On This Day: League double for Limerick in 2017 & Footballers fall to Clare in 12′

March 4

On this day four years ago, there was a league double for the hurlers and footballers but the footballers did lose out to Clare five years previously.

2017

14-man Limerick dug deep to overcome Offaly 1-25 to 3-15 in the third round of the 2017 National Hurling League.

John Fitzgibbon was sent off for the hosts approaching half-time as Offaly took a 1-13 to 0-14 lead into the dressing rooms.

Limerick had the first six scores of the contest but Shane Dooley’ 27th minute would give Offaly their first lead of the day.

Andrew La Touche Cosgrave hit the back of the net for Limerick to restart the game but they found themselves behind in the 50th minute as Offaly hit a quickfire double of goals.

But John Kiely’s side hit seven of the final nine scores of the day to seal a deserved win.

Elsewhere, Billy Lee got his first victory as Limerick manager as the footballers defeated London 1-13 to 0-12 in UL in the fourth round of the League.

After three successive defeats to start the campaign, Lee’s men hit the ground running on the 4G pitch, opening up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead inside the opening half hour.

But three scores on the bounce by Mark Gottsche, Rory Mason and Luke Gavaghan left the bare minimum between the sides at the break. 

Sean O’Dea and James Naughton helped Limerick reestablish their healthy lead before Cian Sheehan’s goal put daylight between the sides.

The Exiles rallied and had the deficit back to two but a brace from Ger Collins’ sealed the win for Lee and co.

2012

Limerick were edged out 0-10 to 0-9 by neigbours Clare in the 3rd Round of the 2012 National Football League in Ennis.

Despite finishing the contest with 15 wides, a very wasteful Clare held a slender 0-5 to 0-3 lead at the break with Ger Quinlan and Michael O’Shea scores separating the sides.

Scores from David Tubridy and Shane McGrath had Clare five points clear inside the first 11 minutes of the half but they failed to kick on.

Instead Limerick rallied and led by Ian Ryan, they had the margin back to just two points approaching additional time.

Barry Fitzpatrick was sent off but it didn’t perturb Limerick as Stephen Kelly kicked them to within one of their hosts.

However, they couldn’t find the equalizer as Clare held on.