Limerick ease to second runaway win in Division 1B of Very Camogie League

LIMERICK collected another three points in Division 1B of the Very Camogie League, thanks to an extremely comfortable 3-19 to 0-6 victory over Down at a testing Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Saturday afternoon.  

Switched from Rathkeale late on Friday evening, naturally, given the weather, the pitch proved challenging for both sides.

However, Joe Quaid’s Limerick side ignored that as they swatted the Ulster side's challenge aside to collect a second comfortable win, after winning away to Kerry last weekend.

Next up is Dublin as Limerick look to build towards promotion from 1B. There was little doubt from early on that they would take the points.

“Performance wise we’ve a lot to work on,” explained Quaid.

“We made a lot of basic handling errors. We spoke just after the game, we set our own standards and by our standards they weren’t good enough. But the one thing we have to say is the fight in the girls against that strong wind in the second half meant we ran out comprehensive winners in the end.”

There was strong performances from Rebecca Delee, Sarah Carey and Sophie O’Callaghan, while sub Mary O’Callaghan helped herself to 2-1, all of which came in stoppage time. There was also debuts for Sarah Cosgrave of Ahane and Doon’s Cliodhna Ryan.

Limerick, assisted by a strong breeze led 0-11 to 0-2 at half time. Early scores from Lizanna Boylan and O’Callaghan set the tone but Down levelled after scores from Aoife McDowell and Clara McDowell.

However, once Limerick inched ahead within sixty seconds they wouldn’t look back. Caoimhe Costelloe and Delee were prominent with the latter scoring four points in seven minutes to put the Treaty eight clear by the 26^th minute.

Niamh Ryan made it a nine-point lead at half-time. The same player opened the scoring after the interval, before Paul Donnelly’s visitors ended 26 minutes without a score through Aoife Murphy’s free.

There was a glut of scores, including a goal to close the third quarter. Caoimhe Lyons made it herself, turning the ball over, racing clear and finishing with aplomb. Ailbhe Larkin chipped in shortly afterwards, as the result was put to bed.

As Quaid emptied his bench, Limerick lost their scoring touch somewhat. Points from Costelloe and Orlaith Kelleher were exchanged with frees from Murphy and McDowell. Down only managed one score from play over the hour, as their new-look squad struggled to find their feet.

Then in stoppage time, Bruff’s O’Callaghan scrambled one goal, quickly added another before firing over a point from 25 meters.

Limerick return to action away to Dublin next weekend, before a fortnight's break before they face Antrim.

SCORERS: Limerick: Mary O’Callaghan 2-1; Caoimhe Costelloe 0-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 45); Rebecca Delee 0-4; Caoimhe Lyons 1-1; Niamh Ryan 0-2; Lizanna Boylan, Laura Fennelly, Sophie O’Callaghan, Ailbhe Larkin, Orlaith Kelleher 0-1 each. Down: Aoife McDowell 0-3 (all frees); Aoife Murphy 0-2 (both frees); Clara Cowan 0-1.

LIMERICK: Ciara Mulqueen; Aoife Nelligan, Marian Quaid, Teresa Dore; Mairead Ryan, Sarah Carey, Nadine White; Dearbhla Egan, Rebecca Delee; Lizanna Boylan, Niamh Ryan, Sophie O’Callaghan; Caoimhe Costello, Laura Fennelly (Capt), Caoimhe Lyons. Subs: Ailbhe Larkin for Boylan, Mary O’Callaghan for Fennelly (both 36 mins); Muireann Creamer for Egan, Orlaith Kelleher for O’Callaghan (both 49 mins); Cliodhna Ryan for Dore (55 mins).

DOWN: Aoife Sherry; Isabella O’Hare, Dearbhla Magee, Dearbhla Coleman; Rhea Smyth, Beth Fitzpatrick, Claire McGilligan; Saoirse Sands, Clara Cowan; Grace Cunningham, Aoife Murphy, Ceallagh Byrne; Orlaith McCusker, Sophie McGrath, Aoife McDowell. Subs: Emily Fitzpatrick for Byrne (half-time); Neisha McCullough for Murphy (38 mins); Gerra McGrattan for McGrath (47 mins).

REFEREE: Aaron Hogg (Clare)