Limerick 0-11 Offaly 0-9

Report by John Gavin

Offaly suffered their third defeat in this year's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship when they were edged out by Limerick in their Group 1 tie at Cappamore last Saturday.

While the Faithful aren't out of contention yet, they currently prop up the table with Down just ahead on one point. They were on course for a first victory when leading by 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time, but inspired by Christine Cleary who hit 0-9, Limerick fought back to take the spoils.

When the sides last met in their National League Division 1 relegation playoff two months ago, Offaly prevailed by three points, so Limerick were looking for revenge. With both teams having lost both of their opening fixtures, this was also an opportunity for one of them to claim a much-needed victory.

The match was a fiercely-fought encounter with little between the teams all through the game that was played with a stiff breeze blowing down the field.  Offaly had that advantage in the first half and started well when Aisling Brennan converted a free in the first minute but Limerick replied quickly with a point by Caoimhe Lyons.  After that Limerick hit three poor wides before Sarah Harding pointed for Offaly but minutes later Caoimhe Costello converted a free to level the scores.  

As the game progressed, it became clear that fine margins would decide the outcome and a clearance by Limerick goalkeeper Claire Keating was blocked down by Offaly and Faye Mulrooney pulled on the breaking ball from a narrow angle, only to see it flash across the goalmouth.  Mairead Teehan did give Offaly the lead with a pointed free but Costello replied by sending over a brace of placed balls for Limerick.  The Faithful girls would have wanted to give themselves a cushion given the wind advantage in the first half and they would have been happy with how they finished the first 30 minutes when they hit three points from play per Sarah Walsh, Sarah Harding and Siobhan Flannery to lead by two at the break.

When play resumed, Limerick were presented with a goal chance but an excellent body save by Eleanor Clendennen denied them. But Limerick came back strongly and a Mairead Ryan point was sandwiched by two frees by Caoimhe Costello.

Throughout the game, the Offaly team and management felt they were not getting the rub of the green from referee Liz Dempsey's decisions and this was not helped when Limerick were awarded a penalty midway through the second half.  Costello, however, failed to take advantage of it when she saw her shot strike the post and visitors could breathe a sigh of relief.

Again, the teams cancelled each other out with Caoimhe Costello and Aisling Brennan traded frees before Costello hit over a fine point close to the sideline and Roisin Egan pointed for Offaly to leave the sides level with just five minutes remaining.

Limerick markswoman Costello then landed two frees with time running out and Offaly's frustration at the referee's decision-making boiled over late in the match when Sarah Harding received her second yellow card.  Try as they might, the 14 players were unable to reel in the Limerick lead and the Shannonsiders were delighted when the final whistle blew and they had their first win of the campaign. 

In contrast, Offaly were bitterly disappointed and now have the daunting trip to Kilkenny in two weeks' time, and manager Susan Earner has a challenging task to lift her side for that match.

Scorers: Limerick:  Caoimhe Costello 0-9 (7 frees, 1 '45), Caoimhe Lyons and Mairead Ryan 0-1 each. Offaly:  Sarah Harding and Aisling Brennan (2 frees) 0-2 each, Mairead Teehan (1 free), Sarah Walsh, Siobhan Flannery, Christine Cleary and Roisin Egan 0-1 each.

Limerick:  Claire Keating, Teresa Dore, Muireann Creamer, Marian Quaid, Mairead Ryan, Sophie O'Callaghan, Stephanie Wolfe, Niamh Ryan, Ailbhe Larkin, Caroline Brennan, Rebecca Delee, Caoimhe Costello, Caoimhe Lyons, Lorraine McCarthy, Sarah O'Brien. Subs:  Ciara Mulqueen, Aoife Coughlan, Aoife Nelligan, Neamh Curtin, Michelle Curtin, Enya Harrington, Aoife Morrissey, Enya Doolan.

Offaly:  Eleanor Clendennen, Sarah Guinan, Aisling Feeney, Orla Gorman, Grace Teehan, Aisling Brennan, Orlagh Phelan, Sarah Walsh, Louise Mannion, Sarah Harding, Mairead Teehan, Christine Cleary, Faye Mulrooney, Siobhan Flannery, Roisin Egan. Subs:  Leah Gallagher, Siobhan Kileen, Jane Lowry, Edwina King, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Caitlyn O'Meara, Catriona Doughan, Cayla Fletcher, Clodagh Leahy, Sharon Shanahan, Amy Byrne.

 

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