Gritty Limerick suffer last gasp defeat to Down in Allianz Football League

“WE MADE it easy for Down to defend against us in the first half, but we improved after the break and had the chances to win,” was how manager Jimmy Lee expressed his disappointment as Seán Annett's score deep into injury time handed Down a dramatic 0-18 to 1-14 victory over his Limerick football side in Rathkeale's Mick Neville Park on Saturday afternoon.

With just one point from their two opening Allianz League Division Three fixtures, Lee's Limerick charges are in the same position as they were last year in Division Four before a powerful surge in their fortunes saw them not only land promotion but also the divisional title and later in the summer a place in the Tailteann Cup final.

Just as in their drawn opener away to Laois the week before, this was a contest that could have gone either way as a late Limerick rally clawed their way back to the brink of victory only to be thwarted by a late point.

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The result may have been frustrating for the big local support that turned out, but they certainly were lifted by the manner in which their side refused to lie down against the hot favourites to gain an instant return to Division Two.

Once again, squad injuries weakened Limerick's ability to control primary possession but, when they were on the back foot against sustained Down pressure during the middle of both halves, the Shannonsiders never lost their shape, dug their way back into contact and let their opponents know they were up against opponents who absolutely believed they could win.

A cagey start by both sides ended with Andrew Meade finishing off an extended attack. That opening score was then responded to by Daniel Guinness and Pierce McPolin pointing off turnovers which helped the Ulstermen into the lead.

However, caution then took over again as as did defensive tightness until, after Danny Neville intercepted off a half-chance on goal, Limerick skipper Barry Coleman equalised just as the game slipped into the second quarter.

Unfortunately for the hosts, that proved to be the signal for a Down response inside a three-minute spell. The spell began with Pat Havern sending over a two-point free.

Putting the squeeze on the Limerick kick-out, Ceilum Doherty struck off a blocked clearance, Ryan McEvoy finding the space for his shot, Odhran Murduck barreling up the middle through the challenges to point on the turn and Doherty bagging his second score.

The Mourne side could have been futher ahead had Barry O'Hagan's fisted effort not been disallowed for dropping directly into the net and Limerick took inspiration from that escape to draw a foul for Naughton to send over.

As they regained the initiative, Paul Maher pulled back another point and the gap was back to two coming up to the break when Bob Childs slotted over a two-pointer free.

However, pouncing off the quick kick-out, a five-pass move ended with Guinness' point that left the visitors leading 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time.

The margin widened further after Down's all-action restart led to Doherty pointing and Havern's free finding the target.

But once Limerick recovered their shape, the spaces were closed down and they began building from deep to create a two-pointer free from Eliah Riordan to which he added a further point from play.

Going into the final quarter, Down found their stride again, however, as they pressured the Limerick kickout and, after Jeffry Alfred blocked a shot destined for the net, quickfire points from Jamie Doran, Pierce McPolin and Guinness looked to have them back on the raod to victory.

Naughton's free broke the sequence but that scored was cancelled out by Annett's reply before the home side pressed the line of engagement forward to draw another Naughton free.

As they dialled up the pressure, a relentless move on the goals led to Shane Cross collecting off a blocked shot to feed Neville who blasted to the net.

However, the Down defence fended off follow-up attacks and looked to have weathered the storm when Guinness fired over a two-pointer for a lead of three with as many regulation minutes to go.

But Limerick still weren't finished. Riordan's successful free yielded his second two-pointer as the clock ticked into added time and the home support roared to a crescendo when another foul saw Naughton land the equalising score from a free.

A last push forward for the winner was repelled, before the visitors broke from defence and Annett was on hand to collect possession off a return pass that dissected the uprights, squeezed his side over the line.

SCORERS: DOWN: Daniel Guinness 0-5 (1 2pt), Pat Havern (1 free, 1 2pt free), Ceillum Doherty 0-3 each, Pierce McPolin, Seán Annett 0-2 each, Ryan McEvoy, Odhran Murdock, Jamie Doran 0-1 each. LIMERICK: Eliah Riordan 0-5 (2 2pt frees), James Naughton 0-4 (4 frees), Danny Neville 1-0, Bob Childs 0-2 (1 2pt), Andrew Meade, Barry Coleman, Paul Maher 0-1 each.

DOWN: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Barry O'Hagan; Pierce McPolin, Ryan Magill, Calum Magill; Odhran Murdock, Ryan McEvoy; Daniel Guinness, Ceilum Doherty, Seán Annett; Adam Crimmins, Pat Havern, John McGeough. SUBS: Jamie Doran for Barry O'Hagan (34 minutes), Tom Close for Ryan McEvoy (49 minutes), Donal Scullion for Adam Crimmins (49 minutes), Patrick Brooks for Callum Rogers (54 minutes), Gareth McKibben for John McGeough (60 minutes).

LIMERICK: Jeffrey Alfred; Jason Hassett, Colm McSweeney, Mark McCarthy; Barry Coleman, Killian Ryan, Diarmuid Buckley; Jack McCarthy, Paul Maher; Eliah Riordan, Andrew Meade, Seán Clancy; Bob Childs, James Naughton, Danny Neville. SUBS: Rory O'Brien for Andrew Meade (half-time), Shane Cross for Jack McCarthy (54 minutes), Oran Collins for Colm McSweeney (60 minutes), Brendan Carr for Paul Maher (65 minutes).

REFEREE: Fergal Kelly (Longford).