Resilient Limerick edge past Wicklow to reach Tailteann Cup final for first time

THE LIMERICK senior footballers have reached their first ever Tailteann Cup final after they defeated Wicklow 2-18 to 1-17 in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Danny Neville and goalkeeper Josh Ryan impressed in Limerick's victory scoring 1-6 between them. Limerick produced a sensational comeback in the second half on 53 minutes the victors trailed by seven points . In the final 15 minutes, the Division 4 league champions outscored their opponents 1-9 to 0-1. 

Limerick came into the Tailteann Cup semi-final against Wicklow having finished top of their group recording victories over London, Antrim and Westmeath. Last week, Jimmy Lee's side defeated Wexford to reach their first ever Tailteann Cup semi-final. 

It was a cagey start in the opening exchanges of the first half where both sides struggled to break eachother down. Wicklow's Mark Kenny opened the scoring but that was quickly cancelled out by an effort from Limerick captain Cillian Fahy. The sides began to trade scores after that when Tony McCarthy and James Naughton combined impressively. Meanwhile Christopher O'Brien and Eoin Darcy had sides deadlocked 0-3 apiece. 

Wicklow wing forward Joe Prendergast pushed the Leinster side 0-4 to 0-3 clear on 14 minutes. Limerick sharpshooter Danny Neville won the ball outside of 45 and the 32 year old excellently carried the ball past the Wicklow defence and he slotted the ball into the back of the net from close range. Kildimo-Pallaskenry clubman Tony McCarthy stood out in the opening period and McCarthy added his second point of the day. 

On 22 minutes, Danny Neville kickpassed the ball in the direction of Emmet Rigter, Rigter handpassed the ball across to Paul Maher and Maher was through on goal but the Wicklow defence stood tall. James Naughton extended Limerick's lead out to three points on 25 minutes. 

However, Oisin McConville's charges regrouped through Dean Healy and Mark Jackson to level the contest for the fourth time in the first half. Two points from Peter Nash in the closing stages of the first half saw Limerick hold a slender 1-7 to 0-9 lead at the interval. 

Neville pushed Limerick 1-8 to 0-9 clear after the interval. Eoin Darcy and Dean Healy replied to bring Wicklow back into the contest, Newcastle West clubman Emmet Rigter got on the end of an excellent team move to give Limerick breathing space. 

Limerick suffered three big setbacks in the second half when Iain Corbett, Emmet Rigter and James Naughton were all off forced off through injury. 

Wicklow then began to dominate the next period of the contest scoring 1-4 without reply corner back Malachy Stone's goal had  the Garden county in the ascendency leading 1-16 to 1-9. Limerick needed a score quickly and Bob Childs turnover on goalkeeper Mark Jackson proved to be crucial as the Galtee Gaels clubman kicked the ball into an empty net. 

Limerick substitutes Bob Childs, Barry Coleman and Darragh Murray made significant impacts scoring 1-3 off the bench.

Josh Ryan, Danny Neville and Barry Coleman added further scores to level the sides on 61 minutes. Nash, Coleman, Darragh Murray, and Josh Ryan all contributed late scores in the final ten minutes to secure a four-point win over Wicklow.

Limerick will now face Fermanagh or Kildare in the Tailteann Cup final on Saturday July 12 in Croke Park. 

Scorers for Limerick: Danny Neville 1-2; Josh Ryan 0-4 (2tpf); Bob Childs 1-0; Peter Nash 0-3 (0-2 frees); James Naughton, Tony McCarthy, Barry Coleman 0-2 each; Cillian Fahy, Emmet Rigter, Darragh Murray 0-1 each

WICKLOW: Dean Healy 0-5 (2tp); Malachy Stone 1-0; Mark Jackson (2 frees), Kevin Quinn, Joe Prendergast, Eoin Darcy 0-2 each; Mark Kenny, Christopher O’Brien, Oisin McGraynor, Jack Kirwan 0-1 each

LIMERICK: Josh Ryan (Oola), Jason Hassett (Mungret St Pauls), Darren O'Doherty (Newcastle West), Mark McCarthy (Fr Caseys), Paul Maher (Adare), Iain Corbett (Newcastle West), Tony McCarthy (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels), Darragh O'Hagan (Mungret St Pauls), James Naughton (St Senans), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher/Broadford), Peter Nash (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Danny Neville (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), Killian Ryan (Mungret St Pauls)

SUBS: Bob  Childs (Galtee Gaels) for Naughton (39 minutes, injury), Tadgh O'Siochru for Corbett (45 minutes), Barry Coleman (Rathkeale) for Rigter (48 minutes), Darragh Murray (Monaleen) for O'Hagan (52 minutes), Rory O'Brien (Fr Casey's) for Maher (60 minutes).

Wicklow: Mark Jackson; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, Patrick O’Keane, Darragh Fee; Dean Healy (C), Pádraig O’Toole; Christopher O’Brien, Eoin Darcy, Cathal Baker; Oisín McGraynor, Craig Maguire, Mark Kenny.

SUBS: Kevin Quinn for Maguire (27 minutes), John Paul Nolan for Baker (44 minutes), Andy Maher for Prendergast (60 minutes), Jack Hardy 6 for J Prendergast (61 minutes), Jack Kirwan 7 for Kenny (63 minutes), ConorFee for McGraynor (66 minutes).

REFEREE: David Murane (Cork)