Limerick fall to Offaly in Camogie relegation final

Limerick will ply their trade in the second tier of the league after being related on Saturday.

Defeat was Limerick’s lot on Saturday in the Division One Relegation lay off as their eight year stint in the top tier came to an end.

In Birr, Offaly claimed a 3-10 to 1-13 win to preserve their status and condemn Limerick to the second tier.

With so much on the line, neither team seemed fazed by the occasion as they both hit the net inside a minute.

First, Mairead Teehan hit the net for Offaly before Caoimhe Lyons replied in kind for Limerick.

Caoimhe Costello briefly put Limerick in the lead but Offaly levelled for a second time.

Scores from Aisling Scanlon and Orlaith Kelleher had Limerick two clear but Offaly hit back as Teehan goaled for the second time on the stroke of a quarter of an hour.

Offaly moved 2-4 to 1-3 clear before Sophie O’Callaghan stemmed the tide.

Offaly found three of the next four scores of the half to move 2-7 to 1-5 in front with Rebecca Delee scoring for Limerick. Lyons hit a free to close out the half as Offaly led by four at the interval.

Mairead Ryan brought Limerick within a score but Offaly grabbed a crucial third goal to establish a cushion.

But Limerick had five on the trot through Delee (2), Lyons, Scanlon, Costello to reduce the deficit to 3-7 to 1-12 with ten to play.

But Offaly found the necessary scores to keep Limerick at arms length as they held on for the win.