Keating shoots Limerick to Division 1B safety in Very Camogie League

Limerick 2-14
Offaly 1-14

By Tom Clancy in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale


Limerick secured their Division 1B status in the Very Camogie League, thanks to a last-gasp victory over Offaly. The result, a first win of 2023 for the Treaty side, sends Offaly down to Division 2A for 2023.

Declan Nash took charge of the side for the afternoon, with John and Niamh Lillis unavailable following a family bereavement. There is no doubt that this youthful Limerick side did them proud.

The match winner was Cappamore’s Claire Keating, the free-taker turned in a fine display of free-taking, but she also scored a crucial second half goal. She was aided in attack by Caoimhe Lyons and Sophie O’Callaghan, the former netting the first goal, the latter assisting both.

These sides were level at half-time; 1-8 apiece. A third-minute goal from Siobhan Flannery was cancelled out by Caoimhe Lyons’ green flag on 21 minutes. There was little to separate these sides throughout a contest spoiled by the whistle, with free-taking dominating the narrative.

The sides were deadlocked late on, but Limerick were able to hit each of the last five scores. They pulled three clear but had a late save from Laura O’Neill to deny Offaly a match levelling goal – a draw would have been enough for the Faithful to stay in Division 1B.

Limerick now turn their focus on the Munster Championship and All-Ireland series, which starts in May.

Scorers for Limerick:  Claire Keating 1-9 (0-9 frees); Caoimhe Lyons 1-2; Caoimhe Costello, Sophie O’Callaghan, Orlaith Kelleher 0-1 each;

Scorers for Offaly: Mairead Teehan 0-12 (0-10 frees, 0-2 ‘45’); Siobhan Flannery 1-0; Sarah Harding, Rachel Brennan 0-1 each.

Limerick: Laura O’Neill (Na Piarsaigh); Teresa Dore (Charleville), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Marian Quaid (C) (Bruff); Aine O’Tiarnaigh (Na Piarsaigh), Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret St. Paul’s), Mairead Ryan (Bruff); Éle Madigan (Ahane), Orlaith Kelleher (Croagh/Kilfinny); Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen), Sophie O’Callaghan (Adare), Aine Reynolds (Ahane); Caoimhe Costello (Adare), Mary O’Callaghan (Bruff), Claire Keating (Cappamore).

Subs: Lizzie Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Reynolds (38); Sarah O’Brien (Templeglantine) for O’Callaghan (54), Stephanie Woulfe for O’Tiarnaigh (59).

Offaly: Leah Gallagher (Tullamore); Sinws Moore (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Alana Roddy (Birr) Aisling Feeney (Tullamore); Sarah Walsh (Tullamore), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Bríd), Orla Gorman (Tullamore); Grainne Dolan (C) (St. Rynaghs), Lousie Mannion (St. Rynaghs); Lisa Gorman (Tullamore); Rachel Brennan (St. Cillian’s), Caoimhe Darcy (Drumcullen); Mairead Teehan (Moneygall), Sarah Harding (Birr), Siobhan Flannery (St. Rynaghs).

Subs: Amy Byrne (Lusmagh) for Darcy (half-time), Becky Bryant (Tullamore) for Gorman (56), Rachel O’Brien (Tullamore) for Fannery (59).

Referee: Barry Nea (Westmeath)