Seven points in arrears at one stage, Limerick looked to be on their way out of the Hurling Championship. However the final score from Tullamore was to read the Shannonsiders 2-29 Offaly 2-19. It can be annoying following the fortunes of these Limerick hurlers, full of promise, the subsequent non-delivery but drama by the bucket load. With their new management aboard, Limerick trailed by 1-9 to 0-5 on the 25-minute mark. Joe Bergin had given the home side the perfect start with a fourth minute goal. A series of quick points followed and after ten minutes hurling the Faithful were 1-4 to 0-1 clear and looking likely winners. Slowly the Shannonsiders worked their way back into the game as a number of shrewd switches and replacements worked to perfection. On the stroke of half time giant full forward Brian Begley set Donie Ryan up for their sides first goal and suddenly it was 1-12 apiece. Limerick were now in full flow and pressurised the Faithful right from the restart. The likes of the outstanding Mark Foley, Begley, Andrew O' Shaughnessy and Niall Moran were awesome as the points rained in. A late second goal from Bergin was only a consolation for John McIntyre's men as they now have to beat table toppers Clare to keep their Championship hopes alive. Offaly: B Mullins; B Teehan, P Cleary (0-1, (1 f)), B O'Meara; K Brady (0-1 (1 65)), R Hanniffy, G Oakley; D Hoctor (0-3), D Tanner (0-1); D Hayden, G Hanniffy (0-2), B Whelahan (0-1); B Carroll (0-7, (6f)), J Bergin (2-1, (1-0 f)), B Murphy (0-2). Subs: N Claffey for Teehan, D Murray for Tanner, M Cordial for Cleary, J Brady for Hayden. Limerick: B Murray; D Reale, TJ Ryan, S Hickey; W Walshe, B Geary, M Foley (0-3, (3f)); B Foley (1-7, (3f, 1 65)), S Lucey; N Moran (0-4), D O'Grady, C Fitzgerald (0-1); D Ryan (1-0), B Begley (0-5), A O'Shaughnessy(0-7, (3f)). Subs: P O'Dwyer for Geary, M O'Brien (0-2) for Lucey, P Tobin for Fitzgerald, E Foley for Walshe. Tweet

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