Limerick earn Tailteann Cup win over London

Limerick got their Tailteann Cup campaign off to a winning start after seeing off London on a 0-25 to 1-15 scoreline in Newcastle West.

Jimmy Lee’s men had 10 different scorers in a contest they always looked like winning. They fired over five two pointers in the seven point winning margin.

Limerick fired over six points on the trot between the 21st and 28th minute to take a firm grip on the game. Darragh O’Hagan started off the spree with a superb effort from range that saw them 0-8 to 0-5 clear.

Emmet Rigter followed up with another two point score, this one coming from a free on the right hand touchline.

Iain Corbett, Danny Neville, James Naughton and Rigter then saw Limerick 0-14 to 0-5 in front and it looked at that stage that Limerick were heading for a comfortable outing.

However, London finished the half in fine form by scoring 1-4 without reply to cut Limerick’s gap to just two at the break. Ruairi Rafferty the man to raise the green flag.

Limerick were out of the blocks quicker after the break with substitute Barry Coleman landing a two-pointer of his own from play.

Lee’s charges continued to push hard in the second half through a Peter Nash free, as well as O’Hagan and a stunning two point score from Corbett.

Rory O’Brien chipped in with a point after being introduced and the game was wrapped up when Josh Ryan landed Limerick’s fifth two pointer of the game that sealed a comfortable victory.

Limerick: Josh Ryan (Oola); Jason Hassett (Mungret St Paul’s), Darren O’Doherty (Newcastle West), Colm McSweeney (Geralrd Griffins); Mark McCarthy (Fr Caseys), Iain Corbett (Newcastle West), Tadgh Ó Siochrú (Monaleen); Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels), Darragh O’Hagan (Mungret St Paul’s); Paul Maher (Adare), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), Cillian Fahy (Drom-Broadford); Danny Neville (Askeaton-Ballysteen Desmonds), James Naughton (St Senans), Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry).

Scorers – Limerick: Emmet Rigter (1tpf) and James Naughton 0-4 each, Iain Corbett (1tp), Darragh O’Hagan (1tp) and Peter Nash (1f) 0-3 each, Danny Neville, Josh Ryan (1tp) and Barry Coleman (1tp) 0-2 each, T Childs and Rory O’Brien 0-1 each.

Subs: Barry Coleman (Rathkeale) for McSweeney (h-t), Darragh Murray (Monaleen) for Maher (44 mins), Bob Childs (Galtee Gaels) for Rigter (53 mins), Rory O’Brien (Fr Caseys) for Neville (56 mins), Killian Ryan (Mungret St Paul’s) for Corbett (66 mins).