Limerick open camogie league with resounding wins over Kerry and Down

THE Limerick senior camogie side opened their Very Division 1B National Camogie League with a runaway 3-23 to 1-4 victory over Kerry at Ballyheigue on Saturday afternoon.

Joe Quaid's side laid the foundation for this win in the opening half after which the dominant Shannonsiders held a significant 1-12 to 0-2 lead.

Limerick's first half goal came in the 4th minute when the impressive Caoimhe Costelloe rifled the sliotar to the net from the 20m line to help her side into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.

A Mairead Ryan point mid-way through the opening half had Limerick 1-9 to 0-0 in front, before Kerry finally opened their account with a point.

Soon after the restart, the hugely influential Rebecca Delee fired over another excellent point for Limerick who continued to hold the upperhand. 

Costelloe then added a second Limerick goal to help the visitors into a 2-14 to 0-3 lead, before further points from Sophie O'Callaghan and Caoimhe Lyons helped them stretch further clear.

Niamh Ryan then added a third goal for Limerick in the 54th minute as the Shannonsiders eased to a 3-23 to 1-4 victory.

Limerick host Down in Round 2 of the Very Division 1 National Camogie League on Saturday next, March 2.

LIMERICK SENIOR SCORERS: Caoimhe Costelloe 2-4 (0-1 free), Niamh Ryan 1-4, Caoimhe Lyons 0-5, Rebecca Delee 0-4, Sophie O'Callaghan 0-2, Sophie O'Callaghan 0-2, Jackie Horgan 0-1(0-1 free), Mary O'Callaghan, Mairead Ryan 0-1 each. 

LIMERICK SENIOR TEAM: Ciara Mulqueen, Teresa Dore, Marian Quaid, Aoife Nelligan, Mairead Ryan, Sarah Carey, Nadine White, Dearbhla Egan, Rebecca Delee, Sophie Callaghan, Niamh Ryan, Lizanne Boylan, Laura Fennelly, Caoimhe Costello, Caoimhe Lyons. 

Meanwhile, in Division 3B of the Very National Camogie League, Limerick secured a comprehensive 4-20 to 0-4 win over Down in Cappamore on Saturday.

Limerick led the game 1-14 to 0-1 at half-time. 

Ella Hession continued her impressive form throughout the game scoring 2-3 from play as Limerick slotted over scores with ease. 

This left the junior team with their first victory in the Division 3B league finishing on a scoreline of 4-20 to 0-4 against Down.

They will face a trip to Antrim this Saturday at 2pm. 

LIMERICK JUNIOR SCORERS: Ella Hession 2-3, Carla Griffin 0-4(0-4 frees), Ciara English 1-1, Laoise Fitzgibbon 1-0, Valerie Shanahan 0-3, Amy Burke, Lisa English, Zara White, Tori Smith and Muireann Leahy 0-1 each. 

LIMERICK JUNIOR TEAM: Leah Quinlan, Megan Ryan, Tara Lenihan, Elaine Frawley, Ann Kennedy, Muireann Leahy, Ciara Houlihan, Kate Feasey, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Valerie Shanahan, Noelle Curtin, Ciara English, Amy Burke, Ella Hession, Carla Griffin.