Dublin 1-17
Limerick 1-16
Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium, Thurles
DUBLIN CLAIMED A dramatic win over Limerick to book an All-Ireland quarter-final place tonight in Thurles as they recovered from a dreadful start to the game in this Round 2 qualifier clash.
A virtuoso display by Paul Ryan inspired Dublin as he struck 0-12 while substitute David O’Callaghan grabbed a critical 62nd minute goal.
Centre-back Liam Rushe gave a towering defensive display and the success was a huge boost for manager Ger Cunningham after the rocky period they endured after their heavy Leinster loss to Galway.
Limerick exited the championship after a game which they had been in control of when they moved 1-8 to 0-3 ahead by the 26th minute.
Their season started positively with a success over Clare but it has quickly unravelled with a trouncing in Munster by Tipperary before they were pipped tonight.
In a poor opening to the game, Limerick settled better but they struck 11 wides in the first-half and those misses will haunt them. After leading 0-5 to 0-2 by the 18th minute, Limerick accelerated clear with David Breen scything through for a clinical finish to the net in the 26th minute.
But Dublin recovered to only trail 1-8 to 0-7 at the interval with Ryan providing evidence of the scoring threat he possessed. Midfielder Daire Plunkett made a notable impact as the game wore on while Rushe became a dominant performer in the match.
Dublin’s scoring spree continued after the interval with Ryan’s point-taking helping them go 0-12 to 1-8 clear in the 42nd minute. After shipping nine points in a row, Limerick steadied and pushed ahead again.
Substitute Seanie Tobin’s freetaking was a key facet for TJ Ryan’s side as they went ahead 1-12 to 0-12 at the midway mark of the second-half.
Dublin rallied once more as the action ebbed and flowed. The vital score arrived with eight minutes left when a mix up in the Limerick rearguard saw the ball evade Seamus Hickey and Richie McCarthy to allow O’Callaghan the opportunity to shoot past Nicky Quaid.
Limerick levelled at 1-14 apiece when Tobin nailed a free before Dublin tacked on two quick points courtesy of Cian Boland and Ryan.
Tobin struck another pair of dead balls before the game ended but they sandwiched Ryan’s 12th point of the night. Despite Chris Crummey being sent-off after receiving a second yellow card, Dublin’s brave defending prevented Limerick from notching an equaliser.
Scorers for Dublin: Paul Ryan 0-12 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), David O’Callaghan 1-0, Daire Plunkett 0-2, Ryan O’Dwyer, Cian Boland, Mark Schutte 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Seanie Tobin 0-6 (0-5f), Shane Dowling 0-4 (0-2 ’65, 0-2f), David Breen 1-0, Declan Hannon, Graeme Mulcahy 0-2 each, Paudie O’Brien, Kevin Downes 0-1 each.
Dublin
1. Gary Maguire (Ballyboden SE)
4. Paul Schutte (Cuala)
5. Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields)
7. Shane Barrett (Na Fianna)
18. Shane Durkin (Ballyboden St. Enda’s)
6. Liam Rushe (St Patrick’s)
2. Niall Corcoran (Kilmacud Crokes)
22. Daire Plunkett (St Brigid’s)
8. Johnny McCaffrey (Lucan Sarsfields)
11. Eamon Dillon (Na Fionnbarra)
9. Ryan O’Dwyer (Kilmacud Crokes)
12. Danny Sutcliffe (St Judes)
14. Conal Keaney (Ballyboden SE)
15. Mark Schutte (Cuala)
13. Paul Ryan (Ballyboden SE)
Subs
25. David O’Callaghan (Ballyboden SE) for Dillon (29)
20. Joey Boland (Na Fianna) for Corcoran (49)
10. Cian Boland (St Oliver Plunkett’s ER) for Keaney (57)
24. David Treacy (Cuala) for Mark Schutte (65)
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
4. Sean O’Brien (Patrickswell)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
2. Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher)
5. Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock)
6. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock)
7. Wayne McNamara (Adare)
8. James Ryan (Garryspillane)
9. Paul Browne (Bruff)
13. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
10. David Breen (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
12. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Declan Hannon (Adare)
Subs
21. Sean Tobin (Murroe-Boher) for Dowling (43)
19. Dan Morrissey (Ahane) for McNamara (43)
22. Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry) for Breen (55)
25. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca) for Hannon (65)
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
