Fast start helps Dublin edge past Limerick in senior hurling challenge

DUBLIN's first half performance proved to be enough as they defeated Limerick 4-20 to 2-20 in a senior hurling challenge on Sunday evening in the University of Limerick's North Campus.

John Kiely's side played their second challenge game of the weekend and Kiely mixed his starting XV with youth and experience.

Four regulars from last year's starting XV featured,  including Kyle Hayes, Gearoid Hegarty, Seamus Flanagan and newly appointed Limerick senior hurling captain Cian Lynch. 

Fergal O'Connor and Aidan O'Connor were some of the Limerick players that stood out in Limerick's second challenge game in 48 hours. 

The Dubs raced into an early two point lead before Limerick hit back.

Seamus Flanagan took on the Dublin defence but the visitors managed to halt his progress. However, the sliotar fell to Gearoid Hegarty who drilled the sliotar to the net.

Dublin's response was impressive and the visitors hit 1-5 on the trot to lead 1-7 to 1-0.Back came Limerick as Hegarty and Aidan O'Connor reduced the gap for the Shannonsiders.

On 16 minutes, Dublin pushed 2-8 to 1-2 in front. The Munster champions held their composure in attack when Aidan O'Connor off loaded the sliotar to Hugh Flanagan and the John the Baptist student raised Limerick's second green flag of the evening. 

Two minutes later, Dublin asserted their dominance even further when they scored their third goal of the evening. O'Connor then nailed two placed balls in-a-row which meant Limerick trailed 3-8 to 2-4. 

Niall O'Ceallchain's outfit were using the ball excellently. The Leinster side hit 1-3 without reply and now led 4-10 to 2-4. 

Points courtesy of Barry Murphy and Aidan O'Connor kept Limerick within touching distance as they trailed 4-13 to 2-8 at the break. 

Dublin's pace all over the pitch caused the home side difficulty in the opening period. John Kiely's charges looked a different team in the second half, however.

Ballybrown clubman Aidan O'Connor continued his accuracy in front of the posts along with an inspirational effort from corner back Fergal O'Connor which gave Limerick some confidence in the early stages of the second half. 

On 56 minutes, the 2023 All-Ireland champions trailed 4-17 to 2-17 on 56 minutes after some good work by Aidan O'Connor, Gearoid Hegarty and Patrick O'Donovan.

In the final ten minutes, both sides hit 0-3 each. Cian Scully. Aidan O'Connor and Con Hayes were on all on target for Limerick but Dublin held on for victory.

Overall, Kiely will be happy to give more players gametime in the Limerick jersey. A large proportion of the squad will now turn their attention to the Fitzgibbon Cup this Wednesday. 

SCORERS:  LIMERICK: Aidan O'Connor 0-11 (0-8 frees), Gearoid Hegarty 1-2, Hugh Flanagan 1-0, Barry Murphy 0-2, Fergal O'Connor, Patrick O'Donovan, Colin Coughlan, Con Hayes and Cian Scully 0-1 each

LIMERICK: Jason Gillane (Patrickswell); Fergal O'Connor (Effin), Sean Casey (Bruff), William Dore (Dromin Athlacca); Chris Thomas (Doon), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Barry Murphy (Doon), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret  St Paul's); Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick's), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown); Oisin O'Farrell (ABK Desmonds), Seamus Flanagan (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane. SUBS: Cian Scully for Thomas (half-time), Evan O'Leary for Dore (half-time), Patrick O'Donovan for O'Farrell (half-time), Eddie Stokes for Fitzgerald (half-time), Darragh Langan for Hayes (56 minutes), Con Hayes for Hugh Flanagan (56 minutes), Dylan Lynch for Cian Lynch (56 minutes), Conor Hanley Clarke for Gillane (56 minutes), Oisin O'Farrell for Hegarty (58 minutes).