Limerick lose to Offaly in opening round of Camogie Championship.

John Tuohy’s Limerick side suffered a one point defeat in their opening round of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship.

The faithful county got the better of Limerick on a 2-18 to 3-14 scoreline in what was a top quality exhibition of hurling with some superb scores from both sides.

A Derbhla Egan goal inside the first minute got Limerick off to the best possible start but the Munster Champions then fell off the pace as Offaly assisted by a significant breeze added 8 unanswered points.

Ahane’s Niamh Mulcahy dragged Limerick back into contention with three points in succession. Before Aisling Scanlon registered Limerick’s second goal. Mulcahy added another point before the break as Limerick went into he break trailing by just one point.

Offaly came out after the break with a renewed purpose while Limerick were slow to get the pitch off the game. The beaten Leinster finalists scored 1-3 without reply to re-establish their lead.

Second half goals from Aisling Scanlon and Mairead Fitzgerald kept Limerick in the hunt for a win but it wasn’t going to be enough as their efforts fell just short.

Up next for Limerick is a re-run of their Munster final with Cork in two weeks time. Shorn of 9 players for this game due to exams, injuries and other circumstances, John Kiely should have most of the absentees back for their next outing.

You can see full highlights of today’s game on the link below. Video courtesy of the Camogie Association.

LIMERICK: Laura O’Neill, Lorraine Mc Carthy, Muireann Creamer, Sinead Mc Namara, Niamh Ryan, Sarah Carey, Judith Mulcahy, Karen O’Leary, Caoimhe Costelloe,Deborah Murphy, Cliona Lane, Niamh Mulcahy (Captain) Dearbhla Egan, Rebecca Delee, Aisling Scanlon. Subs Used: Orla Curtin, Sarah Collins, Mairead Fitzgerald.

OFFALY: Mairead Jennings, Lorraine Keena, Jean Brady (captain), Fiona Stephens, Aisling Brennan, Michaela Morkan, Linda Sullivan, Orlaigh Kirwan, Roisin Egan, Mairead Daly, Triona Mc Donald, Tina Hannon, Debbie Flynn, Siobhan Flannery, Arlene Watkins. Subs: