Munster Express Online

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Much of the pre-match talk to last Sunday’s meeting of Waterford and Limerick in this year National Hurling League centred round former Deise boss Justin McCarthy and how long more he can remain at the Treaty helm.

With a motion of no confidence in the Passage West native to be debated on Shannonside in the coming days following, it looked as if McCarthy could have bought himself some extra time when his side started with all guns blazing at Fraher Field.

Limerick took the lead with less than 20 seconds played. Having won the throw in, they worked the ball to wing back Lorcan O’Dwyer who sent a testing ball in and around the Waterford goal. Paudie McNamara, who gave Mark O’Brien a torrid time on the edge of the square throughout, got out ahead of the Tallow clubman and once he had the ball in his hand there was only going to be one place it was going to end up – the back of Clinton Hennessy’s net.

A second Limerick goal followed on 11 minutes to stun the 3,000-plus crowd. With the sun in the eyes of the Waterford defenders a huge delivery from Limerick’s best player Brian O’Sullivan deceived everyone and went straight to the back of the net.

A lengthy stoppage ensued in the 17th minute. Limerick netminder Tadhg Flynn came out to collect an incoming ball but clashed with Eoin McGrath, leaving the Ahane man stretched out on the ground. He required immediate medical attention and an ambulance at the ground was called in to remove him to hospital.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full story.