Minor hurlers edged out by Waterford

Sun, 27th July 2014

WATERFORD 2-18 DUBLIN 0-19

The All-Ireland dream is over for Dublin's minor hurlers as they battled all the way in Sunday's Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC quarter-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Shane Ryan was the goal-scoring here of the Déise, striking one in each half, to separate these well-matched sides.

Ryan's goals came in the 11th and 41st minutes and ultimately were the difference as Dublin fought back from six points in arrears at one stage of the first half to get on level terms early in the second period.

Dublin were left to rue the concession of the first goal as Patrick Curran intercepted the sliotar as Dublin attempted to move it out of defence before Ryan struck for Waterford's first goal to give his side a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage.

With ten minutes remaining in the half Waterford had extended their lead to 1-6 to 0-3 following a Patrick Curran free.

However, Dublin upped their game and points from Chris Bennett (free), Rian McBride and another Bennett free ensure Dublin were still in contact at the break when trailing 0-8 to 1-8.

Dublin enjoyed their best period on the restart with points from Bennett and Eoghan McHugh and by the 35th minute the sides were level.

Eleven minutes into the second half Waterford struck for their second goal - team captain Ryan again on the mark and Darragh Lyons' subsequent point gave the Munster final runners-up a six-point lead, 2-13 to 0-13.

Inside the concluding ten minutes Dublin have cut the deficit to two points but the defending All-Ireland minor hurling champions held on to progress to the last four.

WATERFORD: B Nolan; D Prendergast, E Hayden, M Cronin; C Prunty, C Gleeson, J Mullaney; D Lyons (0-2), C Curran (0-3); S Bennett (0-4, 1 sline), C Roche (0-1), A Molumby; P Hogan (0-3), P Curran (0-4, 3f), S Ryan (2-1). Subs: S Murray for Prendergast (33), MJ Sutton for Molumby (44).

DUBLIN: J Treacy; M McCallion, S Barrett, D Butler; E Conroy, J Malone, C Brady; R McBride (0-1), C O’Sullivan; S Ryan (0-1), E McHugh (0-1), E Ó Conghaile (0-2);E Dunne, C O’Callaghan (0-2), C Bennett (0-8, 6f). Subs: P O’Dea for Brady (28), T Fox (0-2) for O’Sullivan (29), S Gray (0-2, 1 '65') for Dunne (ht).

REF: J Heffernan (Wexford).