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Dublin's Johnny McCaffrey and James Ryan of Limerick. INPHO/Donall Farmer
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Dublin v Limerick, Allianz Division 1B HL final

Would it be Anthony Daly or John Allen who was celebrating this evening? Here’s how it unfolded.

The Division 1B hurling title was up for grabs in Thurles this evening.

We followed it all the way.

Send us your thoughts and comments on all the action.

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RESULT: Dublin 1-16 Limerick 1-15

Welcome along to to Semple Stadium for this evening’s match. It’s a beautiful evening for hurling at the Thurles venue.

Here’s the Dublin team for tonight’s match.

DUBLIN: Alan Nolan (St Brigid’s); Peter Kelly (Lucan Sarsfields), Paul Schutte (Cuala), Ruairi Trainor (St Vincent’s); Michael Carton (O’Toole’s), Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Shane Durkin (Ballyboden St Enda’s); Joey Boland (Na Fianna), Liam Rushe (St Pat’s); Simon Lambert (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Johnny McCaffrey (Lucan Sarsfields), Danny Sutcliffe (St Judes); David O’Callaghan (St Mark’s), Conor McCormack (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Paul Ryan (Ballyboden St Enda’s).

And here’s the Limerick team for the clash.

LIMERICK: Nicky Quaid (Effin); Stephen Walsh (Glenroe), Richie McCarthy (Blackrock), Tom Condon (Knockaderry); Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock), Wayne McNamara (Adare), Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock); Paul Browne (Bruff), James Ryan (Garryspillane); Conor Allis (Croom), Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher), David Breen (Na Piarsaigh); Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Declan Hannon (Adare), Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh).

Both teams currently out on the pitch warming up as they bid to claim the Division 1B title. Aside from securing silverware, they will be hoping to secure a place in Division 1A next year and a league semi-final meeting with Tipperary on April 21st.

The two sides faced off at this venue in the All-Ireland quarter-final two years ago on a day when Dublin triumphed. Hat-trick hero from that day, Ryan O’Dwyer, is on the bench this evening.

Not the biggest crowd in Semple Stadium but it’s a fine, sunny evening as the players take their positions and we’re about to get underway.

Limerick 0-2 Dublin 0-0: 2 mins – Limerick waste little time getting off the mark. It’s a fine score from Kevin Downes to start them off as he continues his recent great form. Then Graeme Mulcahy careers through and smashes a close-range shot that produces a fantastic save from Alan Nolan as he diverts the shot over the bar.

Some interesting duels this evening see Peter Kelly in the Dublin defence marking Downes while Paul Schutte will be asked to keep tabs on Declan Hannon. At the other end it is Stephen Walsh marking Dublin danger man Paul Ryan at present.

Limerick 0-3 Dublin 0-0: 7 mins – Limerick are cutting loose in the early stages and Dublin need net minder Nolan to be alert once more as he blocks a goal bound effort from Conor Allis. Declan Hannon converts a free shortly after to stretch their lead.

Limerick 0-3 Dublin 0-1: 9 mins – Dublin get off the mark when Paul Ryan lofts over a free from a difficult position out on the left-hand touchline.

The game has gone a bit flat in the last few moments. A Limerick attack breaks down when Conor Allis arrows in a long ball that evades his colleagues and the ball rolls harmlessly wide.

Limerick 0-3 Dublin 0-2: 14 mins – Captain Johnny McCaffrey, deployed in attack this year for Dublin, lands a point to cut the gap to the minimum.

Limerick 0-3 Dublin 0-3: 18 mins – Now we’re level after Dublin’s Conor McCormack fires over a point after good work by David O’Callaghan.

Dublin 0-4 Limerick 0-3: 21 mins – Dublin edge in front with midfielder Simon Lambert finding the range from distance after good work by Liam Rushe to create the opening. Dublin have come to terms with Limerick and John Allen’s side had sparkled in the early stages.

Dublin 1-4 Limerick 0-4: 24 mins – Paul Ryan fires a free to the net for Dublin with Paudie O’Brien replying with a point for Limerick.

A big boost for Dublin there. Ryan took the free from 25 yards out and caught the Limerick defence unawares. The Shannonsiders rearguard protested that the ball had entered the goal via the side-netting. But replays showed it was a legitimate goal.

Another couple of goals chances for Limerick. Kevin Downes shot is deflected out for a ’65 by goalkeeper Alan Nolan and then Declan Hannon’s effort is diverted away by Paul Schutte.

Dublin 1-5 Limerick 0-5: 30 mins – Hannon subsequently converted that ’65 but there was some disputing as to whether the ball had gone between the posts. Danny Sutcliffe claimed a point for Dublin in response to restore their three-point lead.

