Limerick 1-19
Kerry 1-15

Damian Stack reports from Fitzgerald Stadium

LIMERICK WERE UNEXPECTEDLY put to the pin of their collar by an impressive Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium in today’s Allianz Division 1B hurling league tie.

The Kingdom, fresh from their victory over Laois in Portlaoise last weekend, were riding the crest of a wave and carried that momentum into the game with them, giving a spirited performance against superior opposition.

That said a upset was never truly on the cards, despite a powerful second half performance by the hosts.

Limerick had dominated the first half with the breeze at their backs, restricting a hardworking Kingdom to sporadic forays into their territory.

To give the Kingdom their dues when they did get into a position to do some damage they did. Micheal O’Leary scored two points for the hosts and when Shane Nolan sent a long free into the danger zone full-forward Mikey Boyle his hurl to it to score a badly needed goal.

Without it Kerry were in trouble as Limerick were able to point seemingly at will at times with David Reidy and Barry Nash especially prominent.

Their first half goal preceded the Kingdom’s by seven minutes. Declan Hannon made absolutely no mistake rifling past Martin Stackpoole with the assist from Gavin O’Mahony on eighteen minutes.

Kerry performed a lot better in the second half, but Limerick’s eleven point half-time lead (1-16 to 1-5) proved a sufficient buffer as Kerry outscored them ten points to three including the first two of the half for Jack Goulding and John Egan.

Kerry finished too with a flourish with a long range point from impressive midfielder Patrick Kelly to round out the day.

Encouraging, then, for the Kingdom, somewhat disappointing from Limerick who would have expected better.

Former Limerick players Ciaran Carey and Mark Foley watched their Kerry side in action today. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Limerick: Declan Hannon 1-4, Barry Nash 0-4, Diarmuid Byrne (0-2f, 0-1 ’65), David Reidy 0-3 each, Paul Browne 0-2, Cian Lynch, Graeme Mulcahy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kerry: Shane Nolan 0-5 (0-4f), John Egan 0-4, Mikey Boyle 1-0, Philip Lucid (0-1f), Michael O’Leary 0-2, Colm Harty, Jack Goulding 0-1 each.

Limerick

1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)

2. Tom Condon (Knockaderry)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
4. Richie English (Doon)

5. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
6. Diarmaid Byrne (Patrickswell)
7. Seamus Hickey (Murroe Boher)

8. Darragh O Donovan (Doon)
9. Paul Browne (Bruff)

10. David Reidy (Dromon Athlacca)
11. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock)
12. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)

13. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
14. Declan Hannon (Adare)
15. Barry Nash (South Liberties)

Subs

John Fitzgibbon (Adare) for O’Donovan (29)
Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock) for Reidy (50)
Seanie Tobin (Murroe-Boher) for Mulcahy (54)
Tom Morrissey (Ahane) for Nash (58)
Pat Ryan (Doon) for Condon (60)

Kerry

1. Martin Stackpoole (Lixnaw)

2. Sean Weir (Crotta O’Neills)
3. Bryan Murphy (Causeway)
4. Keith Carmody (Causeway)

5. Daniel Collins (Kilmoyley)
6. John Griffin (Lixnaw)
7. Tom Murnane (Kilmoyley)

8. Patrick Kelly (Clarecastle – Clare)
9. Tommy Casey (Causeway)

10. Shane Nolan (Crotta O’Neills)
11. Michael O’Leary (Abbeydorney)
12. Colum Harty (Causeway)

13. John Egan (St Brendan’s)
14. Mikey Boyle (Ballyduff)
15. Jack Goulding (Ballyduff)

Subs

Jordan Conway for Nolan (55)
Philip Lucid for Goulding (63)
Jason Diggins for Collins (70)

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)

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