at the last hurdle. What the hell do we have to do to reach an all Ireland final

irish fighter

Plug wrote:

I changed my mind now I want limerick to win the all-Ireland this year:)

been a kilkenny man i always want the cats to win would of been nice to see waterford win but they did not sorry but thats sport now bring on limerick and less forget about rest

Limerick Dude

Come on Limerick!!!!!! Woooooop!

Noone gave us a chance going into this game, Waterford were already thinking of their final with Kilkenny, which unfortunatly for them, aint going to happen!

Limerick were the better team on the day, Waterford cant complain they were outplayed and outclassed.

Bring on Kilkenny!

Amazotheamazing

I think you have to understand where Bennis is coming from, no one gave Limerick a chance, people were saying that Waterford would walk to a victory. He's entitled to a bit of crowing, he'll temper what he said later in the week. Shaugh's must have no nerves, getting that penalty after been locked out in the second half.

Angus MacGyver

Fair play to Limerick. They showed great character similar to Wexford against Tipp, Lets hope for the sake of the game that they put up a better fight against KK though, I think they have as good a chance in winning now as waterford would have but they will have to do somethiing about the amount of frees conceeded. I was impressed with Limericks accuracy. Kilkenny will not have 17 wides in the final though which was waterfords downfall. As a cat I want to see KK win but I would not begrudge Limerick the win given the route they have taken. Its about time they brought the underage sucess to senior level

mickger

In fairness to Waterford to go out and play 3 knockout championship games 3 weeks in a row was just a step to far for them. The extra week off helped Limerick and fair play to them for winning but if Kilkenny get the chances Waterford did today and Limerick play as poorly as they did in the second half the Cats will win. I hope Limerick win but honestly can't see it happening.

nesf

fricatus wrote:

True, but I feel not a little cheated here (again) by the back-door system. Cork got a second, indeed a third chance, and both Limerick and Wexford got a second chance.

When are Waterford going to get a second chance?

And Kerry did the same to Cork last year. The system does have its drawbacks but it gives us more hurling which is a good thing.

mdwexford

Waterford bottled it as usual. big surprise.

Kilkenny will mangle Limerick in the final

decies

nesf wrote:

And Kerry did the same to Cork last year. The system does have its drawbacks but it gives us more hurling which is a good thing.

The all ireland hurling final is the worst organised cup competion in the world,even the fifa world cup draw isn,t as bad as this!!!!
Still well done limerick and good luck in the final.

Mossy Monk

Diabolical from Waterford today. Kilkenny must be laughing considering Limerick had 15 minute spells in both halves where they didn't score. Play like that against Kilkenny and they will be slaughtered. Waterfords downfall was the amount of wides :mad:.

JHMEG

I don't think I've seen such a legally dirty game before, as evidenced by all the blood. I hate to say it but Limerick seem to have made an artform out of violence.

Still, in fairness to Waterord, rather than Limerick winning it, Waterford lost it with all those wides.

I never would have been supporting Cork or KK going into a final before, but in this case I really hope for the sake of hurling that KK do it and show that skill can win out over dirt.

Oh, and that Richie Bennis is a tool, singling out one player in his interview after the match with a statement like "We got 5 goals and Dan the Man got none". I hope Dan phones him up in September and reminds him that he has two medals and his lads have none.

Orizio

redzerdrog wrote:

great game but i fear what kilkenny are going to do to them in the final

Same here. I can't see Limerick beating Kilkenny, too many weak players.

lukin

I can understand Bennis being a bit triumphalist afterwards as he is a proud Limerick man and must have been pissed off listening to everyone writing them off over the last week.
Waterford lost it in the first twenty minutes, letting Limerick build up such a big lead. They were always chasing the game and even though they got to within two points of them near the end their poor start cost them.

Mossy Monk

JHMEG wrote:

Oh, and that Richie Bennis is a tool, singling out one player in his interview after the match with a statement like "We got 5 goals and Dan the Man got none". I hope Dan phones him up in September and reminds him that he has two medals and his lads have none.

