LIMERICK’S bid to reach their first All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final since 2016 ended in defeat as they fell to a 4-18 to 0-15 against Galway in Ennis.
The Treaty were seven points down at the break but a gallant second half effort saw them crawl back into the game only for Galway to come out victorious.
Galway led by the minimum heading into the final stages but three quick Galway goals put pay to any hope of a sensational comeback.
Liam Collins open the scoring for Galway on four minutes but Adam English soon levelled with an outstanding effort from play.
Colm Molloy then put Galway in front for a second time and moments later he was denied a goal by a fine Tomas Lynch save.
A Liam Lynch free had the game level for a second time but Galway soon hit form by scoring 1-3 without reply. The goal coming from an excellent well worked move that was finished to the net by Ruben Davitt.
Lynch was on target again for Limerick just before the water break but efforts from Gavin Lee and Davitt saw Galway 1-5 to 0-3 ahead at the first water break.
Galway continued to dominate in the second quarter with points from Colm Molloy (2) and Davitt while Limerick had another Lynch free and seven wides to show for at half time, down 1-8 to 0-4.
Limerick came out of the blocks flying in the second half with by sending over six in a row; Cian Scully, Liam Lynch (2), Patrick O’Donovan (2) and Shane O’Brien and now there was just one between the sides.
Galway settled and knocked over three in a row themselves before Limerick did the same with English and two superb Shane O’Brien scores saw just one between the sides, 1-11 to 0-13 in Galway’s favour.
Molloy, who was a constant source of torment throughout, scored his fourth of the day to put Galway two clear again with eight minutes remaining.
Galway then put the game to bed with two goals in quick succession from Lee and Collins to book their spot in the All-Ireland Final. Collins added a fourth in added time to seal a 15-point win.
Scorers: Liam Lynch 0-6 (5f, ’65, ), Shane O’Brien 0-3, Adam English and Patrick O’Donovan 0-2 each, Cian Scully and Joseph Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
Limerick: Tomas Lyons; Joseph Fitzgerald, Vince Harrington, Ronan Lyons; Billy Molyneaux, Cian Scully, Sean Whelan; John Kirby, Barry Duff; Luke O’Connor, Liam Lynch, Ethan Hurley; Shane O’Brien, Adam English, Patrick O’Donovan.
Subs: Dylan Lynch for Molyneaux (h-t), Eoin Harmon for Duff (43), Adam Fitzgerald for O’Connor (44).
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