All-Ireland GAA Football Championship Qualifier Round 3 – Limerick 0-14 Waterford 0-9

Owens slams ref U-turn as Limerick secure Model date

LIMERICK 0-14, WATERFORD 0-9

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIER

By John Fallon for the Irish Independent newspaper

Monday July 18 2011

WATERFORD manager John Owens is convinced they should have been awarded a first-half penalty which could have changed the course of this qualifier at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds. Referee Cormac Reilly initially signalled a penalty after Paul Whyte went to ground, having been challenged by Tommy Stack, but the Meath official then changed his mind after consulting his umpires. It was a big call by Reilly, who controversially awarded Dublin a last-gasp match-winning free in the Leinster semi-final, but it seemed to be the correct decision as the Waterford attacker appeared to slip before harmlessly kicking the ball wide. At the time, Limerick, playing against the wind, led by 0-4 to 0-3, but went on to shoot the next four points as Waterford heads dropped.

And Waterford had further cause to be angry with the official when Gary Hurney was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident in the second-half, with referee Reilly again consulting his umpires before making the call. “Those decisions did make a significant difference to the game,” said Owens. “They are a good team and deserve their qualifier win, but we thought there was something there for us all through the second half. “From where I was, definitely, it was a penalty. And whatever happened Gary didn’t deserve a straight red. He had been treated rather harshly at other times when he didn’t get the rub of the green from the umpires. But that is it, the game is over now.”

Limerick boss Maurice Horan praised the referee for changing his mind after consulting his umpires. “We were on ground level and I honestly couldn’t see the penalty decision. I genuinely don’t know. But it must have been close. The referee gave it and you don’t see it too often — a referee after calling it going in to talk to his umpires,” said Horan. “He possibly said to himself that it wasn’t a penalty after all, but it was probably a bit frustrating for the Waterford management team and the players but fair play to him. We have seen referees make mistakes in the past. If it wasn’t a penalty well then fair play to him.”

He has now seen his men stitch together two qualifier victories after the debacle against Kerry but he feels they still have a lot to do to oust Wexford next weekend. “It wasn’t a very convincing performance and none of us will be getting too carried away. The look on the lads’ faces was relief more than anything else. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle. We were more nervous about this game than the previous game. We had something to prove in the Offaly game,” added Horan.

Ian Ryan, who scored 1-7 from play against Offaly, was held scoreless on Saturday evening but Stephen Kelly stepped up to the mark in impressive fashion. He kicked seven points, four of them from play, and was involved in most good things that came from a Limerick side who faltered either side of half-time. Waterford heads dropped after the penalty decision and Limerick proceeded to open up a lead of 0-8 to 0-3 after 27 minutes with a string of unanswered points. Waterford rallied before the break to score three points from Patrick Hurney, Brian Wall and Whyte to reduce the deficit to 0-9 to 0-7 at the break. And they drew level five minutes after the restart when Patrick Hurney and Whyte found their range.

However, they were given a mountain to climb when Gary Hurney was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident with Tom Lee after 60 minutes. At that stage two points from Kelly had edged Limerick back in front and they pushed on from there when Ger Collins pointed a free with five minutes remaining to leave a goal between them. And with their excellent defence shutting out anything Waterford could muster, the home side prevailed. They sealed a deserved success in the closing minutes as Kelly brought his haul to seven and substitute John Cooke also hit the target to set up a clash with Wexford.

Scorers — Limerick: S Kelly 0-7 (3fs), J Mullane, S O’Carroll, G Collins ( 1f) 0-2 each, J Cooke 0-1. Waterford: P Whyte 0-4 (2f, 1 ’45’), P Hurney 0-2, G Hurney, S Fleming, B Wall 0-1f each.

Limerick — B Scanlon 7; J McCarthy 6, T Stack 6, S Gallagher 7; M Sheehan 7, J Riordan 7, P Ranahan 7; S Buckley 8, T Lee 7; J Mullane 6, S Kelly 9, S Lavin 7; G Collins 7, S O’Carroll 7, I Ryan 6. Subs: B Fitzpatrick 6 for Stack (24), J Cooke 7 for Sheehan (46), E O’Connor 6 for Mullane (56), E Hogan 6 for O’Carroll (68), P Kinnerk 6 for Lee (72).

Waterford — K Cotter 6; T O’Gorman 7, C Phelan 7, M O’Gorman 6; W Hennessy 6, K Connery 6, T Grey 6; M Aherne 6, S Dempsey 6; C O’Keeffe 7, S Fleming 6, B Wall 6; P Hurney 7, G Hurney 5, P Whyte 7. Subs: B Phelan 6 for Dempsey (31), C McGrath 6 for Wall (h-t), T Connors 6 for P Hurney (62), JJ Hutchinson 6 for Fleming (72).