Did he say that? Sore winner tbh.

Tanabe

mdwexford wrote:

Waterford bottled it as usual. big surprise.

Kilkenny will mangle Limerick in the final

In fairness they are one of the best teams on the Country so I would never say they "bottled it" as you so casually put it. Not a fair comment at all by any means. You should not forget Waterfords' last succession of games and how they hurled. You might even learn a thing or two.

The better team won on the day, cruel result for Waterford but that's they way it goes. A tougher season has not been had by any other team, unfortunate not to reach the final. The lads on the Waterford team should be proud of their competitiveness all season.

I would imagine your last quote there in relation to Kilkenny is more sensical but I do hope you are wrong.

(Try giving more plausible answers in future, instead of the no-brainer two- liners mdwexford)!

JHMEG

Mossy Monk wrote:

Did he say that? Sore winner tbh.

Pretty much his exact words. And he kept dissing Waterford after that.

Any inkling I had to support Limerick going into the final is now well and truly gone.

Tanabe

JHMEG wrote:

I don't think I've seen such a legally dirty game before, as evidenced by all the blood. I hate to say it but Limerick seem to have made an artform out of violence.

I never would have been supporting Cork or KK going into a final before, but in this case I really hope for the sake of hurling that KK do it and show that skill can win out over dirt.

Actually, I wholeheartedly agree with this viewpoint.

JHMEG wrote:

Oh, and that Richie Bennis is a tool, singling out one player in his interview after the match with a statement like "We got 5 goals and Dan the Man got none". I hope Dan phones him up in September and reminds him that he has two medals and his lads have none.

Agreed. Richie 'The Tool' Bennis was obviously so concerned with Dan he had to make reference to him whilst he was having a gloat. Dan is worth 10 of his players. Richie 'The Tool'.

jank

Congrats Limerick.
The Desie blow it yet again!!

Erin Go Brath

Luimneach abu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm delighted we won today, especially as nobody gave us a chance! Begley came more into the game in the 2nd half and proved a handful. Ollie Moran, Donie Ryan, Shocks all played well. The Waterford full back line were very pourous today. Limerick could have gotten more goals, especially one early in the second half the keeper saved. Hickey is a legend. He cleaned up, especially in the first half.

Bennis was probably just overjoyed at winning that he started talking bollix. He's an excitable character. I'm sure he didn't mean offence by slagging Dan.

Bring on the Cats now! We might be big underdogs again, but we'll give them the toughest game their going to get this year!

Amazotheamazing

Eh, JHMEG, do you think it's slightly possible you're being a sore loser here?

Bennis took over a team that had been destroyed by a relatively average Clare team and has unified the squad and brought them to a AI final. They're a physical team but they scored 4 lovely goals today. I agree they don't have Waterford's skill levels, but then again, neither do any other team except Kilkenny.

On his comments, do you expect him to go out and say "yeah, we're surprised, we expected to lose today too", of course he's going to say he expected to win, it's his job to expect to win, otherwise what's the point? It was poor form to single out Shanahan, but Shanahan had a dreadful game today and should have been subbed. Last time out Shanahan destroyed Limerick, Bennis should be proud his tactics froze him out of the game.

I agree Kilkenny are massive favourites, but I hope the Limerick team have the ability and belief to at least keep it respectable.

lukin

Feck's sake lads, ye have very selective memory's! Ye neglected to mention that Bennis also said if it was Waterford were in the final he would want them to win. All he said about Shanahan was that he didn't score any goals, which er, he didn't.

mdwexford

Tanabe wrote:

In fairness they are one of the best teams on the Country so I would never say they "bottled it" as you so casually put it. Not a fair comment at all by any means. You should not forget Waterfords' last succession of games and how they hurled. You might even learn a thing or two.

