Waterford started the game the better of the two sides in what was a cagey first half. Danny Reynolds tested the Limerick goalkeeper James Regan Magner from distance in a first half that produced few chances.
Limerick almost scored when Eoin Coffey sent a long through ball to Conor Coughlan who ran towards goal before firing a shot that came crashing off the Waterford post. Shane Donnegan couldn’t capitalise from the rebound because of an excellent tackle and clearance from Tommy McGrath.
McGrath was on hand to give Waterford a deserved lead early in the second half. A corner delivered in to the box was seemingly going to be cleared out of play, but Niall O’ Keefe managed to send it back into the danger area where McGrath nodded home from close range.
Waterford kept pressing, and soon got a second after some great interplay between Eoghan McGrath-Butler, Ben Breslin and Danny Ogundele ended with McGrath-Butler sending a low cross to Darragh Wall who swivelled a defender and finished into the bottom corner.
Limerick pushed on in search of a comeback, with substitute Cian McNicholas forcing a save from Waterford keeper Shane Burke before Shane Donnegan failed to capitalise on a clear-cut chance with ten minutes left to play.
Martin Sugrue’s side did claw one back after they were awarded a penalty by referee Gerard O’ Connor in the 85th minute. Goal scorer McGrath took down Conor Coughlan in the box to hand Limerick a lifeline. Coughlan stepped up and took the penalty himself, sending the keeper the wrong to set up a nervy final few minutes for Waterford.
In the dying moments of the game Anthony Brown’s men sealed their victory. Niall O’ Keeffe finished sublimely with a chip over the keeper into the top left hand corner to ensure it was Waterford who emerged victorious.
Waterford captain Luke Walsh: “We weren’t happy with our first half performance again today so at half time going into the dressing room, we knew that there was going to be words had and in fairness our manager did get onto us but it’s his words that gave us that lift in the second half.”
Limerick & District League: James Regan Magner, Eoin Coffey, Dylan O’ Neill, Jason Cross, Jack Dunne, Colm Barret, Shane Donnegan, Dylan Sheehan, Conor Coughlan, Stephen Coughlan, Killian Maloney.
Waterford & District Association Football League: Shane Burke, Eoghan McGrath-Butler, Danny Reynolds, Tommy McGrath, Desmond Ulamen, Ben Breslin, Luke Walsh, Niall O’ Keeffe, Darragh Wall, Danny Ogundele, David Walsh.
Referee: Gerard O’Connor.
via GET Sportonline
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