Spirited Limerick camogie side secure Division 1B status after crucial win over Offaly

A SUPERB second half goal from Limerick star Claire Keating proved to be the difference as John Lillis’ side secured their Division 1B status thanks to a hard-fought 2-14 to 1-14 win against Offaly at Mick Neville Park on Saturday afternoon.

Limerick, who were without a League win since they beat Clare in 2021, were level with a spirited Offaly side 10 times in this relegation battle before three late points – two Keating frees and a Orlaith Kelleher point – eventually put daylight between the two sides.

This Very National Camogie League fifth round tie in Rathkeale got off to a flying start and after Offaly scored a fourth minute goal through Siobhan Flannery, Limerick fought back and both sides were level on seven separate occasions in the opening half. It was 1-8 apiece at the break before Lillis’ charges got the better of the Faith County in the second half thanks to the almost faultless free taking efforts from Keating, who starred for the Treaty women with an impressive return of 1-9.

After Sarah Walsh slotted over a long-range effort in the opening minute, Limerick responded in the best possible manner when Caoimhe Lyons tapped over after a superb solo run.

Limerick, looking to kickstart their campaign with a long overdue win, reacted well to Offaly’s early goal, after Flannery was reacted quickest after a scramble inside the box to raise the green flag, and were level again by the eight-minute following to two Keating quick-fire frees.

The hosts went in front for the first time midway through the opening half when Keating slotted over her fourth free of the afternoon, before three Mairead Teehan frees without response had Offaly two points ahead once ahead.

In truth, Limerick looked the better side from play, and were duly rewarded for their efforts when the impressive Lyons added to her earlier point with a top drawer goal in the 20th minute to put her side a point ahead for the second time.

In what was a very stop-start affair, both sides exchanged a further two frees each, either side of a Sarah Harding point, to go in level at the half time break.

A superb save from Laura O’Neill kept Offaly at bay with their last puck of the opening 35 minutes.

Teehan continued her form into the second half and Offaly were two points to the good inside the first 10 minutes of the second half, however, Limerick had other ideas and an excellent team goal had Lillis’ side a point ahead by the 40th minute.

Again boosted by Teehan’s impressive free taking efforts, Offaly drew level minutes later before going by two points with less than 12 minutes to go.

Points from Keating and Lyons had Limerick level again before an excellent score from Orlaith Kelleher and two late Keating frees gave the home side a much-needed win.

This wasn’t without a late scare however as Laura O’Neill saved Limerick’s blushes with a brilliant diving save after Mairead Teehan went for goal with a low drilled free.

SCORERS: LIMERICK: Claire Keating 1-9 (nine frees); Caoimhe Lyons 1-2; Sophie O’Callaghan, Orlaith Kelleher, Caoimhe Costello 0-1 each. OFFALY: Mairead Teehan 0-11 (nine frees, two ‘45s); Siobhan Flannery 1-0, Sarah Harding, Rachel Brennan, Sarah Walsh 0-1 each

TEAMS:

LIMERICK: Laura O’Neill; Teresa Dore, Muireann Creamer, Marian Quaid (capt.); Aine O’Tiarnaigh, Ailbhe Larkin, Mairead Ryan; Éle Madigan, Orlaith Kelleher; Caoimhe Lyons, Sophie O’Callaghan, Aine Reynolds; Caoimhe Costello, Mary O’Callaghan, Claire Keating. Subs: Lizanna Boylan for Kelleher (blood sub 28 minutes – 31 minutes); Lizanna Boylan for Reynolds (38 mins); Sarah O’Brien for O’Callaghan (54 mins); Stephaine Woulfe for O’Tiarnaigh (58 mins)

OFFALY: Leah Gallaher; Sinead Moore, Alana Roddy, Aisling Feeney; Sarah Walsh, Orlagh Phelan, Orla Gorman; Grainne Dolan (capt.), Louise Mannion; Lisa Gorman, Rachel Brennan, Caoimhe Darcy; Mairead Teehan, Sarah Harding, Siobhan Flannery SUBS: Amy Byrne for O’Brien (half-time); Becky Bryant for Gorman (52 minutes); Rachel O’Brien for Flannery (58 mins)

REFEREE: Barry Nea (Westmeath)