Waterford Crystal Cup: Waterford begin 2015 in victory
Brian O’Halloran netted Waterford’s only goal, as they began 2015 on a winning note, while there were wins also for Cork and Tipperary over the weekend.
It proved to be a trio of wins for county teams over college outfits, with LIT, Mary Immaculate College and UL all exiting the competition.
O’Halloran bagged 1-4 on the way to a 1-22 to 0-18 win over Limerick IT at Carriganore.
The Clashmore clubmans 48th minute strike kicked the Deise to life, after the sides were tied 0-14 apiece just seven minutes into the second half.
Pauric Mahony was also very active on the score-sheet over the 70 minutes plus, and registered 10 points, including eight from placed balls.
Earlier Waterford opened up a four-point lead, but LIT worked hard in defence, and four David Reidy frees along with two Seanie O’Brien scores from play ensured a 0-9-all scoreline after 31 minutes.
But Waterford kicked on before the break to take an 0-11 to 0-9 interval advantage.
Level at 0-14 apiece, Waterford took control and held LIT to four points in the closing 25 minutes, with O’Halloran’s goal the catalyst for victory.
Luke O’Farrell registered nine points, including eight from frees as Cork emerged with a hard earned 1-18 to 1-15 win over University of Limerick at CIT Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Leading by 1-11 to 0-4 at half-time, with Dayne Lee netting the hosts goal the Rebels were firmly in control, but almost let victory slip from their grasp on the restart.
UL stormed back and following a Conor Martin score after 66 minutes, the score-line stood at 1-16 to 1-14.
Martin had also netted UL’s second half goal, but Cork settled late on, with O’Farrell’s nine point and a score from substitute Brian Lawton.
On Friday, Seamus Callanan dug deep for Tipperary, to deliver a 4-16 to 1-16 win over Mary Immaculate College on a wet evening in Thurles.
In the 60th minute the sides were level at 1-14 apiece, but Callanan fired a hat-trick in a three-minute spell to book a place in next weekend’s quarter-finals.
Mary Immaculate led by 0-11 to 0-10 at the end of a keenly contested opening half, and despite the brilliance of David Reidy (0-10) and a goal from Tipperary panellist Niall O’Meara, Mary I were hit with a firm sucker punch in the closing minutes.
Tipperary will now face Clare next Sunday at Sixmilebridge, while the times and venues for Cork v CIT, Limerick v Waterford and Kerry v UCC will be confirmed early this week.