Ref — C Reilly (Meath)

SFC Qualifier: Treaty overcome 14-man Waterford

From the Hogan Stand web site

Limerick 0-14 Waterford 0-9

The accurate free-taking of Stephen Kelly proved decisive as Waterford – who celebrated their first ever qualifier win at London’s expense last weekend – were left to rue the dismissal of Gary Hurney in the 59th minute. The Waterford talisman was given his marching orders following a foul on Limerick midfielder Thomas Lee, and Maurice Horan’s side took full advantage by scoring the last five points of what was a poor quality game overall. Stephen Kelly and Paul Whyte traded early frees and the respective place kickers were on target again to leave the sides level on 0-3 apiece after 15 minutes. There then followed a major talking point when the referee signalled for a Waterford penalty, only to reverse his decision after consulting with his umpires. Following that let-off, Limerick went 0-5 to 0-3 ahead and, with Seanie Buckley and Thomas Lee getting on top at midfield, they extended their advantage to 0-9 to 0-4 thanks to scores from Kelly, John Mullane and Seamus O’Carroll.

However, three unanswered points from the influential Patrick Hurney, Brian Wall and Paul Whyte left Waterford trailing by just two, 0-7 to 0-9, at the break. The momentum remained with the Deise after the restart when they tagged on two further points to level the game at 0-9 apiece. A Kelly brace (one free, one ’45) had edged Limerick back in front before Hurney’s sending off knocked the stuffing out of the visitors’ challenge. And Limerick duly closed out the game with scores from Ger Collins and Kelly (two more frees) to move within 70 minutes of an All-Ireland quarter-final spot.

Match Preview

2011 Championship

Kerry 1-26 Limerick 3-9; Limerick 3-13 Offaly 0-15.

Cork 5-17 Waterford 2-8; Waterford 1-17 London 0-13.

They last met in the championship in 2010 when Limerick won a Munster semifinal by 1-17 to 1-9. Limerick also won in 1991-1989-1985, leaving Waterford looking for their first championships win over the Shannonsiders since 1981. The counties clashed in the Allianz League (Division 3) in Dungarvan on February 20 last with Waterford winning by 2-8 to 0-8, thanks to two goals from Mark Ferncombe. The winners will play Wexford in Round 4.

Team News

Waterford Senior Football team to play Limerick is a follows –

1. Kieran Cotter Geraldines

2. Maurice O’Gorman The Nire

3. Thomas O’Gorman The Nire

4. Kieran Connery Clashmore Kinsalebeg

5. Tony Grey Stradbally

6. Conor Phelan Brickey Rangers

7. Wayne Hennessey Ardmore

8. Brian Wall The Nire

9. Mick Ahearne Kill

10. Paul Whyte Kilrossanty

11. Sean Dempsey Colligan Emmets

12. Cillian O’Keeffe Clashmore Kinsalebeg

13. Sean Fleming Clashmore Kinsalebeg

14. Gary Hurney Ballinacourty

15. Patrick Hurney Ballinacourty

Manager: John Owens

Selectors: Jim McGrath, Kenny Hassett, Liam Dalton

Team Sec.: Eddie O’Grady
Limerick Senior Football Team V Waterford on 16th July 2011.

1. Brian Scanlon Brian Ó Scannláin Gerald Griffin’s.

2. Tommy Stack Tomas Stac Dromcollogher-Broadford.

3. Shane Gallagher Seán Ó Gallchoir Ballysteen.

4. Stephen Lavin Stiofán Ó Laimhin Adare.

5. John Riordan Seán Ó Riordáin Fr. Casey’s.

6. Johnny McCarthy Seán Mac Carthaigh St. Kierans.

7. Pa Ranahan Pádraig Ó Reannacháin Ballysteen.

8. Seanie Buckley Seán Ó Buachalla Dromcollogher-Broadford.

9. Thomas Lee Tomas Ó Laoi Ballylanders.

10. Stephen Kelly Stiofán Ó Ceallaigh Newcastlewest.

11 . John Mullane Sean Ó Maoláin St. Patrick’s.

12. Mike Sheehan Micheál Ó Siocháin Fr. Casey’s.

13. Ger Collins Gearoid Ó Coileáin Monaleen.

14. Seamus O Carroll Seamus Ó Cearúil Cappagh.

15. Ian Ryan Ian Ó Riain St. Senan’s.

Fir Ionaid

16. Donal O’Sullivan Dónall Ó Súilleabháin Monaleen.

17. Barry Fitzpatrick Barra Mac Giollapadraig Monaleen. Captain.

18. Mike McCormack Micheál Mac Cormaic Mungret.

19. Ray O’Flaherty Réamann Ó Flaitheartaigh St. Senan’s.

20. Paul Kinnerk Pól Mac Airchinnigh Monaleen.

21. Eoin Hogan Eoin Ó hÓgáin Na Piarsaigh

22. Eoghan O’Connor Eoghan Ó Conchúir St. Mary’s/Sean Finn’s.

23. James Kelly Seamus Ó Ceallaigh Newcastlewest.

24. Liam Costello Liam Mac Coisteala Adare.

25. Dave Ward Daithi Mac an Bhaird Fr. Casey’s.

26. Donagh Kelly Donagh Ó Ceallaigh Fr. Casey’s.

Manager Maurice Horan (Na Piarsaigh), Coach/Selector Ephie Fitzgerald, Selector Joe Lee (Newcastlewest).

Physiotherapists; Mark Van Drumpt & Jamie Bowman. Doctor; Dr. Mick Lucey.