Limerick 2-15
Offaly 2-15
THE LIMERICK HURLERS promotion hopes suffered a huge setback this afternoon as Offaly struck 1-1 in injury-time to force a draw in their clash in Tullamore.
The result means Limerick are now a point behind Cork heading into the last round of games and have lost the initiative in Division 1B ahead of the final round of games next Sunday.
Limerick will rue this result with Offaly staging a comeback thanks to a late goal from Peter Geraghty and a point by Joe Bergin ensuring the home side grabbed a share of the spoils.
Limerick made the early running to lead by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break with Kevin Downes, Paul Browne and Paudie O’Brien all showing up well for them. Joe Bergin kept Offaly in touch but they were rocked by a Graeme Mulcahy goal just after half-time.
Dan Currams found the net to push Offaly ahead by 1-14 to 1-13 but it was a brief advantage as Mulcahy bagged his second goal of the game soon after.
Limerick looked on course for victory only for Offaly to peg them back at the death.
LIMERICK: A Murphy; S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; P O’Brien (0-1), W McNamara, G O’Mahony; D O’Grady, P Browne (0-2); W Hickey, C Allis (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65), D Reidy (0-2); G Mulcahy (2-1), K Downes (0-3), T O’Brien.
Subs: J Ryan for Hickey (47), C King for O’Mahony (49), S Tobin for T O’Brien (51), A Dempsey for Allis (61).
OFFALY: J Dempsey; N Wynne, R Hanniffy, J Rigney; C Parlon, G Healion, M Egan; T Geraghty, P Geraghty (1-0); J Bergin (0-12, 0-10f, 0-1 ’65), C Mahon, S Dooley (0-2); B Carroll, D Currams (1-0), K Connolly.
Subs: S Cleary (0-1) for P Geraghty (21 – temp), Cleary for Connolly (51), S Quirke for Carroll (57), D Morkan for Hanniffy (57).
Referee: David Hughes (Carlow)
