Limerick out of Camogie Championship following Wexford loss

It was senior camogie championship that never really got going and so it came to a stuttering end on Saturday evening as following a 1-13 to 0-11 defeat to Wexford in Bruff.

A 7-point win would have guaranteed Limerick a place in the knock out phase but a one point loss to Offaly in the opener followed by a heavy defeat by Cork in the second round had John Tuohy’s charges behind the eight ball from the early stages.

That heavy Cork defeat was a killer for Limerick and despite finishing level with  Tipperary and Offaly on 3 points each, it was that round two trimming by Cork that cost Limerick dear.

Cork who top the table with a 100\% record of four wins followed by Wexford and the premier county. Adding further to Limerick’s frustration is the fact that Tipperary were the only team that Limerick beat in the group stage and despite this, Limerick’s championship is over.

It was stressed during the week that Limerick needed a good start, needed to lay the early foundations and build on it. That however was not to be as it was the visitors the seized the initiative racking up an unanswered 1-1 with Joanne Dillon chipping in with the game’s only goal and Chloe Foxe adding a point.

Foxe – who was a constant thorn in Limerick’s side – finished the opening period with four points and Úna Leacy had two.  Limerick’s Niamh Mulcahy kept the home side in touch notching six points to make it 1-8 to 0-8 at the change of ends.

Limerick needed to improve their accuracy as they were far less efficient than their opponents. A fact borne out by their first half wides tally of five compared to Wexford’s solitary misfire.

John Tuohy’s side  – who would play into the breeze in the second half – needed a spark to ignite the game and salvage their season. Unlike their first half start, Costelloe opened Limerick’s account early.

Unfortunately they couldn’t build on it as a 25-minute fallow period killed any momentum Limerick tried to establish. Wexford held a six point lead and constantly kept Limerick at arms length.

Limerick launched a late charge but it wasn’t to be as the 5 point defeat meant their season was done and dusted as Limerick failed to make the 1/4 finals.

It was a most disappointing end to a season that promised so much after their first ever Munster final win but never really got to the same heights in the All Ireland Championship.