Brave Limerick footballers bow out of Masters Championship
Tyrone proved too strong for Limerick in the All-Ireland Masters Football semi-final in Athlone
THE Limerick Masters football team ended their 2026 program, suffering defeat to Tyrone in the Division 3 semi-final over the weekend.
The Ulster side emerged 4-14 to 0-12 winners in Athlone to book a place in the final.
It was always going to be a big ask to topple the five-in-a-row Division 1 champions even if they had lost some of their star-studded names this season.
Limerick as they proved in their opening round victory over Cork, have never minded the underdogs tag and throughout the first quarter of this game it was the Shannonsiders that looked the more dangerous side.
Anthony Molyneaux opened the scoring with a pointed free, Tyrone quickly levelled but Limerick once more regained the lead. Despite spending much of the opening 10 minutes in the Tyrone half, Limerick did not achieve their reward on the scoreboard.
Tyrone would raise the first green flag against the run of play to deliver Limerick a sucker punch. In the second quarter, the Red Hand County found an extra gear with the middle eight full of running and the gap started to widen between the teams.
A second goal for Tyrone just before half time gave them a 2-9 to 0-5 lead which didn’t reflect the hard work from the Limerick side.
Limerick needed a blistering start to the second period but instead it was Tyrone who found the net for their third goal within two minutes of the restart.
The Shannonsiders, to their credit dug deep, kicking the next three points but still finding themselves 10 in arrears.
Limerick never threw in the towel but a very strong, fit and well drilled Tyrone team were not willing to give any lifelines. A late Tyrone goal left a sizeable gap between the sides which didn’t reflect the Limerick effort throughout the day.
Tyrone play Derry in the Division 3 final.
In the top grade, Dublin and Donegal will contest the Division 1 decider.