Limerick U20 book O’Connor Cup final place with win over Offaly

Shane Kelly’s side picked up their second win of the Spring to set up a rematch with Clare in this weekend’s final.

The Limerick U20 footballers sealed their place in the Leo O’Connor Cup final with a 0-7 to 0-6 win over Offaly in Mick Neville Park on Saturday afternoon.

It was a winner takes all affair with both previously beating Tipperary and losing to the Banner, who Limerick will now face in this weekend’s final.

Clare were comfortable 2-14 to 0-5 winners when the sides met a fortnight ago and were also victorious when the teams played in the Munster semi-final at minor level three years ago.

In Rathkeale, it was the visitors that dominated the opening exchanges, kicking the first three scores to lead 0-3 to 0-0 after a quarter of an hour.

Limerick had leveled up by the 25th minute but Offaly once more took the lead. Shane Kelly’s side had the final score of the half to leave it posied at 0-4 apiece at the interval.

The Shannonsiders had their first lead seven minutes after the restart but two on the trot followed by Offaly to push them 0-6 to 0-5 ahead with twenty to play.

But they wouldn’t score again with Limerick finding the equaliser just prior to injury time before firing over the winner in the additional minutes.

Meanwhile, Clare completed a perfect group stage with a 1-10 to 1-5 win over Tipperary. The fixture details for the final is yet to be confirmed but it is provisionally fixed for Saturday, March 11.