Limerick defeat Offaly in Tailteann Cup meeting

The Shannonsiders had gone 364 days without a victory of any sort, stopping the rot one day short of the anniversary.

Limerick secured their first win of this year’s Tailteann Cup on Saturday afternoon, as they got the better of visitors Offaly in Mick Neville Park.

Buoyed by an Emmet Rigter brace, Jimmy Lee’s men defeated the Faithful County by eight points to kickstart their 2024 Tailteann campaign.

The Shannonsiders tasted defeat in their opening round clash with Down, who sit top of the Group 4 table with two wins from two. Limerick and London are set to meet in the next round, and are level on two points, the Londoners leading the way on score difference.

Offaly quickly shot into a two point lead in Rathkeale on Saturday afternoon, before a pair of scores from Barry Coleman and Cathal Downes pulled the hosts back level.

The sides traded blows before Downes was once again on hand to tie up the game, as the half-time interval approached.

A score either end saw the pair head in level at the break, five points a piece and plenty to play for in the second half.

With 46 minutes on the clock Coleman knocked over another point for Limerick, this time sending his side into a one-point lead.

Newcastle West man Rigter stepped up with two goals over the course of the second half that effectively sealed the win for the hosts. The result marked the first win of 2024 for Lee’s men, but the Shannonsiders had actually gone 364 days without a victory of any sort, stopping the rot one day short of the anniversary.

Limerick host London in the next round of the Tailteann Cup, the tie scheduled to be played on June 1/2. (TBC)

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