Leitrim defeat leaves Limerick footballers at the bottom of Division Four

Leitrim: 2-18

Limerick: 1-9

The Limerick footballers have fallen to the bottom of Division 4 following a 12 point defeat at the hands of Leitrim at the weekend. It was the third defeat of the league for Billy Lee’s men following losses to Laois and Carlow.

The home side proved much more clinical in their finishing, Keith Beinrne and Ryan O’Rourke firing them into an early lead. Josh Ryan kept Limerick within touching distance but they were punished for missing two goal opportunities when Beirne hit the net for Leitrim after 15 minutes, his runs continually terrorising the Limerick defence.

Limerick enjoyed a good spell of possession early in the second half but were unable to capitalise, scoring only one point in the period from the boot of Jamie Lee. They did manage to claim back a goal through substitute, Robbie Bourke but it only served as a consolation score. Leitrim took advantage of a tiring Limerick as Jack Heslin and Beirne continued to widen the gap. The latter then scored his second to put the final nail in the coffin.

Limerick now face into a crucial game as they welcome Waterford to Newcastlewest next Sunday.

LEITRIM: Diarmuid McKiernan; Donal Wrynn, Michael McWeeney, Liam Ryan; Oisín Madden, Keith Keegan, Shane Quinn; Eoin Ward, James Rooney; Jack Heslin (0-3), Killian McGloin, Brendan Gallagher (0-3); Ryan O’Rourke (0-2), Keith Beirne (2-8, 0-3f, 0-1 45), Darragh Rooney.

SUBS: Dean McGovern (0-2) for Keegan (17), Aidan Flynn for McGloin (51), Niall McGovern for Ward (56), Matthew Murphy for Quinn (63), Nicholas McWeeney for Heslin (63), Alan Armstrong for Ryan (69).

LIMERICK: Donal O’Sullivan; Dave Connolly, Seán O’Dea (0-1), Jim Liston; Colm McSweeney, Cillian Fahy, Brian Fanning; Darragh Treacy, David Ward; Paul White, Danny Neville (0-1), Tony McCarthy; Peter Nash, Josh Ryan (0-3, 1f), Jamie Lee (0-2).

SUBS: Séamus O’Carroll for Fanning (34), Robbie Bourke (1-1) for Ward (HT), Seán McSweeney (0-1, 1f) for McCarthy (HT), Pádraig Scanlon for Nash (54), Tommy Griffin for Lee (63), Pádraig de Brún for Ryan (67).

REFEREE: Séamus Mulhare (Laois).