Limerick make light work of Westmeath in National League finale

Limerick concluded their 2021 National League campaign with a comprehensive 3-26 to 0-18 win over Westmeath in Cusack Park in Mullingar.

The win leaves Limerick in fourth in Division 1A with Westmeath resigned to the relegation final with Laois.

The hosts battled valiantly to their credit against the reigning All-Ireland champions trailing by just 0-14 to 0-10 at the half.

In the end, a blitz of three goals in the final ten minutes proved decisive for John Kiely’s men.

Limerick lead 0-9 to 0-4 at the first half waterbreak with six different scores for the Shannonsiders.

Graeme Mulcahy got his first score of the year on the half hour mark as Seamus Flanagan impressed with 0-4 from play in the first half.

Westmeath will have been pleased with the low margin at the half and maintained that throughout the third quarter with the game poised at 0-18 to 0-14 at the final waterbreak.

It wasn’t until the final quarter that Limerick began to flex their muscle outscoring the hosts 3-8 to 0-4 down the stretch.

Kyle Hayes had the games first goal after 60 minutes as he started and finished a flowing Limerick move to the net.

Pat Ryan was denied by a brilliant Noel Conaty five minutes later but Darren O’Connell was on hand for his first Limerick goal.

Ryan wasn’t to be denied a second time and finished for Limerick’s third goal on 70 minutes.

In the end, the margin was 17 as Limerick turn attention to Cork on July 3 in the Munster championship semi-final.