Limerick 1-19
Antrim 0-19
Limerick staged a second-half comeback to triumph in their opening league encounter this afternoon against Antrim in the Gaelic Grounds.
John Allen’s charges, who are one of the favorites to challenge for promotion, had to recover from a 0-13 to 0-8 deficit in the first-half.
Neal McManus, who hit 0-11 overall, inspired Antrim to that interval lead as the Saffron charged in front after the teams had been tied at 0-3 apiece after 10 minutes.
And when McManus pointed a free shortly after half-time, Antrim were six points clear and in control.
But Limerick chipped away at the deficit inspired by the scoring contributions of Declan Hannon, Seamus Hickey – who was notably stationed at centre-forward – and Paul Browne.
Hickey’s 52nd minute point tied the teams at 0-15 apiece and while Paddy Doherty regained the lead for Antrim shortly after, the crucial score arrived in the 55th minute when substitute David Breen’s hard work was rewarded when he struck the only goal of the game.
From there Limerick held on to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Scorers for Limerick: Declan Hannon 0-9 (0-5f, 0-1 sideline), Seamus Hickey 0-4, David Breen 1-0, Shane Dowling (0-1f), Paul Browne 0-2 each, James Ryan, Graeme Mulcahy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Antrim: Neal McManus 0-11 (0-8f), Stephen Beattie 0-2, Shane McNaughton, Karl Stewart, PJ O’Connell, Matthew Donnelly, Paddy Doherty, KB McShane 0-1 each.
LIMERICK: Aaron Murphy (Hospital-Herbertstown); Stephen Walsh (Glenroe), Richie McCarthy (Blackrock), Tom Condon (Knockaderry); Wayne McNamara (Adare), Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry), Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock); James Ryan (Garryspillane), Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock); Declan Hannon (Adare), Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher), Paul Browne (Bruff), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh).
Subs: David Breen (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Brien, Sean Tobin (Murroe-Boher) for Downes, Adrian Breen (Na Piarsaigh) for Mulcahy, Niall Moran (Ahane) for Dowling.
ANTRIM: Ryan McGarry; Aaron Graffin, Conor Carson, Barry McFall; Simon McCrory, Neal McAuley, Conor McKinley; Matthew Donnelly, Conor Laverty; Stephen Beattie, Karl Stewart, Eddie McCloskey; Neil McManus, K B Mc Shane, Shane Mc Naughton.
Subs: Michael Gettens for McFall, Colm McFall for Beattie, Dessie McClean for McCloskey, PJ O’Connell for Laverty, Paddy Doherty for McShane.
Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)
Wexford’s Rory Jacob raised a green flag today. Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
Wexford 2-15
Carlow 0-16
Second-half goals by Paul Morris and Rory Jacob helped Wexford overturn Carlow in their Division 1B clash this afternoon.
Liam Dunne’s side travelled to Dr Cullen Park and were forced to stage a comeback to secure victory after trailing at stages during the first-half. In a feisty encounter three players were sent-off with Marty Kavanagh and Eoin Nolan sent to the line for Carlow while Tomas Waters was dismissed for Wexford.
Carlow made the early running with Marty Kavanagh and John Michael Nolan amongst their point-scorers. When Jack Kavanagh raised a white flag, they were 0-7 to 0-3 ahead after the first quarter.
However Wexford responded to take the lead by 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval after Gary Moore (4), Andrew Kenny and captain Garrett Sinnott all notched points.
Both sides started the second-half with 14 men after the dismissals of Kavanagh and Waters but Wexford got an early boost when Paul Morris got in for the first goal of the game.
However Carlow fought back from the concession of that score with Shane Kavanagh impressing in the scoring stakes and after leading briefly, they were still well in the hunt for honours when the teams were tied at 1-12 to 0-15 with ten minutes left.
But Wexford finished strongly with Moore and Harry Kehoe firing over points before Jacob fired home the goal that sealed their success.
WEXFORD: Niall Breen (Tara Rocks); Bobby Kenny (Buffers Alley), Tomas Waters (St Martin’s), Eoin Moore (Oulart-The-Ballagh); Richie Kehoe (Faythe Harriers), Andrew Shore (Parnell’s, Dublin), Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers); David Redmond (Oulart-The-Ballagh), Andrew Kenny (Buffers Alley); Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn), Stephen Murphy (St Martin’s), Garrett Sinnott (Oulart-The-Ballagh); Paul Morris (Ferns St Aidan’s), Michéal O’Regan (Glynn-Barntown), Gary Moore (Glynn-Barntown).
Subs: Rory Jacob (Oulart-The-Ballagh) for O’Regan, Paudge Doran (Oylegate) for Murphy, James Tonks (Ferns St Aidan’s) for Chin, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy (Shelmaliers) for Kenny.
CARLOW: Nicky Roberts (Naomh Eoin); Hugh Paddy O’Byrne (Mount Leinster Rangers), Eoin Nolan (Naomh Eoin), Des Shaw (Naomh Bríd); James O’Hara (Naomh Eoin), Richard Coady (Mount Leinster Rangers), John Corcoran (Erins Own); David English (Ballinkillen), Edward Coady (Mount Leinster Rangers); Sean Murphy (Ballinkillen), Shane Kavanagh (Naomh Eoin), Marty Kavanagh (St Mullins); Jack Kavanagh (St Mullins), John Michael Nolan (Naomh Eoin), Padraig Nolan (Naomh Eoin).
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)
