Allianz Hurling League Division 1B – Limerick 2-20 Wexford 0-18

Moran and Breen call tune for slick moving Treaty

Wexford 0-18 Limerick 2-20

By Brendan Furlong for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Limerick’s campaign is back on track following this impressive eight point victory over Wexford in their Division 1B clash at Wexford Park yesterday. Having lost their opening game to Clare, Limerick bounced back against Laois, and with this follow-up victory over a disappointing Wexford, they are now back in with a real chance of securing a place in the divisional final. It was nip and tuck for the opening 20 minutes but once David Breen netted his side’s opening goal in the 21st minute, they assumed control.

Limerick varied their game well, moving the ball diagonally and at pace when required, while also utilising the high ball down the centre where David Breen and Niall Moran won the aerial battle hands down, finishing with 2-7 of their side’s tally between them. Wexford’s attack never functioned as a unit and the Model men now find themselves in a relegation battle with Laois to preserve their status. When Wexford moved two clear inside the opening 10 minutes, it looked as though they were going to build on their dramatic late victory over Offaly seven days earlier.

David Breen and Harry Kehoe opened the scoring, before a fine Breen effort had the Shannonsiders back in front. Wexford reeled off three points to lead 0-4 to 0-2 just 10 minutes in and the sides continued to trade points for 0-6 each when Limerick struck for the game’s opening goal. Niall Moran gathered a high James Ryan delivery close to goal, picked out the in-rushing David Breen and the Na Piarsaigh clubman fired home a splendid goal. That goal, allied to scores from Conor Allis, Graeme Mulcahy and Moran gave the Shannonsiders a 1-10 to 0-9 at the break.

The game deteriorated on the resumption, with Limerick taking control, their half-back trio of Wayne McNamara, Donal O’Grady and Gavin O’Mahoney, particularly impressive. When Rory Jacob pointed within 30 seconds of the restart, it lifted the large home following, but once Limerick responded with their second goal inside a further 30 seconds, the result was a foregone conclusion. Once again, Moran availed of a high ball close to goal, rounded Keith Rossiter, before going on to easily beat Niall Breen from close range, giving his side a six point cushion, 2-10 to 0-10.

Wexford hit back with a Harry Kehoe free, but once Graeme Mulcahy fired over two excellent points, the visitors’ dominance increased. The home side added points through Harry Kehoe and Guiney but then Conor Allis fired over two successive points for Limerick and while Rory Jacob and Paul Browne exchanged scores, a Wexford recovery never looked like materialising. Though they were reduced to 14-men following the sending-off of David Breen for a second yellow, Limerick finished strongly with Allis, Mulcahy and Moran all on target.

WEXFORD: N Breen; J Tonks, K Rossiter, B Kehoe; D Stamp, M O’Hanlon, C Kenny; H Kehoe (0-7, 5f, 1, 65), D Redmond (0-2); J Berry, E Quigley, P J Nolan (0-1); R Jacob (0-1), S Banville (0-2), D O’Keeffe (0-2).

Subs: J Guiney (0-3, 2f, 1, 65) for Berry (23); E Moore for Quigley (48); T O’Leary for Nolan (48); J Leacy for Kehoe (64); P Morris for Banville (64).

LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; W McNamara, D O’Grady, G O’Mahoney (0-1f); P Browne (0-1), J Ryan; T O’Brien, D Breen (1-2), C Allis (0-6, 5f); G Mulcahy (0-3), N Moran (1-5), M Ryan (0-1).

Subs: S Tobin for M Ryan (ht); N Maher (0-1) for O’Brien (56); T Ryan for Ryan (61).

Referee: C Lyons (Cork)

Limerick 2-20 Wexford 0-18

Report from the GAA.ie web site

Limerick’s recovery from their opening day defeat to Clare gathered further pace with a second successive win in Division IA, accounting easily for Wexford with eight points to spare at Wexford Park.

Wexford had made the better start, but a goal by David Breen helped John Allen’s side to a 1-10 to 0-9 interval lead. Breen’s goal came on 21 minutes and gave his side the lead for the first time, an advantage they would increase thanks to two more points from their captain before the short whistle.

Niall Moran hit Limerick’s second goal shortly after the restart, while Gavin O’Mahony and Graham Mulcahy added points that helped the Treaty men into an eight-point lead by the 57th minute, which they maintained to the end. After contributing handsomely in the scoring stakes, Breen’s day ended on a low note when he was sent off for a second yellow card offence just before full-time.