Report | Limerick seal promotion with superb win over Fermanagh

Limerick now look forward to a League final meeting with Louth on Saturday.

Limerick will ply their trade in Division 2 of the National Football League next year after they beat Fermanagh in the final round today in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Josh Ryan’s goal was key for Billy Lee’s side as they secured a 1-16 to 0-14 win.

Not only are Limerick promoted but they will contest the League final against Louth next Saturday in Croke Park.

Fermanagh edge the opening stages, leading 0-3 to 0-1 after six minutes with Josh Ryan free the only response from Limerick. 

But five unanswered followed from Lee’s charges as they went 0-6 to 0-3 ahead. 

In that time Ryan, Hugh Bourke and James Naughton found the target.

Fermanagh hit back through Conall Jones but Bourke kicked his third of the afternoon, calling a mark before applying the finish.

That had Limerick 0-7 to 0-5 to the good before Ryan increased the lead out to five, finding the net. 

Cillian Fahy broke through the defence, fed Bourke who in turn squared to Ryan who palmed for the games opening goal. 

Fermanagh response cane from Ciaran Corrigan with his second.

Adrian Enright had the next score but Fermanagh replied with two to leave three in it at the half.

With promotion not out of the realms of possibility for the Ulster side, they hit the ground running to reduce the deficit to one with 42 on the clock.

But Limerick hit back with a pair from Ryan, brilliant efforts off either foot.

Hugh Bourke’s fourth and one from Robbie Bourke who found the target shortly after being introduced, had Limerick 1-14 to 0-12 to the good with fifteen to play.

Ryan then added to his collection of fine scores with one off the right before Tommy Griffin rounded our the scoring for a historic win.