2007 All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final: Limerick v Waterford

[@johnadams20132013]

Waterfords best chance of reaching an All Ireland final That year wasted Waterford side

[@CR19917]

Waterford's fifth championship match that year - three against Cork and two against Limerick. In 2007 there was no added incentive for winning Munster - the championship was structured differently for the year - however the following year the old format where the Munster champions automatically qualified for the All Ireland semi finals was reintroduced. Waterford beat Limerick in the Munster Final by about 10 points however both teams knew before the game that they'd already qualified for the All Ireland quarter finals. There were four quarter finals in 2007 - as opposed to the two quarter finals we had prior to and since that year's championship. Waterford's reward for winning Munster? A quarter final match against Cork - who they'd already beaten in the Munster championship - a Cork team who were trying to reach their FIFTH all Ireland final in a row - a Cork team that'd won two of the previous three All Irelands. Waterford needed a replay to beat them in the quarter-final - by the time this game versus Limerick (who again Waterford had already beaten) came around - it was four games in four weeks for Waterford - who were littered with injuries and suspensions. Limerick on the other hand, played a relatively poor Clare side in the quarter finals - and were waiting in the long grass for the league and Munster champions - Waterford. Three quick-fire goals at the beginning of the game put Limerick 11 points up and Waterford never fully recovered. I do believe that Waterford could have won the All Ireland in 2007 had they been drawn against another team in the Quarter finals - or had they got a "by" into the semis - but they were the victim of circumstances and although they reached the final the following year - in hindsight it was a year too late. They were a better team in 2007. Cork and Kilkenny were seen as the "big two" at the time - Waterford had knocked Cork out of both the Munster and All-Ireland championship - and had beaten Kilkenny in the league final (it's not "only the league" anymore once you're in the final).

[@EMGL33]

@@CR19917 I disagree i think if Waterford had beaten limerick that day i think Kilkenny would have beaten them in the final no disrespect to Waterford but that Kilkenny team was brilliant

[@12345Yeah]

@@CR19917 they would have been lambs to the slaughter

[@EMGL33]

Come on Limerick Andrew was on fire that day

[@markhanley3180]

Hon limerick

[@tonynolan6452]

Referee did not do justice to Limerick vWaterford,no more than did the commentator.when .He kept making excuses for how tired Waterford were.in the subsequent All Ireland again limerick were blackguarded.Sheflin hit Lucy in the mouth and got away with it,while SeamusHickey was targeted for special treatmen.No action was taken against Kilkenny by the referee.

[@tonynolan6452]

The attitude towards Limerick back then was They are no hopers they don't count

[@terencebuckley6788]

Before this game was played, Michael Duignan was looking forward to a Waterford KK final

[@johnadams20132013]

Where is the score board

[@FoMoCo123]

Without a doubt Ger Canning was the worst match commentator RTE have ever had. Brutal . Waterford were poorly prepared that day

[@claireregina1988]

Waterford should have beaten limerick