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Allianz Football League Division 4 – Limerick 0-11 Leitrim 0-9

February 3, 2013 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Composed Limerick halt Leitrim’s charge

By John Redington from the Irish Examiner newspaper

Limerick 0-11 Leitrim 0-09

Leitrim’s giant killing start to 2013 came to an abrupt end at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday when they lost their opening Division 4 tie to a Limerick side that outgunned them in midfield and showed enough composure at the back to soak up a late rally. Despite being struck by the late withdrawal of their two main scorers, Ian Ryan and Ger Collins, the hosts always looked the more likely to succeed. Had they pressed home their advantage when they were on top they would have won more comfortably.

Although Emlyn Mulligan gave wind-assisted Leitrim an early lead, Eoghan O’Connor’s free and James O’Meara and O’Connor from play put the hosts in front before two Mulligan frees had the sides level again. After an exchange of frees between O’Connor and Mulligan, Paul Brennan gave the visitors a half-time lead of 0-5 to 0-4. Limerick were back in front within five minutes of the restart through O’Connor’s free, Steven Lavin and O’Connor and, after Adrian Croal replied, were four points to the good. But after O’Connor’s shot screamed off the upright, they allowed Leitrim take the initiative and Gerry Hickey, Mulligan and Brendan Brennan brought the gap back to the minimum before Paul Kinnerk ensured the home victory with a late point.

Scorers for Limerick: E O’Connor 0-7 (5fs), J O’Meara 0-2, S Lavin, P Kinnerk 0-1 each.

Scorers for Leitrim: E Mulligan 0-5 (3fs), P Brennan, A Croal, G Hickey, B Brennan 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: B Scanlon; C Coady, J McCarthy, M O’Riordan; S Lavin, P Browne, P Ranahan; T Lee, B O’Brien; I Corbett, J Riordan, J O’Meara; E O’Connor, S O’Carroll, D O’Connor.

Subs: P Kinnerk for T Lee (61), D Treacy for I Corbett (67).

LEITRIM: C McCrann; D Beck, P Maguire; C Clarke, P Brennan, A Wynne; W McKeon, P McGowan; A Croal, E Mulligan, G Hickey; R Cox, J Glancy, B McDonald.

Subs: B Brennan for P McGowan (42), K Conlon for B McDonald (50), S McWeeney for C Clarke (53), C Beirne for R Cox (54), C Reynolds for J Glancy (66).

Referee: D O’Mahony (Tipperary)

Limerick defeated Leitrim by 0-11 to 0-9 in the Allianz Football League Division 4 Round 1 on Sunday at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

Round-up from the GAA.ie web site

Another game which showcased exactly how tight Division IV will be this season was the meeting of Limerick and Leitrim at the Gaelic Grounds. Limerick prevailed by two points in the end after a very close contest. It was a strong second half performance from Maurice Horan’s side which got them the win. Leitrim led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, but Limerick hit three in a row after the break, from Eoghan O’Connor (2) and Stephen Lavin. They were four up with 15 minutes to go after another O’Connor point, and although Leitrim hit back with scores from Gerry Hickey, Emlyn Mulligan and Kevin Conlon, Limerick held on for the win.

Team News

The Limerick Senior Football team to play Leitrim on Sunday next in the Gaelic Ground at 2.00pm is as follows –

1 Brian Scanlan

2 Cian Coady

3 Johnny McCarthy

4 Mark O’Riordan

5 Stephen Lavin

6 Paudie Browne

7 Pa Ranahan

8 Thomas Lee

9 Bobby O’Brien

10 Seamus O’Carroll