2024 Allianz Football League Division 3 – Down 3-16 Limerick 0-9

Down defeated Limerick by 3-16 to 0-9 in Round 2 of the 2024 Allianz Football League Division 3 on Saturday February 3rd at Páirc Esler Newry.

Down blitz Limerick to seal victory

DOWN 3-16 LIMERICK 0-9

Report by John Reddington for the Irish Examiner newspaper

“We aimed to win or two opening games before the first break so we’re very satisifed with the result,” was skipper Pierce Laverty’s reaction after Down’s Division Three victory over Limerick in Newry’s Páirc Esler on Saturday evening.

Although they had to play second fiddle to the visitors in the opening 10 minutes, once the outstanding Odhran Murdock let loose in midfield, two penalties either side of a blistering goal from play had the result done and dusted well before the break.

And the Ulster side were able to turn on the gas whenever their opponents threatened to fight back as they coasted to an emphatic victory.

Limerick started off on fire with Iain Corbett getting them off the mark followed by Peter Nash from a free and from play. They could have been further ahead had Corbett not shot inches wide after rounding two challenges.

But that was as good as it got as Down ignited their midfield and, although Liam Kerr’s goal off Rory Mason’s scything run was pulled for a square ball, it was immediately followed by a penalty which Murdock rifled low into the corner.

Quickfire points from Murdock and Peter Fegan shot them ahead and, despite Nash pulling back a free, Sheelan Johnton’s reply on the quarter mark was followed by Daniel Guinness coming up from deep to slot home off Oisín Savage’s pass for the Mournemen’s second goal.

After Murdock’s point, Limerick’s Colum McSweeney was black-carded for a foul on Savage, Murdock converted his second penalty, Savage and Guinness pointed and Kerr sent over a free which Nash met in injury time to narrow Limerick’s deficit to 3-8 to 0-5.

Although the visitors attacked from the restart, they had only a Nash free to show before Down found their groove again with Pat Havern’s free, Kerr, another Havern free and Johnston before Shane Costello’s reply. Play lost shape as the subs trooped on, a Havern free was met by Nash and, after Nash replied to another Havern, Cillian Fahy’s strike was met by Havern’s free to end the scoring.

Scorers for Down: O Murdock 2-3 (2-0p), P Havern 0-5 (5f), D Guinness 1-1, L Kerr 0-3 (1f), S Johnston 0-2, P Fegan, O Savage 0-1 each

Limerick: P Nash 0-6 (4f), I Corbett, S Costello, C Fahy 0-1 each.

DOWN: J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, J Flynn; P Laverty, D Guinness, C Francis; O Murdock, N McParland; R Mason, L Kerr, S Johnston; C Mooney, P Havern, O Savage
SUBS: S Annett for C Mooney (ht), A Doherty for N McParland (44), A Gilmore for O Savage (44), K Anderson for J O’Hare (56), C Doherty for C Francis (56).

LIMERICK: A O’Sullivan; J Liston, S O’Dea, B O’Sullivan; C McSweeney, B Childs, P Maher; T Childs, T Griffin; I Corbett, C Downes, C Fahy; B Coleman, E Hurley, P Nash
SUBS: J Sweeney for J Liston (51), S Costello for C Downes (51), A Meade for E Hurley (57), S Doherty for B O’Sullivan (59), A Neville for C McSweeney (57).

Referee: J Henry (Mayo).

Team News

Down: J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, F McElroy; P Laverty, D Guinness, C Francis; O Murdock, N McParland; R Mason, L Kerr, S Johnston; G McKibben, P Havern, O Savage

Jimmy Lee and his management has announced his Limerick Senior Football team and match panel for their round 2 Allianz Football League game:
Limerick Senior Football team to face Down this Saturday has just been announced, Limerick face Down in Newry at 6pm this Saturday. pic.twitter.com/YdJGlkmpKt

— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) February 2, 2024