Senior lose setting up play-off match with Cork

Post date: Apr 3, 2016 6:49:16 PM

Limerick 0-14 (0-6) Kilkenny 2-12 (1-6) 

Irish Daily Star National League Division 1 

Sunday 27th March in Bruff 

Limerick are still in the hunt for an Irish Daily Star National Camogie League Semi-Final slot despite losing their unbeaten record to Kilkenny in Bruff on Sunday. The 2-12 to 0-14 defeat meant Cork, Kilkenny and Limerick all finished with three wins a piece. Kilkenny had superior points difference and qualified for the semi-final at the top of the group while Cork and Limerick finished level on points difference as well requiring a play-off which will be held on Sunday 3rd April. 

Kilkenny came into the game knowing that a win was essential if they were to progress while a draw or indeed a narrow loss would have sufficed for Limerick. It was Limerick who opened the scoring with a point from Niamh Mulcahy however an Ann Dalton goal after 6 minutes put Kilkenny into a 1-0 to 0-1 lead which they were to hold for most of the game. Limerick responded well and on the quarter hour mark Limerick had pegged Kilkenny back to a single point 0-4 to 1-2. However Kilkenny were to close the half stronger re-establishing a 1-6 to 0-6 lead by the interval. 

Limerick had their best spell of the game immediately after the break and had levelled the scores 0-11 to 1-8 by the quarter hour mark with Karen O'leary joining Niamh Mulcahy on the scoreboard. However Ann Dalton was to strike again with a second goal three minutes from the end which re-established a three point lead 0-13 to 2-10. 

Crucially Kilkenny were to extend this to four points in the closing minutes bring Limerick's points difference level with Cork's setting up a play-off which will be a re-match of the opening game of the league in which Limerick recorded their first win over the Rebels in twelve years. 

Limerick Scorers: 

Niamh Mulcahy 0-12, Karen O'Leary 0-1, Caoimhe Costelloe 0-1 

Kilkenny Scorers: 

Ann Dalton 2-2, Denise Gaule 0-5, Sarah Ann Quinlan 0-2, Julieann Malone 0-2, Michelle Quilty 0-1 

Limerick: 

Claire Keating (Cappamore), Mar Guernsey McCarthy (Ahane), Lorraine McCarthy (Bruff), Judith Mulcahy (Ahane), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West), Fiona Hickey (Granagh Ballingarry), Niamh Richardson (Murroe Boher), Karen O'Leary (Newcastle West), Mary O'Callaghan (Bruff), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Niamh Mulcahy (Ahane), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare), Niamh Ryan (Bruff), Clíona Lane (Adare), Deborah Murphy (Knockaderry)  

Limerick 1-7 (1-4) Clare 2-7 (1-4) 

Munster U16 A Shield Final 

Saturday 26th March in South Liberties  

Limerick lost out to Clare by a single goal in a tightly contested Munster U16A Shield final in South Liberties on Saturday. It was Limerick who started brightest with Aoife Curtin adding a goal to her two opening points to put Limerick ahead 1-2 to 0-0 after 9 minutes. 

Clare came back into the game with some well taken points and with five minutes to half time had closed the gap to a single point. Róisin McMahon then hit the back of the net to put Clare ahead for the first time in the game 1-4 to 1-2. Limerick repsonded well and points from Aoife Curtin and Anna-Rose Kennedy sent the teams in at the break level at 1-4 a piece. 

Aoife Curtin put Limerick ahead immediately after the break but Clare had levelled again when Muireann Scanlon got the Banner's second and decisive goal with 10 minutes to go. Limerick kept pressing in the closing minutes and exchanged scores with Clare. But Clare hung on to win by 2-5 to 1-5. 

Though the result was disappointing this was a very strong performance from Limerick which shows they have decisively put their opening round performance behind them and they will look forward with renewed confidence to the All-Ireland Championship series which will start on the 3rd July. 

Limerick Scorers: 

Aoife Curtin 1-6, Anna-Rose Kennedy 0-1 

Limerick: 

Leah O'Carroll (Patrickswell), Eva Butler (Bruff), Katie Hayes (Cappamore), Larissa McCarthy (Tournafulla), Nóirín Lenihan (Croagh Kilfinny), Kate Ambrose (Newcastle West), Aisling Herbert (Ahane), Róisín Ambrose (Newcastle West), Aoife Curtin (Templeglantine), Geri-Mai O'Kelly (Newcastle West), Ciara Barry (Patrickswell), Edel Cunningham (Murroe Boher), Sophie Carroll (Crecora), Anna-Rose Kennedy (Galbally), Shauna Foley (Kilmallock)  

Subs used: 

Katie Heelan (Murroe Boher), Katelyn Hayes (Newcastle West), Orla Lenihan (Granagh Ballingarry)