Conor Allis puts Limerick in right direction

Limerick 3-26
Antrim 0-12


Limerick scored an amazing 3-15 when playing against the wind on their way to trouncing Antrim at the Gaelic Grounds.

Matters looked ominous for the home side when they managed to lead by only five points, 0-11 to 0-6, at half-time and whatever was said during the break had the desirable affect on a Conor Allis inspired Limerick.

With Shane Dowling rested Allis took over the free-taking duties and put over a total of 11 points, six from frees.

Limerick made the perfect start with four unanswered points with two from Allis from play and others by Donal O’Grady and Seanie Tobin before Paul Shiels and Neil McManus pointed for the visitors.

Allis and Shiels exchanged pointed frees and Wayne McNamara burst through for a spectacular point to make it double scores.

A great point by Paudie O’Brien and another by McNamara helped Limerick to their half-time lead with Shiels getting three of the Antrim points.

It was 0-18 to 0-8 after 50 minutes and then substitute David Reidy burst through for a Limerick goal and another by William Hickey five minutes from the end left Antrim reeling.

LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Walsh, T Condon, M Carmody; P O'Brien (0-1), W McNamara (0-2), G O'Mahoney ; D O'Grady (0-1), P Browne; T Ryan (0-4), J Ryan (0-1), C Allis (0-11, 0-6 frees); T O'Brien (0-2), T Quaid (0-1), S Tobin (1-3). Subs: D Reidy (1-0) for O'Grady (20 mins), D Morrissey for O'Mahoney (61 mins), P O'Loughlin for Walsh (61 mins), M Ryan for Browne (65 mins), W Hickey (1-0) for T Quaid (65 mins).
ANTRIM: C O'Connell; C Johnson, C McKinley, M Bradley; C McGuinness, N McAuley (0-1), O McFadden; N McManus (0-1), C Johnson; P Shields (0-7, 0-4 frees), C Carson, N McKenna (0-1); D McKernan, D Hamill (0-1), C Clarke (0-1). Subs: N Elliott for Clarke (h-t), E Campbell for O McFadden (h-t), B McFall for C McGuinness (42 mins), J McCreevey for M McFadden (49 mins), C Jackson for N McKenna (55 mins).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).