In a thrilling climax, before a crowd of 2,599, the hosts closed within a point on two occasions but Limerick held their composure.

Top scorer Paul O’Brien sealed their place in the provincial showpiece on July 10 at the Gaelic Grounds with a free two minutes into injury time. It was the Mungret/St Paul’s forward’s tenth point for the winners.

Their lead stood at six with twelve minutes remaining but a spirited Déise rose to the challenge, scoring five points in a row.

Kyle Hayes and Cian Magnier Flynn appeared to move Limerick out of trouble but they needed to hold off another home surge to progress.

Scorers for Waterford: E Murray 0-5 (3fs); J Prendergast, C Dalton, M Mahony, D Power, T Douglas 0-2 each; C Kirwan, N Montgomery 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: P O’Brien 0-10 (8fs); B Ryan 0-3; D Carroll (1 s-l), K Hayes 0-2 each; C Magnier Flynn, D Woulfe 0-1 each.

Waterford: B Nolan (Roanmore); C Giles Doran (De La Salle), J Flavin (Ardmore), T Barron (Fourmilewater); L Wall (De La Salle), H Ruddle Redmond (Ballygunner), C Dalton (Clonea); D Power (Passage), C Curran (Brickey Rangers); E McGrath (Butlerstown), M Mahony (Ballygunner), N Montgomery (Abbeyside); T Douglas (De La Salle), E Murray (Ballyduff Upper), J Prendergast (Lismore).

Subs: D Guiry (Fourmilewater) for McGrath (29); C Kirwan (Fenor) for Montgomery (43); J Reade (St Mollerans) for Wall (57).

Limerick: M O’Kelly (Croom); B Nash (South Liberties), C Nicholas (Monaleen), F Hourigan (Murroe/Boher); M O Grady (Knockainey), J Adams (Ballybrown), B Timmons Murroe/Boher); C McCarthy (Kilmallock), D Carroll (Newport); B Ryan (South Liberties), C Magnier Flynn (Killeedy), D Woulfe (Kilmallock); C Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), K Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), P O’Brien (Mungret/St Pauls).

Subs: J Flynn (Patrickswell) for McCarthy (H-T); C O’Connor (Kilmallock) for Timmons (41); M Bourke (Garryspillane) for Adams (56); A Barrett (Kilmallock) for Woulfe (58).

Referee: N Wall (Cork)