It wasn’t supposed to be this easy for Kilkenny.
The Cats’ under-17s blitzed an explosive path through Leinster all the way to the final only to come up short in that goal-fest, game of the year against an inspired Dublin outfit.
After they lost to Galway in the preliminary semi-final last weekend, the pressure was really on Richie Mulrooney’s side in Semple Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they travelled to Thurles to take on defeated Munster finalists Limerick in a do-or-die clash.
Limerick, playing in Thurles for their third time in the last four weeks looked more at home in the early stages of this semi-final qualifier, and they held a one point, 0-8 0-7 lead over the black and amber boys after 22 first half minutes.
That was as good as it would get for Antoin Power’s men, who became a little leggy and jaded as the game wore on, however.
Kilkenny were quick to punish this Limerick lethargy, reeling off 1-4 without reply from the 22nd minute to half-time, with Ballyragget forward Jack Morrissey’s goal just on the stroke of the break proving a real spirit-crusher for the Shannonsiders.
The Leinster runners-up smelt blood, and like all Kilkenny teams do, they went for the jugular and struck while the iron was hot. Once they got on top, they’d never let up as they ruthlessly strove to bury their advantage home.
Minor Team Vs Limerick pic.twitter.com/ul865MgtjS
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) July 21, 2018
They picked up from they left off after the break, hitting Limerick for five rapid white flags before they knew they were even in the second half of this game.
That man Jack Morrissey was the star of the show for Kilkenny, and when he rattled the Limerick net again in the second half, his side were home and hosed.
From there, they turned on the style with substitute Killian Hogan goaling shortly after his introduction.
They went onto win by sixteen points, 3-22 to 1-12 being the final score.
In the interests of fairness, you’d have to feel for the Limerick lads. This was their 17-year-olds’ seventh game in this competition – just as it was Kilkenny’s – but at the same time, Galway have made it through to the semis having only played two. That’s hardly a level playing field.
Now they’re headed for a semi-final date with Munster winners Tipperary in Croke Park on Sunday July 29.
On the same day, Galway will play Dublin in the other last four clash.
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