Limerick edge Wexford by 3 points in tough 1A Battle

A lat flurry of points form Murphy, Hegarty and O’Donovan plus the intervention of the post and a fine Nickie save saw Limerick make a wining return to 1A hurling following a superb 1-17 to 2-11 win over Wexford on Sunday afternoon.

It was a fairy hectic opening as Wexford looked to play the short game into a strong breeze. Cian Lynch took an early yellow card for a clumsy challenge as both teams tried to assert themselves physically.

A Jack O’Connor free was cancelled out quickly by Tom Morrissey by the game truly came to life when Cathal Dunbar found a gap in the Limerick defence to fire a low shot past Nickie Quaid.

Minutes later Cian Lynch chased down a seemingly lost cause only find Aaron Gillane with a hand pass. The Patrickswell man fired a goal to the top corner for an incredible finish to level proceedings at 1-1 apiece.

Limerick settled a bit better over the next five minutes as a Gillane free and a superb Peter Casey points meant John Kiely’s side held a 1-3 to 1-1 lead after 15 minutes, Limerick should have got their second goal on the 18th minute after a searing run through the Wexford defence but a superb Mark Fanning save denied the Na Piarsaigh man.

Cathal McDonald levelled for Wexford before Seamus Flanagan and Peter Casey responded for Limerick meaning all the full forward line had now registered scores. Wexford then forged another gap in the Limerick full back line and following a scuffed shot from Cathal McDonald found its way to Jack O’Connor who fired home for Wexford’s second goal making it 2-3 to 1-5.

The big talking point of the half came in the 28th minute as Seamus Flanagan and Liam Ryan were in a footrace for possession. The ball crossed the line and Ryan followed through on the Feohanagh sending him crashing into the hoarding. A melee ensued and referee Feral Horgan issued red card to the pair.

The extra space in the full forward line seemed to benefit Limerick the better as Casey, Gillane (2) and a Colin Ryan sideline cut extended Limerick’s lead to 3 points. Jack O’Connor and Gillane swapped frees as the half drew to a close making it Wexford 2-4 Limerick 1-10 heading in to the dressing room.

Limerick opened the second half well with an excellent Diarmaid Byrnes free from half way before a long range free from Wexford’s Paudie Foley cancelled it out. Gillane fired another close range free to edge Limerick back into a 4 point lead.

Byrnes landed another long range free to make it 1-13 to 2-5 in favour of Limerick as the second half failed to live up to the pace and frantic nature of the first. Defensively John Kiely’s side looked reasonably comfortable but were finding attacking chances hard to come by.

Wexford responded with points from Jack O’Connor and Liam Og McGovern reducing the gap to just a goal. Diarmaid Byrnes free (Limerick) and Harry Keogh (Wexford) exchanged scores as Limerick clung on to their three point lead.

Wides from Tom Morrissey and Diarmaid Byrnes were punished when Wexford found a crucial bit of form, fired over points from Paul Morris and Conor McDonald to make it a one point game.

Darragh O’Donovan fired over sideline cut before Gearoid Hegarty pounced on a mistake to make a three point lead before Conor McDonald hit the post with a bullet of a shot. Quaid saved the rebound out for a 65 which Jack O’Connor converted.

A fine score for Barry Murphy made it Limerick 1-17 Wexford 2-11 in what was an absorbing encounter.