Waterford qualify for Munster Cup final
Waterford League. Photos: Noel Browne
Waterford qualified for the Munster Cup Final of the FAI Oscar Traynor Cup after beating Limerick Desmond League at Ben Wadding Park on Sunday afternoon for the second season in a row. Charlie Binions and Dara O’Brien provided the goals with two excellent strikes to put the reigning Oscar Traynor champions in pole position but Limerick fought back with a late goal. However the Blues held on to gain a well deserved victory.
Limerick had a chance to go in front after two minutes when striker Pa Aherne latched onto a poor pass from Waterford defender Ben Daly but his strike shot high and wide from just inside the box. The Limerick goalkeeper Andrew Ruddle did well to keep out an effort from Dean Walsh out of his net on eight minutes. Walsh turned a defender and moved the ball onto his right foot but his strike was well saved by the 'keeper. Five minutes later Walsh crossed for Dara O'Brien but the Tramore hit man headed wide from close range. Waterford had control of the game at this stage but Limerick defended in numbers and played on the counter attack. The home team continued to press high on their opponents and both Charlie Binions and Walsh were denied by Andrew Ruddle. Binions broke down the left after an Aaron O’Connor pass but the Limerick keeper was well positioned to save at his near post. Ruddle was in the action again minutes later as Dean Walsh found space inside the box but the Limerick keeper was well positioned to save. Waterford broke the deadlock on 38 minutes. O'Connor played the ball to O'Brien and when he played the ball into the penalty area, Binions took the ball on his right foot before firing a right foot shot into the far corner of the net. Waterford had a glorious opportunity to double their lead with the last move of the first half. Dean Walsh did the hard work as he burst into the box, however the ball got stuck under his foot and he shot straight at the Limerick goalkeeper from point blank range.
Waterford went close to scoring again 11 minutes into the second half when Adam Conway showed his pace as he took on Limerick defence and his 30 yard effort beat the 'keeper but the ball flew wide of the far upright. Waterford did however double their lead two minutes later. Quick build-up play from the middle of the pitch saw Binions play the ball inside to Conor Whittle. The Villa player let fly from inside the 18 yard box and his effort was blocked by Limerick defender Alan O’Shea. However O'Brien was first to react and he showed a striker's instinct as he lashed the ball into the net before the Limerick defenders could move. Waterford took their foot off the pedal following that goal and Limerick got a grip on the game. Gavin Buckley produced a fantastic save from Jack Hennessey on 66 minutes and five minutes later, Hennessey cracked the ball off Gavin Buckley's crossbar. The game was well and truly in the melting pot when the Desmond League left winger, David Geary beat Gavin Buckley with an angled shot from the edge of the penalty area with 17 minutes remaining. Led superbly by central defender and captain Darryl Walsh and Aaron O’Connor in midfield, the Waterford defence stood firm and played out the remaining minutes.
