Limerick rue slow start in Championship opener

Post date: Jun 21, 2016 4:27:10 PM

Limerick 1-16 (0-6) Wexford 3-17 (2-9) 

Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship 

Saturday 18th June at 5.15pm 

Innovate Wexford Park 

Limerick were made to rue a slow start to their opening Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Camogie Championship match at Innovate Wexford Park as they lost out by 3-17 to 1-16 in a high scoring encounter. To be fair they were up against a Wexford side, full of experienced All-Ireland winners and not a few All-Stars, on their home patch and hungry to return to winning ways in the championship. 

Niamh Mulcahy opened Limerick's account in the second minute to level after Shelly Kehoe had opened the scoring for Wexford. It was, however, to be Limerick's only score of the opening quarter as a dominant Wexford side scored an unanswered 2-5, including goals from Kate Kelly and Úna Leacy, which saw them streak into an 11-point lead. It could have been worse but for a hard-working performance by the back three and Claire Keating in goal who pulled off three excellent saves to deny Wexford further goals. 

Limerick steadied the ship somewhat, in the second quarter with Niamh Mulcahy providing leadership and her 5 points saw Limerick go in at the break trailing by 2-9 to 0-6. 

Manager John Tuohy introduced Rebecca Delee and Noreen Barry at the break and Clíona Lane shortly after but it was Wexford who again started strongest extending their lead to twelve points. But as the substitutes began to make an impact Limerick came into the game. However another Úna Leacy goal at the end of the quarter put the Slaneysiders into a commanding thirteen point lead from which there appeared to be no way back. 

Limerick showed great character and responded with a hand-passed goal from Niamh Mulcahy. Though the game was still over as a contest, Limerick had the better of the closing exchanges and with Caoimhe Costelloe joining Niamh Mulcahy in scoring duties, they had closed the gap to six points when Kate Kelly converted a free for Wexford with the game’s last act. 

Limerick management will have plenty to take from the game both positive and negative and will no doubt regroup for the visit of Waterford next Saturday in Kilmallock and hope to bounce back with a positive result in front of home support. 

Limerick Scorers: Niamh Mulcahy 1-14 (0-9 frees), Caoimhe Costelloe 0-2 

Wexford Scorers: Kate Kelly 1-8 (0-4 frees), Una Lacey 2-3, Shelley Kehoe 0-5, Katrina Parrock 0-1 

Limerick Team: Claire Keating (Cappamore), Marguerita McCarthy (Ahane), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Judith Mulchay (Ahane), Siobhán Enright (Granagh Ballingarry), Niamh Richardson (Murroe Boher), Fiona Hickey (Granagh Ballingarry), Karen O'Leary (Newcastle West), Mary O'Callaghan (Bruff), Deborah Murphy (Knockaderry), Niamh Mulcahy (Ahane), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare), Chloe O'Brien (Ballyagran), Niamh Ryan (Bruff), Rebecca Noonan (Granagh Ballingarry) 

Subs: Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West) for Mary O'Callaghan (30 mins), Noreen Barry (Killeedy) for Rebecca Noonan (30 mins), Clíona Lane (Adare) for Karen O'Leary (37 mins), Marian Quaid (Bruff) for Niamh Richardson (54 mins)