By Mike Fitzpatrick
Limerick were heavy favorites coming into this senior hurling tie Sunday at Gaelic Park, with many expecting them to cruise through with little difficulty. Having already qualified for the playoffs, Limerick came up against an Offaly side that simply had to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Sean Guinan’s men proved up to the challenge, and shoved the critics’ words back down their throats with a fabulous display that, but for the last 10 minutes or so, they could easily have won.
Limerick began on the offensive, taking nothing for granted, and a first-half display from Dave Sims and company saw them surge into an early lead.
The experience of Morgan Burns at half forward proved crucial, as he battered his way through the Offaly backline to score a great goal and a point in the first half hour.
Sims, again, was in truly inspired form. Everything he seemed to touch turned to gold, with a goal and 3 points registered for his first-half troubles.
Offaly proved no slouches, though, and refused to just sit back. A fabulous display from Mike O’Brien and Dave Reynolds up front helped Offaly claw back into the game, and going into the break they trailed by 6 points.
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Offaly were the better side for much of the second half, with Enda Condron and Sean Donoghue really shining for their side.
A magnificent second-half comeback ensued in the rain at Gaelic Park, which saw Offaly battle their way back into the tie. Goals from Dave Reynolds and O’Brien, along with a couple of points from an on-form Morgan Rowesome, leveled the tie after Eamonn Shields had bagged a couple for Limerick.
Offaly moved into the slenderest of leads following a Rowesome point, and threatened to steal the tie from their opponents. Dave Sims leveled the tie, only for Rowesome to bring the tie back into Offaly’s favor. Morgan Burns again leveled for Limerick, then a killer goal from Brendan Cagney followed by a Burns point and another late goal from Dave Sims clinched the tie for Limerick.
A late point from substitute James Mitchell proved to be little more than a consolatory effort for Offaly. Sean Guinan’s side deserve a lot of credit for this display, sadly they will not now make the playoffs, but they sure have impressed with some of their plucky displays. Points are given for victories though, not for bravery or determination. Limerick look a safe bet for glory this year.
Limerick: Finbarr Flood, John Riordan, Mike Crowley, Tom Canty, Tom Sims (0-1), Aidan O’Connor, James McSweeney, Eamonn Shields (0-2), Morgan Burns (1-3), Ken Hayes (0-1), Cathal Roche, Dave Sims (2-4), Brendan Cagney (1-1). Subs: Damian Hallassy, James O’Donnell.
Offaly: Paddy Donohoe, Dave Hyland, Jim Miller, Enda Condron, Sean Nolan, Pat Leavy, Sean Donohue, Colm Scanlon, Mike O’Brien (1-4), Mark Daffy, Dave Murray, Dave Reynolds (2-0), Morgan Rowesome (0-4). Subs: James Mitchell (0-2).