Galway 0-18 Limerick 1-11:THIS GAME in Kilmallock was all about how Limerick's new-look side would fare to justify the continuation of Justin McCarthy and his management team. And the estimated attendance of 3,000 home supporters considered the outcome to be impressive and the jury is still out on the matter.
Indeed McCarthy later said: “I am happy with the performance and with the commitment of the players and also the big support.”
Limerick board chairman Liam Lenihan confirmed McCarthy still had the confidence of the board, but he added that he would like if the 2009 panel made themselves available.
On the evidence of this performance, no move is likely to be taken against the present management, but with Cork looming next Saturday opinions will be reserved until after that game at least.
Once a reference to the ongoing controversy was introduced, the Corkman was away and it was left to others to contemplate what the future will bring.
To their credit, the rank outsiders gave a most creditable performance and they led at the interval and could have gone five points in front two minutes into the second half.
Alan O’Connor was fouled and Paudie McNamara’s bullet-like penalty was deflected off the boot of Galway corner back Damien Joyce for a 65 which O’Connor pointed to put Limerick 1-8 to 0-9 in front.
Ger Farragher had a superb game at midfield for Galway, apart from his five points from frees and a magnificent fifth-minute pointed 65.
There was never much between the teams in the opening half with Cathal Mullane scoring an excellent Limerick goal after 13 minutes to tie the scores.
David Burke, Galway, and Limerick’s lan O’Connor, from a free, levelled matters again and Niall Hayes and Brian O’Sullivan swapped points to have it all square for the third time after 26 minutes.
Limerick went on to lead 1-7 to 0-9 and two minutes into the second half came the Limerick penalty. A goal then might have altered the result but Limerick went 17 minutes without a score in the second period after it was all square, 1-9 to 0-12, after 49 minutes.
Two minutes later Galway manager John McIntyre made a double substitution, bringing in Iarlaith Tannion and Niall Healy and both played major roles in the win.
Tannion scored a goal after 55 minutes and he added two points with Hayes also putting over a brace of points.
In the end Galway ran out comfortable winners thanks to outstanding displays by Farragher, captain Shane Kavanagh from Kinvara, Tony Óg Regan and Niall Cahalan.
Limerick’s goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn made two superb saves in the second half and Shane O’Neill and Andrew Brennan were best of a defence which paid a price for conceding frees but got through an enormous amount of work.
Up front, Cathal Mullane, Graeme Mulcahy and Paudie McNamara were best but once McIntyre introduced his double substitution it signalled the end for Limerick.
GALWAY:J Skehill; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, P Holland; D Barry, T Óg Regan (0-1), K Hynes; G Farragher (0-6, three frees, one sideline), N Cahalan (0-2); A Callanan, C Donnellan (0-3), D Burke (0-1); A Harte (0-1), J Gantley, N Hayes (0-2). Subs:F Moore for Holland (41 mins), I Tannian (1-2) for Hayes (47 mins), N Healy for Harte (47 mins), J Lee for Hynes (63 mins), D Collins for Burke (69 mins).
LIMERICK:T Flynn; D Lynch, D Kenny, S O'Neill; L O'Dwyer, A Brennan, C King; N Quaid, P Browne; B O'Sullivan (0-2), A Owens, C Mullane (1-0 mins), G Mulcahy (0-2), P McNamara (0-1), A O'Connor (0-6, five frees, one 65). Subs:T O'Brien (Patrickswell) for Owens (39 mins), P Harty for Mullane (50 mins), D Madden for Quaid (52 mins).
Referee:C McAllister (Cork).
