Limerick 2-23

Galway 2-19

Limerick scored four late points to edge out Galway at Thurles and set up an All-Ireland U21HC final showdown with Kilkenny next month.

With 6,524 in attendance, the Treaty County led by 2-13 to 0-14 seven minutes into the second half, but Galway hit back with goals from Jack Coyne and senior star Conor Whelan to lead by 2-17 to 2-15 after 47 minutes. But the pre-match favourites shot seven of the last nine points, including the last four in stoppage-time per Aaron Gillane, Thomas Grimes (two) and Robbie Hanley to book their place in the decider on September 9, which offers them the chance to avenge their All-Ireland minor final loss to the Cats three years ago.

The closeness of the exchanges was reflected in the fact that the teams were level 10 times, including in the final minutes of normal time when Evan Niland restored parity for Galway. But the more battled-hardened Munster champions had the final say.

Limerick played against the wind in the first half, but were level with the Westerners at half-time, 1-9 to 0-12, thansk to Peter Casey's 10th minute goal. Casey shot two early points from the right wing before raising the game's first green flag after Galway goalkeeper Darragh Gilligan had blocked Tom Morrissey's initial shot. 

Kevin McHugo and Barry Murphy traded points before the Tribesmen scored three without reply courtesy of Dan Nevin, Thomas Monaghan and Sean Linnane to tie up the scoring at 0-6 to 1-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The sides continued to exchange scores during the remainder of the half, with a Conor Whelan free leaving it all-square at the short whistle.

A Barry Murphy goal at the start of the second half propelled Limerick into a five-point lead, but Galway responded with Coyne's goal and points from Whelan and Jack Grealish to level the scoring at 1-16 to 2-13 with 43 minutes gone.

Cian Lynch had Limerick back in front before Whelan's goal had Galway two up with 13 minutes remaining.

Points from sub Andrew La Touche and Kyle Hayes levelled proceedings once again and the sides were level on two further occasions before Limerick's late surge decided it.

Limerick - E McNamara; S Finn, D Fanning, D Joy; R Lynch, K Hayes (0-1), T Grimes (0-2); C Ryan, R Hanley (0-1); A Gillane (0-8, 4f, 2'65), B Murphy (1-2), C Lynch (0-1); P Casey (1-2), T Morrissey, B Nash (0-4). Subs: A La Touche Cosgrave (0-1) for T Morrissey, C Boylan (0-1) for C Ryan, J O'Grady for S Finn, S Flanagan for B Murphy, M Mackey for B Nash.

Galway - D Gilligan; D Cronin, C Cosgrove, I Fox; J Grealish (0-1), J Mooney, S Loftus (0-1f); K McHugo (0-1), D Nevin (0-2, 1f); B Concannon (0-4), S Linnane (0-1), T Monaghan (0-4); C Whelan (1-3, 0-1f), C Burke, J Coyne (1-1). Subs: C O'Connor for I Fox, E Niland (0-1f) for C Burke, G Loughnane for J Coyne, F Burke for J Mooney, R Elwood for K McHugo.

Referee - J Keenan.

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