Dublin 1-5 Limerick 1-5: 32 mins – Now the sides are tied again as Limerick raise a green flag. The score arrives from Declan Hannon as he blasts home a 20-yard free. Dublin weren’t too happy about the awarding of that placed ball after referee Alan Kelly judged defender Shane Durkin to have over-carried.

Limerick 1-6 Dublin 1-5: 33 mins – Hannon strikes over a free to send Limerick back into the lead.

Limerick 1-7 Dublin 1-5: 35 mins – Limerick’s shooting has been suspect in this opening period but they’ve just registered a wonderful score from Conor Allis after a delightful pass by Declan Hannon played the Croom man into space.

HALF-TIME: Limerick 1-7 Dublin 1-6: The opening period concludes with a Paul Ryan free for Dublin as Limerick retire with a narrow advantage at the interval.

It’s delicately poised at the interval in Thurles. The floodlights have come on as the temperature starts to drop after a game where Limerick flew out of the traps, Dublin responded with a Paul Ryan goal and Limerick finish strongly with a Declan Hannon goal.

3,121 has been confirmed as the attendance for this game.

The teams are back out for the second-half here in Thurles. Ryan O’Dwyer on for Dublin instead of Johnny McCaffrey.

Dublin 1-8 Limerick 1-7: 37 mins – The Dubs tie the match with David O’Callaghan latching onto a loose ball and snapping over a point. Soon after Paul Ryan sends them into a lead when he converts a free.

Dublin 1-9 Limerick 1-7: 40 mins – Ryan again on the mark as he converts a free to send them two points ahead. Limerick’s Paudie O’Brien was shown a yellow card for a foul on David O’Callaghan that lead to that free being awarded.

Dublin 1-10 Limerick 1-8: 42 mins – Ryan again on target with another free for Dublin after a sublime point by Seamus Hickey moments previously. Wayne McNamara the latest player to be booked for Limerick.

Dublin 1-10 Limerick 1-9: 44 mins – Hannon strikes over a free to reduce the deficit that Limerick face.

Dublin 1-10 Limerick 1-10: 46 mins – And we’re level again with Hannon the man who converts a free for Limerick. Niall McMorrow comes into the Dublin team for Conal Keaney.

Limerick 1-11 Dublin 1-10: 48 mins – Hannon has helped his side gain a foothold in this game as he smacks over another free for Limerick to edge them ahead. It’s been scrappy stuff so far in the second-half though.

Limerick 1-12 Dublin 1-10: 50 mins – Conor Allis sweeps over a lovely point for Limerick to send them two clear. They’re starting to get on top as Dublin bring on David Treacy for Michael Carton.

Limerick 1-13 Dublin 1-11: 52 mins – Graeme Mulcahy (Limerick) and Niall McMorrow (Dublin) trade points.

Declan Hannon fires home a first-half goal.
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

Limerick 1-13 Dublin 1-12: 55 mins – This one looks like it’s going to go all the way down to the wire. Paul Ryan fires over a free for Dublin after Conor McCormack was fouled. Just the minimum between them.

Limerick 1-14 Dublin 1-13: 58 mins – The second-half has largely been a battle between Declan Hannon and Paul Ryan. They’ve just traded points for their respective teams.

Limerick have drafted Shane Dowling into their attack as David Breen is the player to make way.

Limerick 1-14 Dublin 1-14: 60 mins – Draw game courtesy of a great point by Cuala club man David Treacy for Dublin. Could extra-time be on the cards?

Dublin 1-15 Limerick 1-14: 64 mins – Now Treacy wins a free that is converted by Ryan to send Dublin into the lead. Dublin bring on Eamonn Dillon for Conor McCormack.

Limerick 1-15 Dublin 1-15: 66 mins – Seamus Hickey ties the teams with a point for Limerick after good work by Graeme Mulcahy. Niall Moran has replaced Kevin Downes in the Limerick attack.

Dublin 1-16 Limerick 1-15: 68 mins – Dublin go straight downfield and regain the lead courtesy of a brilliant point by Joey Boland.

Niall Corcoran comes into the Dublin defence for Paul Schutte. Cracking finish here with Dublin still just ahead.

All over and Dublin triumph!

FT: Dublin 1-16 Limerick 1-15: Dublin hold on for a battling victory by a point. A significant win for them as they now will ply their trade in Division 1A next year and will face Tipperary in this year’s Division 1 league semi-final on April 21st. Big setback for the Limerick hurlers.

That’s it from Semple Stadium on a night when Dublin claimed a significant win. Thanks for joining us.

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