Limerick 0-16
Offaly 1-11

LIMERICK CLAIMED THEIR second Division 4 title in four years with a narrow victory over Offaly this evening in Croke Park.

Maurice Horan’s side secured the spoils after a strong finish to the match with Eoghan O’Connor and Seamus O’Carroll kicking the late points that secured their win.

But their triumph was overshadowed by the sight of talismanic midfielder John Galvin and key attacker Ian Ryan both limping off with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively before the finish.

Limerik had trailed by 1-11 to 0-12 with ten minutes remaining but they reeled off the last four points of the game from Stephen Lavin, substitute Derry O’Connor, attacker Eoghan O’Connor and O’Carroll, who converted a ’45, to grasp the silverware.

The teams had been all square at the interval at 1-5 to 0-8. Limerick had recovered from a six-point deficit midway through the first-half as they hit the last five points of the opening period.

Emmett McDonnell’s Offaly team had been in control helped by Ross Brady pouncing for the only goal of the game in the 12th minute. Brady surged forward from his centre-back role and despite the close attentions of the Limerick rearguard, he unleashed a precise left foot shot to the net.

Some excellent scores by Niall McNamee and Ken Casey helped the Faithful County lead by 1-5 to 0-3 after 22 minutes of play.

But Limerick bounced back, lead by the excellent marksmanship of Ian Ryan, and Lavin stormed forward for a point in the 33rd minute that ensured the teams were tied at the interval, 1-5 to 0-8.

Offaly made the running early in the second-half with McNamee, Casey and Brian Connor all pointing the way up front. However it was Limerick who powered towards the finish line in a strong fashion with their late scoring spree ensuring they triumphed.

Brian Darby of Offaly with Paudie Browne of LImerick
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

Scorers for Limerick: Ian Ryan 0-5 (0-4f), Derry O’Connor, Stephen Lavin 0-2 each, John Riordan, Ian Corbett, Seanie Buckley, Thomas Lee, Stephen Lucey, Eoghan O’Connor, Seamus O’Carroll (0-1 ’45) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Offaly: Niall McNamee, Ken Casey (0-1f) 0-4 each, Ross Brady 1-0, Brian Connor 0-2, Brian Darby 0-1.

LIMERICK: Donal O’Sullivan (Monaleen); Lorcan O’Dwyer (Pallasgreen), Mark O’Riordan (Croom), Paudie Browne (Fr Casey’s); Stephen Lavin (Adare), Stephen Lucey (Croom), Pa Ranahan (Ballysteen); Bobby O’Brien (Bruff), John Galvin (Croom); John Riordan (Fr Casey’s), Thomas Lee (Ballylanders), Seanie Buckley (Dromcollogher-Broadford); Eoghan O’Connor (St Mary’s/Sean Finn’s), Ian Corbett (Newcastlewest), Ian Ryan (St Senan’s).

Subs: Derry O’Connor (Fr Casey’s) for Lee (57), Michael Sheehan (Fr Casey’s) for Lucey (58), Seamus O’Carroll (Parnell’s London) for Galvin (67) (inj), Darragh Treacy (St Kieran’s) for Ryan (68) (inj), James O’Meara (Ballysteen) for Corbett (71).

OFFALY: Alan Mulhall (Walsh Island); Sean Pender (Edenderry), Paul McConway (Tullamore), Brian Darby (Rhode); Eoin Carroll (Cappincur), Ross Brady (Clara), Michael Brazil (Tullamore); Alan McNamee (Rhode), Richie Dalton (Edenderry); Graham Guilfoyle (Clara), Brian Connor (Walsh Island), Niall Darby (Rhode); Anton Sullivan (Rhode), Niall McNamee (Rhode), Ken Casey (St Brigid’s).

Subs: Derek Kelly (Edenderry) for Alan McNamee (55), Willie Mulhall (Walsh Island) for Sullivan (68).

Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down)

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