ESB Munster Minor Hurling Championship – Limerick 2-13 Kerry 1-13

Limerick defeated Kerry by 2-13 to 1-13 in the ESB Munster Minor Hurling Championship on Wednesday at Kilmallock.

Ryan stars as Limerick get Kerry scare

Limerick 2-13 Kerry 1-13

By Diarmuid O’Flynn for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Thursday, April 29, 2010

A CLOSE call for Limerick in Kilmallock yesterday evening in this Munster MHC quarter-final, a very close call, because two late reaction rocket-shots from Kerry corner-forward Shane Dunne went just a couple of inches wide. As it was, with Murroe-Boher’s outstanding Michael Ryan in lethal form in the left corner of attack, Limerick just about survived to qualify for a semi-final meeting against Cork, while Kerry go on to meet Clare in a backdoor qualifier. Limerick began strongly and led 1-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes, their goal a peach, taken on the run by Ryan after his marker, Bryan Murphy had slipped. Even at this stage, however, it was obvious that Limerick were going to have their hands full with a talented Kerry side, backboned by the Causeway Comprehensive side that has done so well in recent years.

The visitors were facing into a strong breeze in that opening half but gradually worked their way into the game, and with points from Shane Dunne, Chris McCarthy and the hard-working Padraig Boyle, allied to centre-back Brendan Brosnan’s long-range free-taking, they trailed by just six points at the break, 1-8 to 0-5. However it was five minutes into the second half before the game really took off. Limerick began the excitement, a goal in 30 seconds from wing-forward Dan Morrissey, pouncing on the break after Shane Dowling’s goal-bound shot had been body-blocked by Dougie Fitzell, giving them what looked like a commanding eight-point lead.

Then it was Kerry’s turn. Three superbly struck frees from Shane Dunne, around a coolly taken goal by Paudie Boyle (now operating at full-forward), and it was very much game on, just a goal between them (2-8 to 1-8), plenty time remaining. But Limerick responded well. Two points, one each from wing-forward Jake Mulcahy and the outstanding Michael Ryan (he finished with 1-5 from play), had them back to five points in front, but again Kerry came, and another two Dunne frees brought the deficit back to a goal. Thus it would be at the finish, and how Kerry could have done with either of two Shane Dunne rockets hitting the target! The first was in the 50th minute, leaving a vapour trail as it screamed across the goal and just outside the post, the second was in the 60th minute, another close-range first-time effort, but was deflected out for a 65, converted for a point by Brendan Brosnan.

Scorers for Limerick: M. Ryan 1-5; J. Fitzgibbon 0-4 (all frees); D. Morrissey 1-0; S. Dowling 0-2; J. Aherne, J. Mulcahy, 0-1 each.

Kerry: S. Dunne 0-6 (0-5 frees); P. Boyle 1-1; B. Brosnan 0-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 65); C. McCarthy, S. Weir, 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: E. Webb; A. Dempsey, M. O’Loughlin, B. Hannigan; T. Ryan, D. Hannon, K. O’Donnell (c); C. O’Riordan, M. O’Connell; D. Morrissey, W. Hickey, J. Mulcahy; S. Dowling, J. Fitzgibbon, M. Ryan.

Subs: M. Fitzgibbon (Hickey 25); Mark Ryan (Mulcahy 37); J. Aherne (Morrissey 45); D. Murphy (O’Connell 52).

KERRY: N. Leen; B. Murphy, S. Dowling, D. Fitzell; T. Maunsell, B. Brosnan, T. Barrett; S. Weir, J. Bowler; P. Boyle, T. Doyle, M. Delaney; C. McCarthy, A. Fealey, S. Dunne.

Subs: D. Collins (Maunsell 43); D. Casey (Fealey 47); T. Moore (Bowler 54).

Referee: D. Fox (Clare)

Team News

Limerick Minor Hurling Team named to play Kerry

Ger Hegarty and his selectors have named their starting 15 to play Kerry tomorrow night Wednesday 28 April @ 6.30pm in Kilmallock in the ESB Munster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter-Final.

1 Eoin Webb Kilmallock Eoin Webb O Ruairc

2 Alan Dempsey Na Piarsaigh Alain O Diomasaigh

3 Mark O’ Loughlin Kilmallock Marc O Lochlainn

4 Brian Hannigan Feenagh/Kilmeedy Brian O hAnnagin

5 Thomas Ryan South Liberties Tomas O Riain

6 Declan Hannon Adare Deaglan O Hannain

7 Kevin O Donnell Kilmallock (CAPTAIN) Caomhain O Domhnall

8 Chris ORiordan Dromin/Athlacca Criostóir O Riordáin

9 Mark O Connell Glenroe Marc O Conaill

10 Dan Morrissey Ahane Donal O Muirgheasa

11 William Hickey South Liberties Liam O hIci

12 Jake Mulcahy Kilmallock Jake O Maolcathaigh

13 Shane Dowling Na Piarsaigh Sean O Dullaing

14 John Fitzgibbon Adare Sean Mac Giobuin

15 Michael Ryan Murroe/Boher Michéal O Riain

16 Barry Neville Ahane Barra O Niadh

17 Mike Fitzgibbon Feohanagh/Castlemahon Micheal Mac Giobuin

18 Mark Carmody Patrickswell Marc O Cearmaide

19 David Murphy Kilteely/Dromkeen Daithi O Murchu

20 Stephen Foley Croagh/Kilfinny Stiofan O Foghlu

21 Jack Aherne Kileedy Sean O Eachtighearna

22 Brian Murphy Fedamore Brian O Murchu

23 Patrick Carroll South Liberties Padraig Cearbhuill

24 Mark Ryan Na Piarsaigh Marc O Riain

Manager: Ger Hegarty

Selectors: Brian Begley, Paul Finn, George Lee

Liaison Officer: Tony Roche

First Aid: John Daly

Limerick extended panel:Brendan OConnor (Croagh/Kilfinny)

David Reidy (Dromin/Athlacca)

Ciaran Keogh (NaPiarsaigh)

Conor Sheehan (Cappamore)

Liam Ryan (Doon)

Richard Ryan (Ahane)