Offaly Outclass Limerick

Offaly 1-14

Limerick 0-07

On a day with mixed up weather Limerick travelled to Birr to take on Offaly. The All-Ireland champions were after coming from a disappointing loss to Antrim last week and needed to beat Limerick to stay in contention and boost their moral. Limerick had the better start of the two teams, and after 15 mins led by 4 points to 3. Then the home crowd got behind their team and Offaly moved up a gear. They scored 1-04 in the last 15 mins of the first half without any reply from Limerick. This left them up 1-07 to Limericks 0-04 points going in at the break.

At half time Jack Foley was brought on for Brian Tobin.After the break Offaly continued to dominate. The scored another 3 points before Limerick replied with a point from Shane O'Neil. Limerick had gone 35 mins without scoring a single point.This is ridiculous and totally unacceptable for a senior Hurling Team. In this period of time they hit numerous wides, all of which were from scorable positions. They hit the upright twice, once from an Ollie Moran sideline and the other from a Mike Galligan free from the 21 yard line. With 10 mins to go T.J. Ryan was then substituted for Michael O'Brien from Glenroe.After that Joe Quaid made an excellent reflex save from 10 yards. In the last 5 mins Limerick put over 2 points scored by Ollie Moran and Shane O'Neil.

This was one of the worst displays of hurling I've ever seen by a Limerick team. The constantly gave away stupid frees, and the forwards shooting was something to be desired. Offaly really showed why they are All-Ireland champions today. They were a lot quicker to the ball, and they were picking up all the breaks. Their forwards took all their chances and the backs were outstanding.

TEAMS:

1)J.Quaid, 2)S.McDonagh, 3)B.Begly, 4)B.Geary, 5)D.Clarke, 6)C.Carey, 7)M.Foley, 8)O.Moran(Capt), 9)B.Tobin, 10)T.J.Ryan, 11)S.O'Neil, 12)M.Galligan, 13)J.Moran, 14)M.Houlihan, 15)B.Foley SUBS:J.Foley for B.Tobin, G.Kirby for M.Galligan, M.O'Brien for T.J.Ryan

Offaly:

1)S.Byrne, 2)S.Whelahan, 3)J.Errity, 4)M.Hanamy, 5)B.Whelahan, 6)H.Rigney, 7)K.Martin, 8)P.Mulhare, 9)J.Pilkington, 10)J.Dooley, 11)J.Ryan, 12)C.Cassidy, 13)B.Dooley, 14)J.Troy, 15)M.Duignan