IT WAS going to take an act of nature like a cloud of volcanic ash to make Limerick’s troubles disappear in Parnell Park yesterday. Facing a Dublin side who desperately needed the points and to prove they can look after teams that they are supposed to beat, avoiding a humiliation was probably top of the visitors’ agenda.
As it transpired, the game was over in the first half with Dublin rattling over 20 points to enjoy a 12-point lead. Sufficient unto the day?
Nope, things were about to get worse. James O’Brien was dismissed in the 43rd minute for a little shemozzling with his old teammate Maurice O’Brien. Not long after, Paudie McNamara mishit a 21-yard free and saw it land in the Dublin net.
Bad move. Dublin woke up again.
Having scored three goals in their six league games before yesterday, they suddenly cut loose and scored six in nine minutes. David O’Callaghan (two), John Kelly, Shane Ryan, Paul Ryan and Liam Rushe each had the pleasure before matters settled down again.
In the end, 31 points separated the sides, 6-30 to 2-11.
The affect it will have on internal politics in Limerick has yet to be seen. Manager Justin McCarthy left without saying a word. Dublin manager Anthony Daly pointed out that there would have to be a Limerick solution to a Limerick problem. The clock keeps ticking. Championship draws nearer. Limerick look lost.
Elsewhere in Division One, Pearse Stadium in Salthill played host to a shadow-boxing competition between Galway and Cork, the finalists who will meet in earnest in two weeks in Semple Stadium.
Niall Healy, one of the few marquee names on view in two experimental line-ups, had 2-9 of Galway’s total as they enjoyed a comfortable, 3-17 to 2-13 margin.
Damien Hayes scored a third Galway goal late on to make the margin a little more impressive following Cork goals from Luke O’Farrell and Kieran Murphy.
Whatever grudges there are between Kilkenny and Waterford seemed spent yesterday as Brian Cody’s men jaunted in at half-time enjoying a 1-10 to 0-2 over their neighbours. John Mullane was Waterford’s only scorer in that period. Michael Grace pressed claims for a summer residence in the first 15 with the opening goal of the game.
Waterford substitute Kevin Moran got a good goal to inject some life into the game after Eoin Kelly had drawn Waterford closer. But Kilkenny had the final two scores of the game to reassert themselves.
Offaly came close to achieving the boost to morale which a win over Tipp would have provided, but a goal from Séamus Callinan in the fourth minute of injury time spoiled the party at Tullamore. Tipp won by 1-18 to 2-14 after Shane Dooley had struck two goals in two minutes later in the game. Tipp came back with 1-3 without reply.
The Division Two final will be between Clare and Wexford after both recorded the necessary wins yesterday. Clare were untroubled by Kildare, while Wexford recovered from a poor first half to beat Antrim comfortably.
The other sides in with a chance of reaching the final were Carlow and Laois, who played out a physical encounter with four red cards being flashed, three to Carlow men and one to Laois. The pair meet again in the Leinster championship first round in a few weeks time.
Ticket sales should be brisk.
See also page 9
