On This Day: Limerick hurlers succumb to Galway in final round of 2017 league

March 26

On this day four years ago, Limerick fell to a 1-18 to 0-24 defeat at the hands of Galway in the final round of the 2017 National Hurling League Division 1B.

2017

A David Burke inspired Galway were victorious in the Gaelic Grounds in the final round of the 2017 National Hurling League Division 1B.

What was tipped as a potential promotion decider at the outset of the year proved to be a dead rubber after Davy Fitz’ Wexford beat both sides in the opening rounds.

Nonetheless, both sides hit the ground running and traded 29 scores in the opening half.

Six Galway scores in succession midway through the half gave the Tribesmen a four point cushion but that was quickly wiped out as Cian Lynch goaled and Kyle Hayes levelled.

A couple of Shane Dowling frees gave Limerick a 1-13 to 0-15 lead with Galway’s Joe Canning contributing 0-9 in the first period.

On the resumption, David Burke took control of proceedings and hit four scores on the trot to move Galway clear of their hosts. He finished the day with 0-6 from play.

Dowling replied with a couple more and with 20 minutes to play the sides were level, 1-16 to 0-19.

But Limerick were only to score twice more as three scores from the Galway bench proved crucial in the narrow victory.

The sides would meet again in the league semi-final later that spring.