On This Day: League quarter-final in 2019, Wexford double in 2014 and U21 victory a decade ago

March 9

On this day two years ago, Limerick overpowered Laois to move into the League semi-finals. In 2014, both senior sides came away with victory in a Gaelic Grounds double header while the U21 Footballers overcame Clare in the Munster quarter-final ten years ago.

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2019

Limerick overcame Laois 2-22 to 0-11 in Portlaoise to book their place in the League semi-final.

Check out the Full-Time highlights from @CLGLaois v @LimerickCLG here on GAANOW!!! pic.twitter.com/LGRepv2PHM

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 9, 2019

Seamus Flanagan’s fifth minute goal was a sign of things to come as Limerick opened up an early lead they never looked like losing.

After ten minutes, the gap was 1-5 to 0-1 as Limerick hummed along nicely.

On the stroke of the half hour, Conor Boylan struck Limerick’s second goal to increase the lead which was 2-11 to 0-6 at the half.

Limerick had two scores within the opening minute of the second half and three in a row from Barry Murphy shortly after had them fifteen points clear.

Laois never dropped the head and had six different scorers on the night.

But the gulf in class was evident as Limerick strolled to a 17-point win and a place in the League semi-finals.

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2014

A stop-start Limerick did enough to come away from the Gaelic Grounds with a 1-14 to 2-8 win over Wexford in the third round of the National League.

Graeme Mulcahy goaled for Limerick after nine minutes and midway through the half Limerick were 1-4 to 0-1 to the good.

But Limerick failed to kick on and were lucky to see Wexford hit ten wides during the contest.

At the half, Limerick were four clear but failing to fire.

And Wexford duly drew level ten minutes into the second half with Paul Morris finding the back of the net.

But this seemed to ignite the Limerick cause as they pulled clear once more as Kevin Downes 67th minute score put six between the sides.

Rory Jacob did hit the net late on for Wexford but Limerick held on for a second consecutive win to stay top of Division 1B.

The footballers came away with a last minute 1-13 to 1-12 win over Wexford in the fourth round of the league prior to the hurling.

Limerick took an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead with Ger Collins and Ian Ryan on target.

But soon they found themselves 1-3 to 0-3 in arrears as the Yellowbellies emphatically replied.

Wexford’s advantage at the break was five as they held a 1-8 to 0-6 lead.

Entering the final quarter, their advantage was still five points as they kept Limerick at bay.

But John Brudair’s men limited the visitors to just one more score as Ian Ryan’s last hour goal was enough to snatch the comeback victory for the hosts.

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2011

Limerick outlasted Clare in the Munster U21 semi-final winning out 2-11 to 0-15 after extra-time in the Gaelic Grounds.

Jack Donovan’s early goal helped Limerick into a 1-2 to 0-3 lead inside the opening fifteen minutes.

But Clare would dominate the remainder of the half and were 0-7 to 1-3 clear at the short whistle.

They continued where they left off and heading into injury time, they looked comfortable at 0-12 to 1-4 as Limerick only tacked on one score in the second period.

Eoghan O’Connor then pointed a pair of frees for the Shannonsiders and the lead was just three when James Kelly struck for goal to level proceedings at 2-6 to 0-12 and send the game to extra-time.

With the aid of a breeze, Clare opened up a one point lead but on the turnaround, O’Connor and Kelly were on hand to kick Limerick to victory and into the Munster semi-final against Kerry.