The better team won on the day, cruel result for Waterford but that's they way it goes. A tougher season has not been had by any other team, unfortunate not to reach the final. The lads on the Waterford team should be proud of their competitiveness all season.

I would imagine your last quote there in relation to Kilkenny is more sensical but I do hope you are wrong.

(Try giving more plausible answers in future, instead of the no-brainer two- liners mdwexford)!

one of the best teams in the country who had a golden chance to reach an All-Ireland final and BOTTLED IT with terrible first half defending and a ridiculous amount of wides. they thought they were gonna have it easy after beating Cork and they got a wake up call with those two early Limerick goals but it was an insurmountable lead.

they were not "unfortunate to reach the final" at all, they lost to a better side on the day due to a terrible performance.

hows that for a plausible reply.

Amazotheamazing

lukin wrote:

Feck's sake lads, ye have very selective memory's! Ye neglected to mention that Bennis also said if it was Waterford were in the final he would want them to win. All he said about Shanahan was that he didn't score any goals, which er, he didn't.

Well said.

Like I said, Bennis has every reason to be proud, so far this season he has found a way to shut down Eoin Kelly and Dan Shanahan, something most pundits said it couldn't done.

rebeve

I seen to remember Dan blowing his h*le after the Cork match , wheel goes round and all that
. Well done Limerick .Waterford are pities , all the usual guff about being back next year .
Up the rebels

Flukey

What a match! What a match! It had everything. The atmosphere there was electric. From my vantage point, high in the Hogan stand, I could see the whole stadium buzzing. Limerick came out firing on all cylinders. Right from then, we knew we were in for a game. A blistering start, followed on by more of the same. The match never let up. Every time Limerick looked like pulling away, back came Waterford. It even looked like they might sneak it at one stage, but Limerick held on. Everyone feels for Waterford, but every neutral will be behind Limerick for the final. The atmosphere there, and the scenes at the end, were like if it was a final. That's one danger for Limerick. They have to go out and play like that again in the final. There were a few dubious refereeing decisions. Watch just before Limerick's third goal, where there seemed to be a high tackle on a Waterford player in the corner, and nothing was given, and Limerick scored.

JHMEG

Amazotheamazing wrote:

Eh, JHMEG, do you think it's slightly possible you're being a sore loser here?

Eh, no, as I'm a neutral! I'm not from Waterford, or even a hurling county. I'm just a fan of hurling, telling it as I see it.

I agree with mdwexford tho. Sure Limerick got 5 goals, but Waterford hit 17 wides. Waterford lost it for themselves.

zachler

Take it easy on poor Richie Bennis. He lives for his hurling. He was overexcited and said some things which, taken out of context, sounded like he was gloating. We all feel strongly that Waterford are overdue an All-Ireland. If it was anyone bar Limerick I'd have been cheering them on myself. Hopefully next year....

The match wasn't dirty - just tough. Limerick were direct, honest and died for every ball - and they won fair and square.

Hopefully the final will be as entertaining. Today was a good reminder of what sport is all about - better than that season opener rubbish across the water. I didn't see much passion there.

Tanabe

mdwexford wrote:

one of the best teams in the country who had a golden chance to reach an All-Ireland final and BOTTLED IT with terrible first half defending and a ridiculous amount of wides. they thought they were gonna have it easy after beating Cork and they got a wake up call with those two early Limerick goals but it was an insurmountable lead.

they were not "unfortunate to reach the final" at all, they lost to a better side on the day due to a terrble performance.

hows that for a plausible reply.

To be honest, I think your terminology 'BOTTLED IT' is somewhat immature but maybe it is what you are used to where you come from. However I do agree with you in relation to the amount of chances Waterford put wide today. Limerick got two fantastic goals earlier in the first half, Waterford probably feeling the after effects having played Cork the two previous weekends but it's easy talk now the game is over.

The better team won on the day, as I mentioned in my original post.

Your reply was more plausible this time, alot more substance than the original two lines. You just need to tighten up on the punctuation and spelling perhaps and maybe you'll get there in the end.

