Limerick overcome Offaly challenge to secure third National Hurling League win on the trot

IT MAY have been off-Broadway, but Aidan O’Connor put on a show for Limerick in this Allianz Hurling League Division 1A game, overcoming the challenge of Offaly 2-19 to 0-17 at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday afternoon.

For the first time in 2026, a Limerick senior hurling match could not be watched on television or a stream, but that mattered little as O’Connor notched 0-10, including eight first half points in an otherwise forgettable contest.

It marked the third game in a row that the Ballybrown man got his personal tally into double figures.

Despite a display that was at times lacklustre, two goals in three minutes from Shane O’Brien and Cathal O’Neill made it three wins in a row for John Kiely’s side. 

With two home games to round off the group stage, the Treaty are now in a strong place to reach the final which will be played in the first weekend of April.

From the throw-in Limerick did show intent. The first two balls Limerick won in the middle of the field were played into Aaron Gillane. However, for the visitors, accuracy was an issue. The first four shots on goal went wide before Aidan O’Connor finally broke their duck in the ninth minute, Offaly already having two Adam Screeney points on the board.

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Once they settled, Limerick were the better team. Further scores from O’Connor, Diarmaid Byrnes from long range, and Shane O’Brien put them in front.

Offaly stuck with their opponents however and scores from Ben Conneely, Ter Guinan and Daniel Bourke saw the sides level at 0-5 apiece mid-way through the first half.

There was a noticeable drop in intensity from Limerick compared to their previous two outings against Kilkenny and Tipperary. However, the striking of O’Connor from frees and open play kept the Treaty ahead.

Towards the end of the opening period, there was a marked improvement. Quick-fire scores from Cathal O’Neill and Adam English gave Limerick some breathing room for the first time in the afternoon.

O’Connor’s eighth score of the half ended the scoring before the short whistle, with Limerick taking a 0-12 to 0-7 lead into the interval. Eight first half wides of concern for John Kiely’s men.

While Offaly started the second half better, Limerick shot to life after conceding three of the first four points of the period. 

O’Neill to O’Connor who handpassed over his head to Cian Lynch who - despite an otherwise quiet afternoon - finished off the score fo the game.

English followed this with a superb score after selling a dummy and finishing clinically to extend the lead back to five.

With Limerick keeping their noses in front, a Shane O’Brien goal in the 53rd minute pushed the lead to seven and ensured there would be no upset in the Midlands.

O’Brien then turned provider as he set up O’Neill for Limerick’s second goal three minutes later.

With the result secured, the game petered out in the final 15 minutes. Not the best performance but the healthy travelling Limerick support could make the trip home satisfied ahead of the visit of Cork on Saturday.

SCORERS

Offaly: Adam Screeney 0-9 (8f); Ter Guinan 0-2; Ben Connneely, Daniel Bourke, Donal Shirley, Killian Sampson, Luke Nolan, Brian Duignan 0-1 each.

Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-10 (7f); Shane O’Brien, Cathal O’Neill 1-1 each; Adam English, Diarmuid Byrnes (1f) 0-2 each; David Reidy, Cian Lynch, Colin Coughlan 0-1 each.

TEAMS

OFFALY: Liam Hoare; Patrick Taaffe, Ben Conneely, Sam Bourke; Jack Clancy, Killian Sampson, Donal Shirley; Colin Spain, Ross Ravenhill; Daniel Bourke, Oisin Kelly, Ter Guinan; Luke Nolan, Brian Duignan, Adam Screeney.

Subs: Luke Watkins for Jack Clancy (58 mins); Evan Kelly for Colin Spain (60 mins); Cian Burke for Luke Nolan (62 mins); Brecon Kavanagh for Patrick Taaffe (66 mins).

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Sean Finn; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Colin Coughlan; Cathal O’Neill, Darragh O’Donovan; Aidan O’Connor, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, Adam English.

Subs: Gearoid Hegarty for Cian Lynch (11-12, temporary); David Reidy for Darragh O’Donovan (21 mins); Gearoid Hegarty for Tom Morrissey (54 mins); Matthew Fitzgerald for Colin Coughlan (55 mins); Fintan Fitzgerald for Adam English (59 mins); Ethan Hurley for Aidan O’Connor (59 mins).

REFEREE: Liam Gordon (Galway).