Limerick record superb league win over Kilkenny and take huge step towards knockout stages

John Tuohy’s Limerick Camogie side took a huge step towards the knockout stages of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League with a fantastic 1-14 to 1-9 win over Kilkenny in their Division 1, Group 2 game on Sunday afternoon in Piltown.

It was a first league defeat for Kilkenny and for Limerick, it ensures that their passage to the latter stages is now very much in their own hands going into the final round of games.

Limerick now lie in second place, level on points with Waterford and Clare. The banner play Dublin next Saturday ensuring that Limerick will know exactly what they need to do at home to Waterford next Sunday.

Kilkenny look certain to take top spot with their remaining game against a Meath side that has yet to register a point in the competition.

The visitors were on top for most of the game thanks in part to the sharp shooting of Niamh Mulcahy who  finished with a  personal tally of nine points, seven of which were from placed ball while Sarah Carey worked tirelessly both with and without the ball.

Leading by 0-9 to 0-7 at the break, John Tuohy would have expected a Kilkenny onslaught in the second period. Limerick were however undeterred by the challenge and having swapped early second half points, then went on to strike four fine points in succession to open up a deserved six-point lead.

Ann Downey’s side then responded with a quick fire point and a goal in the 29th minute from Anne Dalton cut the deficit to just two points. The Cats’ resurgence was not to be as a Caoimhe Lyons’ goal sealed the victory for the Shannonsiders.

Limerick refused to be denied on this occasion however, and the Munster champions removed all doubt thanks to Caoimhe Lyons’ goal.

Coming into the game, John Tuohy indicated that Kilkenny were going to pose a huge challenge but that it was a challenge that both him and his side were very much looking forward to.

As far as laying solid foundations for the 2018 championship, Limerick have done some really good work over the league campaign while spreading valuable game time across the panel. It should hold them in good stead over the Summer and a win over Waterford next weekend, will most likely see them throughout to the latter stages of the league and provide further opportunities to try new things while also remaining in the hunt for silverware.