D. Coughlan

Limerick were by far the better team and wanted it much more. I think Waterford seemed like they just did not want to be there for a while in the first half, the two games against Cork meant they had little time to prepare and the reaction after that victory was like they had finally made the breakthrough, while in fact they had just made another semi with a precieved easier match than previous years.

While all this was going on Limerick were waiting in the high grass, improving on the weaknesses, watching the Munster Final and listening to every pundit in the game right them off. They wanted to win it and they went out and did it. (no team deserves an All- Ireland just because they have not won one in a while, Dublin should watch out for this). I think Limerick have a good chance in the Final if they play like that.

They won fair and square and they were not a bit dirty.

Earthhorse

I don't think Waterford thought they were through passed purely on entitlement. Neither was it the case that they didn't want it enough. The two Cork matches took it out of them though and the result was their performance today; 17 wides and 5 goals against them. Not that Limerick didn't take their chances, and fair play to them for doing so, but Waterford were worn out rather than taking things for granted.

run_Forrest_run

Congrats to Limerick, rugby will take a back seat down by the Shannon for a few weeks at least!

Waterford must be heartbroken and they will have to look at how many wides they shot today...you simply cannot expect to get into an All-Ireland final after hitting something like 17 wides.

Also the ref wasn't much today...for both sides but I do feel he handed Waterford one or two dodgy frees...Limerick will have cause for complain also (if they wanted to!). I can never rate Roche as a ref.

So as a Cat myself, Cody et al will be doing their homework. Kilkenny do not get to play Limerick much so they will take some getting used to and we know they will hit so hard, just like they did today.

Daysha

Just back from Croker. Gutted, devastated etc. but I hope people understand the true reasoning behind todays performance.

Waterford did not bottle it and we were not complacent. How can a team be complacent going into a AI semi final which they hadnt won in 44 years!? From the moment the Cork match finished all eyes turned to Sunday. We all knew this would be an extrememly tough match, and Limerick are not the team you want to be facing after 2 successive weekends of Championship hurling.

Fatigue did unfortunately play a part, but many (myself includied) did not believe leading up to the match that it would be such a big deal. But it was a huge factor, mentally and physically. 17 wides today, compared to 4 in our first Championship match back in June, tells its own story.

Despite not agreeing with the way Limerick go about their matches, they were the better team. They were more fresh, more organised and more clinical. For us, this is not the end of an era, far from it. If Tony Browne and Paul Flynn do go, we've unearthed two gems in Aidan Kearney and Stephen Molumphy to take their place. The rest will still be around next year. As for Justin, i honestly don't know. Nobody will complain if he stays on for another year, but I think i'll like to see a new manager with a different approach on how to get the best out of the players, to try new things.

We have fallen short yet again, our 4th semi defeat in 6 years, but we can not take away from the fact that 2007 has been our most successful year since 1959. Our first senior national title in 44 years and our 3rd Munster crown in 6 years. While we got the 2 new guys in, the more experienced players like Dan and Ken McGrath have proven themselves to be the best in the country in their position. Here's to another season of trying i guess!

K-9

lukin wrote:

Feck's sake lads, ye have very selective memory's! Ye neglected to mention that Bennis also said if it was Waterford were in the final he would want them to win. All he said about Shanahan was that he didn't score any goals, which er, he didn't.

Jaysus, sore losers rather than sore winners here.;)

The man was interviewed straight after a match that they where wrote off for. He did say he felt really sorry for Waterford, he wanted them in an AI if Limerick where beat. He was asked directly about Dan, and he said that. And it probably was the key to them losing the Munster final and winning this match.

old boy

of course limerick playing 3 games againt tipp before they met waterford did not count, but waterford tactics never changed, all the same every time, they were waiting to be found out, and they were, no change in the full back line all day, forwards changed, well tatoos and crest pulling only last for so long, look at the tactics, dont bad mouth the peeps that overcome them