Footballers one win away from Division 2 after Aughrim victory

Billy Lee’s Limerick footballers qualified for the semi-finals of Division 3 of the National League after beating Wicklow 2-19 to 1-12 in Aughrim on Saturday.

Two goals in the space of a three minutes in the final quarter proved crucial for the Shannonsiders in joining Offaly in the knockout stages.

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Limerick face Derry in the semi-finals while table toppers Offaly meet Fermanagh with both semi-finals to be played on the weekend of June 12/13.

In Aughrim, Limerick hit the ground running and were 0-8 to 0-5 to the good after a half an hour. Eoin Darcy replied with a goal for the hosts to level proceedings but a strong finish to the half gave Limerick a two-point 0-11 to 1-6 advantage at the interval.

Wicklow grabbed the first score of the second half to pull within one but Lee’s side never panicked and got the goal they deserved after 58 minutes as Danny Neville danced past a couple on the endline before coolly slotting to the net.

Three minutes later, Neville was instrumental in setting up Hugh Bourke for Limerick’s second as he breeezed down the endline before handpassing across the goal for a simple finish for the Adare man to give the Treaty side a 2-16 to 1-11 lead.

From here, Billy Lee’s men cruised to a ten-point victory which could have been much more if they had been more clinical down the home stretch.

Limerick have a week off now before the Derry clash with the Ulster side winning all their games so far this year.

If Limerick win then they will ensure a second consecutive promotion but there will be no League final if Limerick or Offaly do advance to that stage.