Limerick power past Carlow to book Tailteann Cup quarter final place with a game to spare

Paul Maher goaled with the opening score of the new half and Limerick didn’t look back, notching the next five points after the green flag.

Limerick sealed their place in the Tailteann Cup quarter finals with a game to spare after recording a comfortable 1-19 to 0-14 win away to Carlow on Saturday afternoon.

Mark Fitzgerald’s side had dominated the first half but conceded five on the bounce to conclude the opening period to find themselves level at the interval.

Paul Maher then goaled with the opening score of the new half and Limerick didn’t look back, notching the next five points following the green flag to take a commanding lead that they would’t relinquish.

The result means Limerick are safely into the Tailteann Cup qualifiers with a game to spare. They conclude the group stage against Wicklow in a fortnight’s time in a neutral venue.

Carlow opened the scoring with back to back points in Netwatch Cullen Park but the next 20 minutes belonged to the visitors with scores from James Naughton (5), Jim Liston, Cillian Fahy and Brian Donovan putting them 0-8 to 0-3 to the good.

But the Carlow reply was impressive with five on the bounce leaving it all posted at 0-8 apiece at the break.

Maher’s intervention after the interval was timely with Naughton, Cathal Downes, Donovan and Peter Nash all kicking scores in the aftermath.

Nash would take his tally to five from play in the second half alone, rounding out the scoring with the Bourke brothers. both making a scoring impact from the bench as Carlow had no reply for the impressive Shannonsiders.

Scorers for Limerick: James Naughton (0-7, 5frees), Peter Nash (0-5), Paul Maher (1-0), Brian Donovan (0-2), Jim Liston, Cillian Fahy, Cathal Downes (m), Hugh Bourke (f), Robbie Bourke (all 0-1).

LIMERICK: Donal O’Sullivan; Brian Fanning, Sean O’Dea, Mike Donovan, Barry Coleman, Jim Liston, Paul Maher; Cillian Fahy, Cathal Downes; Cian Sheehan, Colm McSweeney, Adrian Enright; James Naughton, Brian Donovan, Peter Nash.

Subs Used: Iain Corbett, Hugh Bourke, Robbie Bourke, Tony McCarthy, Cormac Woulfe.

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