Dublin prove too good for Limerick despite spirited second half in TUS Gaelic Grounds

Ray Dempsey’s side powered into the contest in the second half but the 2020 All-Ireland champions dominated otherwise.

Dublin had a comfortable victory in the second round of the league today as they beat Limerick 2-17 to 1-11.

Dessie Farrell’s side had much of the work done at the turn of ends as they make it two from two.

Limerick are without a win in the second division but have arguably faced their toughest tests thus far in Dublin and Derry.

It was a dominant first half from the Dubs who had goals from All-Stars Dean Rock and Brian Fenton to lead by 13 points.

The visitors had the first three scores inside four minutes before Cian Sheehan got Limerick off the mark in the eighth.

1-6 on the bounce followed from the Dubs over the next twelve minutes as Farrell’s men took over.

Rock grabbed the first goal from the spot after Con O’Callaghan was fouled when bearing down on goal.

Ross McGarry, O’Callaghan, Rock and Niall Scully also got scores in this timeframe.

Adrian Enright broke the duck for Limerick after 28 minutes as the sides largely went score from score in the remainder of the half.

James Naughton had a double either side of a Rock free while Sheehan rounded off the first half scoring to leave it 0-5 to 2-12.

But Limerick started the second half like a new team and hit the net on 38 minutes, Hugh Bourke cooly slotting home after Gordon Brown’s blocked shot fell in his path.

Naughton, Bourke and Enright followed up with scores and suddenly Limerick were only 1-8 to 2-12 in arrears.

Dean Rock stemmed the tide with a free on 53 minutes, by which time Limerick were down to 14 after Killian Ryan was black carded.

And three more followed until his reintroduction on 55 minutes by which time it was 1-8 to 2-16.

Naughton had two more frees to bring Limerick to 1-10 while Iain Corbett added their last on 70 minutes, arguably the pick of the bunch.

But the afternoon belonged to Dublin as they ended the contest as comfortable 1-11 to 2-17 winners.

LIMERICK: Donal O’Sullivan; David Connolly, Sean O’Dea, Brian Fanning; Mike Donovan, Cillian Fahy, Barry Coleman, Iain Corbett (0-1), Colm McSweeney; Cian Sheehan (0-2), Paul Maher, Gordon Brown; Adrian Enright (0-2), Davy Lyons, James Naughton (0-5, 4f)

Subs used: Hugh Bourke (1-1), Killian Ryan, Tony McCarthy, Peter Nash, Robbie Bourke.