Croke Park glory for Limerick footballers after final win over Wexford

Limerick’s senior footballers are basking in glory this Saturday evening following a 3-11 to 0-18 win over Wexford in the Division 4 League Final at Croke Park.

Goals from Darragh O Siochru and send half three-pointers from Peter Nash and Tommie Childs saw Limerick earn league silverware at GAA HQ for the first time since 2013.

Jimmy Lee’s men were full value for the win ahead of their Munster SFC opener with Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds next weekend.

Limerick led by O Siochru’s goal at the break but that could have been doubled only for Emmet Rigter to miss a guilt-edged opportunity just before the half time buzzer.

However, Rigter was imperious outside of that missed chance with a superb performance when dovetailing from full-forward to midfield.

Limerick were 0-3 to 0-1 up after 12 minutes with two Naughton points and another from the boot of McCarthy.

Wexford fought back to level at 0-5 apiece before O Siochru stuck in Limerick’s first goal on 24 minutes. He linked with Naughton and fired to the net to give Limerick a deserved three-point half time lead.

The Yellowbellies made the better start in the second half and were level after nabbing the first three scores but a second Limerick goal had them reeling.

Just on the pitch two minutes, Nash found the bottom corner of the net at the Hill 16 end with his first possession to restore a three-point advantage.

With 10 minutes remaining, Wexford levelled once more after a two-point free from keeper Darragh Brooks but it was Limerick that would have the last laugh as Childs fired in the winning goal that sealed a two-point winning margin

Scorers – Limerick: Darragh O Siochru and Tommie Childs 1-1 each, James Naughton 0-4 (3f), Peter Nash 1-0, Emmet Rigter 0-2, Tony McCarthy, Paul Maher and Danny Neville 0-1 each.

Limerick: Josh Ryan; Cormac Woulfe, Colm McSweeney, Fiachra Cotter; Mark McCarthy, Iain Corbett, Tony McCarthy; Darragh O’Hagan, Tommie Childs; Paul Maher, James Naughton, Cillian Fahy; Darragh O Siochru, Emmet Rigter, Killian Ryan.

Subs: Robbie Childs for McCarthy (30), Peter Nash for O’Hagan (43), Danny Neville for O Siochru (53), Andrew Meade for Fahy (60), Diarmuid Buckley for McCarthy (60).