Wexford hold off Limerick in the first round of the National Camogie League

After being level six times in the first half hour, Wexford had the final two scores of the half and didn’t look back from here.

The Limerick Senior Camogie team were beaten by three points away to Wexford in the opening round of the 2023 Very Camogie League on Saturday.

The hosts restricted Limerick to just three second-half points to condemn the Shannonsiders to a first-round defeat in Division 1B.

After taking a two-point lead into the break, Wexford had the first three scores of the second half to put the game past Limerick as they couldn’t get within less than three of their hosts who only scored once in the final twenty minutes of play.

Anais Curran, Aine Lacey and Linda Bolger all found the target within ten minutes of the restart to push the hosts 0-12 to 0-7 in front.

Aine Reynolds and Cliodhna Ryan had scores in reply to make it a three-point game with a quarter of an hour to play. But the teams would only exchange one more score each in the remaining minutes as the Yellowbellies secured the first-round win.

Ailis Neville opened the scoring for Wexford in Chadwicks but was replied to by Caoimhe Lyons which was to become the theme for the first half where the sides were level on six different occasions.

Curran and Orlaith Kelleher traded scores before an Aine Reynolds free gave Limerick their first advantage of the half after ten minutes. Kate Kirwan and Curran responded for Wexford with Reynolds leveling it up at 0-4 apiece.

With her first, Bolger restored Wexford’s lead but Claire Keating, Limerick’s netminder last year hit back with her first free of the afternoon.

Bolger and Curran had Wexford two clear for the first time but scores from Keating and Ryan made it 0-7 all with three minutes of the half to play.

Mag Byrne and Curran had the final scores of the half and Wexford didn’t look back from here.

Up next for Limerick is a clash with Antrim this weekend following the Ulster sides impressive 5-14 to 0-14 win over Down in the opening round.