Limerick avail of erro
Hurlers play into hands of All-Ireland ch
LIMERICK WEXFORD
WEXFORD’S SEASON did not begin as one would have hoped as they eventually went down to a three-point defeat to the reigning All-Ireland champions, Limerick, in this opening Allianz Hurling League Division 1A game played at bitterly cold Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday.
Having led by three points at the interval, Limerick took full advantage of the calamity of errors which filtered through Wexford’s play for the most part, resulting in crucial scores both from play and placed balls.
Most in the crowd will feel that the best team came out on top in the end, although Wexford came so close to snatching a draw in a desperate finish.
It took Limerick a while to blow the cobwebs off, but once they managed to inject some pace into their game, they warmed to the task, leaving them to look the superior outfit through the second 35 minutes.
But, most unlike the All-Ireland champions of last year, they frittered away a number of scoring chances both from play and placed balls, leaving them blessed by the opposition’s ineptitude both in defence in attack.
The defence, particularly the full-back line, was left exposed following the red carding of Liam Ryan along with opposing full-forward Seamus Flanagan, following a flare-up on the sideline involving a number of players after 26 minutes.
For Ryan it was his second red card offence in the space of eight days, having also been sent packing in the Walsh Cup final against Galway.
While Wexford absorbed lots of Limerick pressure, they still had to contend with the loss of two of their full-back line inside the opening half hour.
Conor Firman had been forced to retire injured after just 17 minutes, and it had an unsettling impact as the concession of frees and scores from play saw Limerick lead for the entire second period, really only coming under pressure in the closing minutes.
Qualification for the knockout stages would necessarily mean having to win one’s home games, so the dropping of two points could prove crucial come the business end of the group, with Wexford now having to visit Cork this Sunday.
The impressive way in which Limerick fashioned this victory, although some way behind in the physical fitness stakes, will not be lost on a Wexford side which was erratic with its handpassing, while the quality of their stickwork was such that it led to numerous mistakes which resulted in scores for the eventual winners.
Limerick’s finishing lacked its usual sharpness as they ended with 14 wides to four from the opposition.
This engrossing arm-wrestle with the All-Ireland champions was possibly the best test for Wexford as they will now realise where and how they have to raise their game if they are to take points home from Cork, who are also point-less after the opening joust with Kilkenny.
After the game Limerick boss John Kiely expressed his satisfaction with the victory. ‘The boys really dug in. It’s not easy to gain a victory down here but the boys played with a level of intensity, the same hunger and desire as last year.
‘We were down some players but the lads that came in made an impact while the subs today also impacted on the outcome,’ he said.
‘In terms of preparation we know we are behind other counties. We have Tipperary next week, so we’ll have to step up another level.
‘We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, have a few injuries which we will be looking at. It’s a tricky time for players, with the Fitzgibbon Cup also to deal with. All we can do is manage the players as best we can, but to come down here and get a win leaves us satisfied.’
On the incident which led to the two sendings-off, Kiely said: ‘It occurred out on the sideline close to the stand, there’s not a lot of room, so it was difficult to see. These things should not happen, and both sides are now down a player for next week.’
While Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald was warm in his praise of Limerick, he felt it was a game where his side could have got a result.
‘Late on Conor McDonald struck a post, Liam Og McGovern’s attempt from the rebound struck the ‘keeper’s helmet and went for a ‘65. We took a quick free we should have pointed. Had we taken those late scores it’s a game we could have won, or at least got a draw.
‘Look, the sending-off of Liam Ryan affected us big time. It left us a man short in the full-back line, giving Limerick the type of space one would not want to. I didn’t see the incide the referees are instr regarding bad tackle
‘But I still feel we h great chance to take pions. It was a tricky competitive, but I beli of easy frees, but loo we did not take it.’
There was a real