National Hurling League round-up: Waterford cruise past Tipperary | Clare draw with Limerick
A round-up of Sunday's action in the Allianz Hurling League. Waterford recovered from an early six-point deficit to comfortably see off Tipperary in Walsh Park, while Clare and Limerick played out a draw in Ennis. Elsewhere, Laois condemned Antrim to the Division 1 relegation play-off.
Monday 7 March 2022 13:43, UK
Waterford have joined Cork and Wexford in the Division 1 semi-finals.
Waterford 1-28 Tipperary 0-21
Waterford laid down a marker ahead of their championship opener against Tipperary in six weeks' time, after a 10-point victory over the Premier as Liam Cahill's side continued their unbeaten run in the National League and qualified for the semi-final.
Playing with a strong wind, Tipperary made a flying start. Jason Forde, Michael Breen and Mark Kehoe all registered points as Colm Bonnar's side stormed into a 0-9 to 0-3 lead.
However, the home side eventually clicked into gear, and mustered an emphatic response.
Stephen Bennett found the net in the 21st minute, after an excellent run by Mikey Kiely and smart play from Patrick Curran.
The Déise sharpshooter took care of business from placed balls, as Waterford scored 1-6 without reply to take the lead.
Breen managed to steady the ship for Tipperary, but Waterford took a 1-13 to 0-14 lead into half-time.
Tipp competed well in the third quarter, with Jake Morris and Forde levelling the contest with the first two points of the half.
The tie looked to be in the balance when Conor Bowe kept the Premier within a single point in the 51st minute. But from there, Waterford took control. Bennett finished with a stunning personal tally of 1-16, as the home side posted 10 points without reply.
Waterford are warming up nicely with the Munster Championship on the horizon. Liam Cahill welcomed Pauric Mahony back, as the Ballygunner sharpshooter make an appearance off the bench, and there are several other big names still to come back into the team.
Waterford: Shaun O'Brien; Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty, Shane McNulty; Jack Fagan, Tadhg de Búrca (0-1), Iarlaith Daly (0-2); Cian Wadding, Darragh Lyons; Neil Montgomery, Patrick Curran (0-3), Kieran Bennett (0-1); Stephen Bennett (1-16, 0-11f), Mikey Kiely (0-1), Jack Prendergast (0-3).
Subs: Shane Bennett for Mikey Kiely (55), Mikey Mahony (0-1) for Kieran Bennett (55), Pauric Mahony for Conor Prunty (64),Conor Dalton for Jack Fagan (70), Billy Power for Jack Prendergast (70).
Tipperary: Barry Hogan; Cathal Barrett, James Quigley, Brian McGrath (0-1); Dillon Quirke, Ronan Maher (0-2, 0-1f), Robert Byrne; Paddy Cadell, Barry Heffernan; Conor Bowe (0-3), Jason Forde (0-6, 0-4f), Michael Breen (0-4); Mark Kehoe (0-3), John McGrath, Jake Morris (0-2).
Subs: Alan Flynn for Paddy Cadell (ht), Denis Maher for John McGrath (55), Noel McGrath for Conor Bowe (64), Conor Stakelum for Jason Forde (68), Cian Darcy for Dillon Quirke (71).
Clare 0-18 Limerick 0-18
All-Ireland champions Limerick remain without a win after four games in the National League, but John Kiely's charges did collect their first point of the campaign.
The Treaty led for much of the contest, taking a 0-11 to 0-9 lead into half-time. However, the Banner County mounted a comeback, and led 0-17 to 0-15 as the game turned for home. But the visitors managed to dig deep and ultimately secure a draw.
Both teams finished with 14, after Aaron Gillane and Jack Browne were both shown second yellow cards.
Despite the result, Limerick will need a draw or win against Offaly in their final game in order to avoid a relegation play-off.
Laois 1-20 Antrim 1-19
Fourteen-man Laois upset Antrim in O'Moore Park with a spirited display that ensures they will remain in Division 1 for 2023.
They made a dream start, with Paddy Purcell hitting the net in the fifth minute. Neil McManus kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Saffrons, and Darren Gleeson's charges were handed a major boost when Laois were reduced to 14 after Jack Kelly was shown a straight red card for striking an opponent with his stick.
Nonetheless, Laois kicked on to build a 1-11 to 0-8 lead at the break.
Antrim made a bright start to the second half, with three unanswered points
As the numerical disadvantage began to take its toll on the O'Moore County, Antrim gathered momentum. A McManus goal in the 62nd minute levelled the contest, and substitute Eoin O'Neill gave the visitors the lead as the game entered injury time.
However, late scores from PJ Scully and Cha Dwyer sealed a memorable triumph for Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett's side.
Antrim will now face Offaly or Limerick in the relegation play-off.
Laois: Enda Rowland (0-1, 0-1f); Diarmuid Conway, Sean Downey, James Keyes (0-2); Podge Delaney, Liam O'Connell, Ryan Mullaney; Fiachra Fennell, Jack Kelly; Paddy Purcell (1-1), Michael Dowling, Ross King; Willie Dunphy (0-2), Cha Dwyer (0-4), Stephen Maher (0-8, 0-5f, 0-1 '65).
Subs: PJ Scully (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1sl) for Mark Dowling (50), Aidan Corby for Ross King (56), Stephen Bergin for Stephen Maher (71).
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; David Kearney (0-2), Gerard Walsh (0-1), Stephen Rooney; Paddy Burke (0-1), Eoghan Campbell (0-1), Ryan McGarry; Keelan Molloy, Daniel McKernan; Michael Bradley (0-2), Domhnall Nugent, Conal Cunning (0-2); Sean Elliott (0-1), Neil McManus (1-6, 0-6f), Ciaran Clarke (0-2).
Subs: James McNaughton for Sean Elliott (ht), C McCann for Daniel Nugent (ht), Conor Johnston for David Kearney (59), Eoin O'Neill (0-1) for Keelan Molloy (62), Ryan McCambridge for Michael Bradley (69).
