John Kiely declared that “there’s more in us” after watching his Limerick side march into another All-Ireland final.
An 11-point victory sent Limerick into successive finals for the first time in 47 years and they will be raging hot favourites to complete the county’s first ever two-in-a-row, regardless of how tomorrow's Kilkenny-Cork semi-final plays out.
Limerick absorbed a physical onslaught from Waterford in the first quarter to move eight points clear by half-time and Aaron Gillane’s goal 15 minutes from time sealed an emphatic win.
Kiely said: “From the get-go, we had good shape and structure to what we were about. It took us a while and the scoreboard was slow to get moving for both sides. After 12 minutes it was 0-4/0-3 but at the same time we were creating chances and using the ball well and I felt we had good structure.
“We worked hard but I still think there’s a bit more in us in that regard. Hopefully the game today will give us a platform to go up another notch but in terms of our efficiency and use of the ball I was very pleased.”
A run of six points without reply shortly after the first water break was effectively where Limerick won the game and Kiely added: “We felt even before the water break we were beginning to get an upper hand in certain areas but we just hadn’t converted that into scores and needed to keep going after that. We needed to be patient and that was the message.”
The only blot on the copybook was Peter Casey’s second half red card for an off the ball incident that, as things stand, will rule him out of the decider on August 22.
When questioned if Limerick may challenge Casey’s dismissal, Kiely replied: “I haven’t seen the footage. I do know talking to Peter that there was a clash of heads but nothing malicious, nothing of any significance but at the same time, you have to be very, very careful, especially in that position.
“For us at the minute we’ll just take a day or two to reflect and see what the picture looks like and take it from there but at the moment I think you can take it he won’t be with us.”
Meanwhile, Waterford boss Liam Cahill had no complaints after what he described as “a powerful display from Limerick”.
“Really physically commanding again,” he said. “Real good awareness of what they bring as a team, where every player needs to be. Executed their usual gameplan of holding possession and being able to find the right man at the right time
“Our boys battled hard. After the first water break we seemed to empty a little bit and give Limerick a foothold at that stage. They kept the scoreboard ticking over Limerick and were five, six up before we knew it and you’re chasing the match at that stage.”
