Last Five Clashes | Limerick meet Offaly for first time since 2018 National Hurling League

Limerick are set to take on Offaly in the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday the 20th of March at 13:45pm.

Limerick have had quite the shaky start to this years Hurling League as they have secured just a solitary point from their draw to Clare a fortnight ago.

The All-Ireland champions look to put these woes behind them with a win over an Offaly team who are coming off the back of four successive losses, the most recent coming against Wexford.

John Kiely’s men showed spirit against Clare as they clinched a draw in a game where they looked second best for a significant portion.

Limerick will be hopeful that they can build on that performance against an Offaly side who are back in the top flight of the League for the first time in a decade.

The last time the sides met was in 2018, when Limerick proved too strong in Tullamore, as they went on to win promotion back to the top tier.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash, we look back on their most recent meetings.

Offaly 2-15 : 2-15 Limerick (Allianz National Hurling League)

16 March 2014 in O’Connor Park

Offaly dealt Limerick a huge blow to their promotion hopes from Allianz Hurling League Division 1B O’Connor Park when they rescued a 2-15 to 2-15 draw thanks to Joe Bergin’s last minute score.

Limerick led most of the way but managed to let a four point lead slip in injury time, dampening their promotion hopes.

Kevin Downes and Paul Browne gave Limerick the early advantage that was 0-8 to 0-6 at the break despite Offaly not scoring from play.

Shane Dooley levelled for Offaly before Graeme Mulcahy found the net for Limerick as they moved five in front. But Offaly replied in kind with Dan Currams goal helping them into their first lead of the day.

Again Mulcahy was on hand for a timely three pointer for Limerick who moved 2-15 to 1-14 ahead approaching injury time.

But a goal from Peter Geraghty brought the Leinster side within one with Bergin finding the leveller.

This was a huge result for Offaly as it pulled them off the bottom of the league giving them an advantage in the relegation play-offs that they would go on to win as Limerick’s wait for promotion continued.

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Limerick 0-21 : 1-21 Offaly (Allianz National Hurling League)

14 March 2015 in the Gaelic Grounds

Offaly caused a big upset when beating Limerick 1-21 to 0-21 at the Gaelic Grounds.

Despite having Shane Dowling being shown a red card in the second minute, Limerick were able to build a 0-12 to 1-07 half-time lead.

Emmet Nolan netted for the visitors but Limerick finished the first half strongest with points from Donal O’Grady, Cian Lynch, Tobin and a superb strike from Paul Browne.

Offaly hit the first two scores of the second to move level but Limerick regained their lead which was 0-18 to 1-12 with twenty to play.

Limerick went fourteen minutes without a score afterwards as Offaly hit six on the bounce.

Seanie O’Brien, David Reidy and Browne clinched late points for Limerick to move them within a score of their opponents but the visitors held on for the win, Limerick’s first loss of the year.

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Offaly 0-14 : 1-19 Limerick (Allianz National Hurling League)

6 March 2016 in O’Connor Park

The Shannonsiders travelled to O’Connor Park in Tullamore and handily defeated the challenge of Offaly in their National League clash.

Awful shooting from either side was the theme of the contest that was high on intensity but somewhat lacking in precision with Limerick hitting eleven first half wides.

Nonetheless, Limerick led 1-11 to 0-8 at the half, Declan Hannon taking full advantage of a mishit pass in the Offaly rearguard to bag the only goal of the game.

The sides were level prior to that but Limerick powered ahead in the next five minutes, putting up four points through Tom Morrissey, Declan Hannon and two long range frees from Diarmuid Byrnes.

Still Offaly, kept with the visitors but were unable to take any of their goal chances as Limerick tacked on the final four scores for a comprehensive victory.

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Limerick 1-25 : 3-15 Offaly (Allianz National Hurling League)

4 March 2017 in the Gaelic Grounds

14-men Limerick were made to work for a four point win over Offaly in the third round of the National League.

Against the breeze, Limerick had the first six points on offer. But seemingly cruising, Offaly responded in stlye and by the 27th minute they were level when Shane Dooley hit the net.

Things got worse for Limerick who lost John Fitzgibbon to a red just before half time with Offaly leading 1-13 to 0-14 at the turn of ends.

Andrew La Touche Cosgrave found the net for Limerick early in the second half but Offaly replied with a pair of goals to reestablish the lead.

Yet TJ Ryan’s side were able to find seven of the last nine scores to earn the victory.

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Offaly 0-10 : 1-24 Limerick (Allianz National Hurling League)

4 February 2018 in O’Connor Park Tullamore

Limerick managed to power their way past Offaly throughout this game to claim their second win of the league campaign away from home at O’Conner Park.

The away side were competitive in the opening quarter but a penalty miss proved detrimental in their hopes as they succumbed to a 1-24 to 0-10 loss.

It was disappointing outing for Offaly as it seemed the hosts were up to the challenge early in the game with the teams deadlocked at 0-5 apiece after twenty.

But Kiely’s men found seven of the final nine scores of the half for a 0-12 to 0-7 lead.

Offaly lost Dermot Short very early into the second half as he was shown a second yellow card and he received his marching orders.

Offaly were already trailing by seven points by this point before Limerick grabbed the only goal of the game shortly after as Aaron Gillane fired the ball home to put the game out of reach for the hosts.

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Limerick take on Offaly at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday the 20th of March at 13:45pm