For what would appear the umpteenth time Limerick surrendered a handsome lead, this time against Wexford in the Allianz National Football League at the Gaelic Grounds, in a competitive fixture.

Diarmuid Carroll in action during the Limerick v Wexford Allianz League match at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Six points to the good entering the final straight Limerick looked set for victory only to be reeled by a visiting team minus the very influential services of Mattie Forde.  Limerick’s cause wasn’t helped by the dismissal of two players, Ian Ryan (straight red) and Stephen Kelly (second-yellow) in the closing-half.  Wexford too had a player sent-off, namely midfielder Eric Bradley, who was actually the first of the trio to be marched.

Up until his departure, Ryan – who had played U21 with the county the previous day – had been brilliant, kicking a magnificent six points.

The home side were deserving of a half-time lead of 1-7 to 0-3 lead and were still the dominant side up until the closing ten minutes.  An Adrian Flynn punched-goal helped the Wexford cause no end and at the death the travelling team salvaged a 1-12 apiece draw when centre-forward Redmond Barry dissected the uprights.  

Fermanagh are unbeaten to date, accounting for Louth (0-11 to 0-10) in their most recent fixture.

On the under-21 front, Limerick put in a mighty performance against Kerry in the opening round of the Munster Championship at Austin Stack Park in Tralee. In front 1-6 to 0-7 at the break (the goal by Jimmy-Barry Murphy), Ollie Coffey’s side were in a strong position for a surprise victory but Tommy Walsh (son of the famous Sean) came to the rescue of Kerry in the final 30 minutes, landing five points from his full-forward berth.

“In Kerry the pressure is huge not just to win first round matches but to win titles,” commented Kerry coach Sean Geaney.

It was a courageous display by Limerick, but still they must stand aside now and watch as Kerry tackle All-Ireland champions Cork in the provincial semi-final at the same venue on Saturday next. The other semi-final involves Waterford and Tipperary, who were 1-9 to 1-7 victors against Clare in Ardfinnan at the weekend.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment