GAA
Limerick are into the Allianz Hurling League semi finals following a straightforward 2-22 to 0-11 victory over Laois in Portlaoise.
John Kiely’s men never looked back after Seamus Flanagan’s fifth minute goal. Conor Boylan also raised green flag for Limerick.
Limerick opened the scoring through a Barry Murphy free, but Lee Cleere soon had Laois level.
David Dempsey put Limerick in front for a second time, before Flanagan finished off a brilliant move for the first goal.
Points from Peter Casey, Declan Hannon and Murphy followed, before Laois scored again – a long range free from their keeper Enda Rowland.
Robbie Hanley got Limerick back on track with a well taken score and then Flanagan put his side eight up with a point of his own.
Limerick wasted several chances in the first half, but Boylan’s low finish after excellent work from Barry Nash and Murphy helped them to a 2-11 to 0-6 lead at the break.
Limerick’s dominance continued in the second half with efforts from Diarmaid Byrnes, Casey and two points in the space of 30 seconds by Murphy.
Boylan, Hegarty and Flanagan also got on the scoresheet as Limerick cruised to a 2-22 to 0-11 victory.
Kiely also had a chance to give game time to the likes of Aaron Costello, David Reidy and Andrew La Touche Cosgrave in the 17-point win.
Scorers: Barry Murphy 0-8 (7f), Seamus Flanagan 1-2, Conor Boylan 1-1, Peter Casey and Gearoid Hegarty 0-3 each, David Dempsey, Declan Hannon, Robbie Hanley, Diarmaid Byrnes (1f) and Darragh O’Donovan (1 s/l) 0-1 each.
Limerick: Barry Hennessey; Tom Condon, Dan Morrissey, William O’Meara; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Barry Nash; Darragh O’Donovan, Robbie Hanley; Gearoid Hegarty, David Dempsey, Conor Boylan; Peter Casey, Seamus Flanagan, Barry Murphy.
Subs: Aaron Costello for Condon (h-t), David Reidy for Casey (46), Shane Dowling for Hegarty (56), Colin Ryan for Hanley (58), Andrew La Touche Cosgrave for Byrnes (63).