Allianz Football League Division 3 – Limerick 1-13 Offaly 1-12

Limerick defeated Offaly by 1-13 to 1-12 in round 6 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 on Sunday March 30th at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

Riordan strike sends Offaly packing

Limerick 1-13 Offaly 1-12

Report from the Irish Independent newspaper

OFFALY were sent back to Division 4 football after they were beaten by Limerick in Tullamore. Only a point separated the teams in the end and the game was there for the taking, but this was very much a Division 4-type performance from Offaly who have endured a miserable league campaign, losing all their games to date.

It was a giant step towards safety for a relieved Limerick side who did just enough to win. With the wind on their backs, Limerick did not have everything their own way in the first half. They led by 0-6 to 0-3 before a David Hanlon penalty goal two minutes before the break gave Offaly the lead. A point form Eoin Hanrahan, who had a superb first half, levelled it up at half- time (0-7 to 1-4) and Offaly were in with a good chance.

In the second half, however, Offaly played with the air of a side low on confidence and Limerick always looked like they had enough in the tank. It was a close run thing, though. In a nip and tuck second half, Offaly got back on terms with 12 minutes left and Peter Cunningham edged them in front with a brilliant point.

A goal from substitute John Riordan handed the initiative back to Limerick with six minutes left in the game. Anton Sullivan was outstanding for Offaly in the second half and he kept them snapping on the winners’ heels as they got the gap back to just a point, but it was Limerick who held on to secure the win.

SCORERS –
Limerick: E Hanrahan 0-8 (5fs), J Riordan 1-0, I Ryan 0-2 (1f), I Corbett, G Collins, M Brosnan 0-1 each.
Offaly: A Sullivan 0-4, D Hanlon 1-0 (pen), N McNamee 3fs, J Maher 0-3 (2fs) , P Cunningham 0-2.

LIMERICK – D O’Sullivan (7); C Moran (6), J NcCarthy (7), M O’Riordan (7); M Sheehan (6), P Browne (7), P Ranahan (6); T Lee (8), I Corbett (6); G Hegarty (6), D Neville (6), S Buckley (6); E Hanrahan (9), G Collins (7), I Ryan (8)
Subs: J Galvin (7) for Sheehan (h-t), M Brosnan (6) for Buckley (43), J Mullane (6) for Neville (56), J Riordan (6) for Corbett (57), C Sheehan for Collins (71).

OFFALY – A Mulhall (7); D Hanlon (6), N Darby (6), J O’Connor (6); D Brady (6), J Moloney (6), M Brazil (7); R Allen (6), N Smith (6); P Sullivan (6), A Sullivan (9), J Maher (8); N Geraghty (6), N McNamee (6), P Cunningham (7)
Subs: C Hurley (6) for P Sullivan (49), G Guilfoyle for Geraghty (53).

REF – S Hehir (Galway)

Team News

Limerick Senior Football team v Offaly is Announced. http://t.co/AaMIB0WB6M

— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) March 28, 2014

LIMERICK: Donal O’sullivan; Colm Moran, Johnny Mccarthy, Mark O’Riordan; Mike Sheehan, Paudie Browne, Pa Ranahan; Tom Lee, Iain Corbett; Gearoid Hegarty, Danny Neville, Seanie Buckley; Eoin Hanrahan, Ger Collins, Ian Ryan

OFFALY (SF v Limerick): A Mulhall; D Brady, D Hanlon, J O’Connor; N Darby, J Moloney, M Brazil; R Allen, N Smith; P Sullivan, A Sullivan, E Carroll; C Hurley, N McNamee, P Cunningham