And so the All-Ireland under-21 hurling semi-finals are set.
Limerick v Galway
Derry v Kilkenny
That’s right, the Oak Leaf county stormed to just their sixth ever provincial under-21 title when they won the Ulster championship on Wednesday night in the most ruthless of fashion and now they will take on the Cats for a place in the final.
A 14-point dismantling of Down delivered the gong to Derry for the first time in nine years with two goals from substitute Corey O’Reilly sending them on their way whilst Brian Cassidy chipped in with a goal and two points himself.
It is the first time since 2008 that any county outside of Antrim have won the Ulster-21 hurling title, the Saffrons winning eight in a row before Derry bridged that gap back to when they themselves were last victors.
In Limerick, the Treaty county got back to the top of Munster hurling again with a tight win over Cork.
Limerick edged out the Rebels at the Gaelic Grounds with just two points to spare on a scoreline of 0-16 to 1-11.
Of course, the obligatory pitch invasion took place in trademark beautiful fashion.
Pitch invasion for @LimerickCLG U21s 🎉🎉🎉#Hurlingtothecore @BGEGAA pic.twitter.com/sXqFv194oa
— SPIN South West (@SPINSouthWest) July 26, 2017
And, ahead of their clash with Galway in the last four of the All-Ireland series, the players were sure to savour the moment and what a joyous moment it was.
Both under-21 semi-finals will take place on Saturday 19 August with times and venues to be confirmed.
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