Limerick open Tailteann Cup campaign with precious victory over London

LIMERICK opened their Tailteann Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon with a 0-25 to 1-15 victory over London on Saturday afternoon in the Newcastle West GAA Grounds. 

The Shannonsiders had ten different scorers throughout the 70 minutes and that will be a big positive for Jimmy Lee and his management team to take into round two of the Tailteann Cup.

Darragh O'Hagan and Tommie Childs impressed in the middle third, while James Naughton and Emmet Rigter scored 0-8 between them for the victors. 

Limerick looked to be in control when they led 0-14 to 0-5 on 28 minutes. During that period Jimmy Lee's side produced some impressive attacking football. The hosts applied huge pressure on London goalkeeper Andrew Walsh's kickout. 

Emmet Rigter, Darragh O'Hagan, Danny Neville, Peter Nash and James Naughton all combined impressively scoring 0-12 between them in the opening 28 minutes. Rigter and Darragh O'Hagan made use of the new rules landing one two pointer each. 

Daniel Clarke, Ciaran Diver, Shay Rafter and Kristian Healy kept the exiles in touch during the first half. London then produced a strong finish to the first half hitting 1-4 on the trot in the final seven minutes of the opening period. Ruairi Rafferty's goal gave London huge oxygen before the break.

After a strong start to the first half, Limerick were now only 0-2 in front at the interval as they led 0-14 to 1-9 at the break. 

Scores were at a premium in the opening exchanges of the second half. Both Limerick and London were guilty of some sloppy turnovers. 

Substitute Barry Coleman made an instant impact scoring a two pointer on 44 minutes to push Limerick 0-16 to 1-9 ahead. London's Joshua Obahor replied to reduce the gap to three points. 

In a tightly contested encounter, Peter Nash and Shay Rafter exchanged early points. 

Limerick then seized momentum with a series of scores from Mungret St Paul's Darragh O'Hagan, Iain Corbett, and Rory O'Brien, pushing the hosts into a commanding position. However, London mounted a spirited comeback, with Ciaran Diver and Rafter narrowing the gap. 

In the closing stages, Josh Ryan and James Naughton added late points to secure a comfortable seven-point victory for Limerick.

Limerick make the trip to Antrim next Saturday May 17 in round two of the Tailteann Cup.

SCORERS: 

LIMERICK: Emmet Rigter (0-4, 0-1 two-pointer free), James Naughton 0-4, Iain Corbett (0-3, 0-1 two pointer), Darragh O'Hagan (0-3, 0-1 two pointer), Josh Ryan (0-1 two pointer free), Barry Coleman 0-1 two-pointer, Peter Nash (0-3, 0-1 free), Danny Neville 0-2, Tommie Childs and Rory O'Brien 0-1 each

LONDON: Shay Rafter (0-5, 0-1 free); Ciaran Diver (0-4, 0-1 free); Ruairi Rafferty 1-0; Matt Moynihan (0-2, 0-1 two pointer) Liam Gallagher (0-1 45), Daniel Clarke 0-1; Kristian Healy 0-1; Josh Obahor 0-1.

LIMERICK: Josh Ryan (Oola); Jason Hassett (Mungret St Paul's), Darren O'Doherty (Newcastle West), Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins); Mark McCarthy (Fr Casey's), Iain Corbett (Newcastle West), Tadgh O Siochru (Monaleen); Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels), Darragh O'Hagan (Mungret St Paul's); Paul Maher (Adare), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher Broadford); Danny Neville (Ballysteen), James Naughton (St Senan's), Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry). SUBS: Barry Coleman (Rathkeale) for McSweeney (half-time), Darragh Murray (Monaleen) for Maher (44 minutes), Robbie Childs (Galtee Gaels) for Rigter (53 minutes, injury), Rory O'Brien (Fr Casey's) for Neville (58 minutes), Killian Ryan (Mungret St Paul's) for Corbett (66 minutes)

LONDON: Andrew Walsh; Daire Rooney, Sean Taylor, Ciaran McCarrick; Eoin Walsh, Matt Moynihan, Conal Gallagher; Tighe Barry, Joshua Obahor; Liam Gallagher, Daniel Clarke, Kristian Healy; Ruairi Rafferty, Shay Rafter, Ciaran Diver. SUBS: Conor O'Donoghue for Barry (52 minutes), Fiontan Eastwood for Walsh (60 minutes), Nathan McElwaine for Gallagher (61 minutes), Michael O'Reilly for Clarke (66 minutes), Conor Cox for Obahor (68 minutes)

REFEREE: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).