Limerick 1-24
Westmeath 0-18
SHANE DOWLING HIT 14 points as Limerick made it back to back Round 1 qualifier victories over Westmeath at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar.
TJ Ryan’s men were victorious on a 4-15 to 1-12 scoreline at this stage last year, and they enter Round 2 of the qualifiers thanks to a nine-point win here.
The Na Piarsaigh marksman scored 1-3 on that occasion, and he was top-scorer once again as he got the better of Niall O’Brien, who had a personal tally of 11 points.
Seanie O’Brien got a straight red card in the first half for Limerick, but Graeme Mulcahy scored a goal. And Brendan Murtagh’s missed penalty was a big blow to Westmeath.
Westmeath held a 0-13 to 1-9 half-time lead although they trailed 0-6 to 0-1 after ten minutes.
O’Brien got Westmeath’s effort, but Shane Dowling scored three points, with Kevin Downes and Declan Hannon also on target.
But Westmeath were resilient and hit six in a row to take the lead for the first time in the 22nd minute.
O’Brien brought his tally to five before Limerick scored 1-2. Mulcahy’s goal came in the 26th minute.
However Westmeath scored five in a row, and O’Brien was sent-off with five minutes remaining in the half, for an off the ball incident.
Dowling got Limerick back on track but Aonghus Clarke gave Westmeath the half-time lead.
Limerick got two points at the start of the second half, and when Murtagh missed the 49th minute penalty, Westmeath lost heart.
Limerick capitalised and hit three in a row. Although Niall O’Brien continued to add to his tally Limerick were too good.
Limerick scorers: S Dowling 0-14 (0-10f, 0-2 ’65), D Hannon 0-3, G Mulcahy 1-0, K Downes 0-3, J Ryan 0-1, D O’Donovan 0-1, P Browne 0-1, D Reidy 0-1.
Westmeath scorers: N O’Brien 0-11 (0-8f, 0-1 sl), A Clarke 0-2, B Murtagh 0-2 (0-1f), A Craig 0-1, A Devine 0-1, C Boyle 0-1.
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
18. Seanie O’Brien (Patrickswell)
3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
4. Richie English (Doon)
5. Diarmuid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock)
21. Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock)
8. James Ryan (Garryspillane)
24. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
12. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
14. Declan Hannon (Adare)
9. Paul Browne (Bruff)
15. Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
13. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
Substitutes:
10. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick’s) for Nash (50)
17. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock) for D Morrissey (59)
25. David Reidy (Dromcollogher/Broadford) for Hannon (59)
22. Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh) for Ryan (63)
2. Tom Condon (Knockaderry) for English (66)
Westmeath
1. Paddy Maloney (Castletown Geoghegan)
2. Conor Shaw (Brownstown)
3. Tommy Doyle (Lough Lene Gaels)
4. Tommy Gallagher (Castlepollard)
5. Aaron Craig (St Oliver Plunkett’s)
6. Aonghus Clarke (Castletown Geoghegan)
7. Alan McGrath (Clonkill)
8. Cormac Boyle (Raharney)
9. Eoin Price (Clonkill)
12. Niall O’Brien (Castletown Geoghegan)
11. Brendan Murtagh (Clonkill)
10. Allan Devine (Castlepollard)
15. Darragh Egerton (Clonkill)
14. Derek McNicholas (Lough Lene Gaels)
13. Niall Mitchell (Clonkill)
Substitutes:
24. Robbie Greville (Raharney) for McNicholas (47)
23. Liam Varley (Castletown Geoghegan) for McGrath (49)
26. Kieran Doyle (Raharney) for Mitchell (55)
25. Gary Greville (Raharney) for Shaw (69)
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway).
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To think that she took up rugby 7 years ago and is now one of the most capable wingers in her sport. Incredibly talent. Good woman Ali
It’s catch and run. Not that difficult as she was already a top athlete
Catch and run? If that was the case, we would all be playing in the world cup.
It’s a lot more than catch and run, if you knew anything about rugby, you’d know that. Scarlett for ya buddy!
Ailbhe, don’t rise to the pathetic efforts of wind up merchants/trolls. People like him that don’t play or have never played rugby have no idea the level of skill and intelligence involved to be a top level player.
Ah Gary, I was just going to challenge him to a game. See if he can handle being dump tackled by a girl ;)
I repeat. Catch and run
Ok John, come to our training tonight. I’ll throw you the ball. You just simply catch and run….see how you fair. Up for the challenge? Or another keyboard warrior?
The best of luck to the Irish Ladies Rugby Team in their semi final against England. They have given a great lift to everyone with their achievements.
Stop running them down, they’re all lovely girls and they all have lovely bottoms.
Yours etc,
Niamh Horan
Played against her yrs back she tore us apart brilliant player, I’ve everything crossed for tomorrow I’m hoping for a Ireland/Canada final
I played against her too. When I tried to tackle her, I subluxed my shoulder. Out for nore than a month. I didn’t slow her down and I doubt I even altered her course. Ouch
Fantastic player Ali Miller is, best of luck tomorrow girls
She’s the type of athlete that can turn her hand to any type of sport.. Well done miller!!!
Ballet????
You are a muppet
Best of luck Ali