Limerick defeated by Wexford in NFL

Limerick missed the opportunity to secure the Allianz Division Four League title as the fell to a 1-13 to 1-10 defeat to Wexford at Mick Neville Park.

Results on Saturday afternoon meant that Limerick knew a win would secure the league title but they were slow to settle and trailed by 1-8 to 0-3 at half time.

Wexford had Ben Brosnan to the fore, and his four first half frees were added to by a fortunate Daithi Waters goal.

Limerick had efforts from Adrian Enright and a brace of Padraig Scanlan accounted for Limericks scores in the first half, as Limerick kicked five wides.

A triple substitution at half time gave Limerick some momentum and two combined for a 38th minute goal. Tommy Griffin flicking a Sean McSweeney shot to the net to bring Limerick into the game.

It was a two point game on 50 minutes with Iain Corbett, Darragh Tracey and Hugh Bourke (free) raising white flags.

In response, Brosnan (free) and Kevin O’Grady pushed Wexford four clear again. Despite dominating the second half, Limerick were unable to get close to levelling the game, until the final action

Hugh Bourke lofted a pass accross the square and Adrian Enright saw his fisted effort hit the post and trickle wide – and meant an agonising defeat for Billy Lee’s side.

They have another opportunity to secure promotion, as they travel to Sligo next Saturday in round seven of the national football league.

Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan; Sean O’Dea, Brian Fanning, Paul Maher; Tony McCarthy (0-1), Iain Corbett (0-2), Gordon Brown; Darragh Treacy (0-1); Tommie Childs, Padraig De Bruin, Cillan Fahy (0-1), Adrian Enright (0-1), Hugh Bourke (0-2, two frees), Seamus O’Carroll, Padraig Scanlon (0-2)
Subs: Sean McSweeney for Seamus O’Carroll (h/t), Tommy Griffin (1-0) for Tommie Childs (h/t), Killian Ryan for Padraig De Bruin (h/t), Cian Sheehan for Padraig Scanlon (48 mins), Colm McSweeney for Gordon Brown (61 mins).

Wexford: Pa Doyle; Martin O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Eoin Porter; Glen Malone (0-1), Brian Malone, Sean Ryan (0-1); Niall Hughes, Daithi Waters (1-0); Alan Tobin, Donal Shanley (0-1), Eoghan Nolan; Kevin O’Grady (0-1), John Tubritt (0-2), Ben Brosnan (0-7, five frees) (capt.)
Subs: Nick Doyle for Daithi Waters (46 mins), James Stafford for Sean Ryan (48 mins), Tom Byrne for Eoghan Nolan (61 mins), Mark Rossiter for John Tubritt (65 mins), Sean Nolan for Donal Shanley (67 mins).
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)