WITHOUT ever setting the world alight, Limerick accounted for London (0-25 to 1-15) in the opening round of the Tailteann Cup – second-tier All-Ireland Senior Football Championship – in front of a decent attendance on a pristine surface at Newcastle West.
The home side fell behind by a couple of points in the early stages but then raced into a massive nine-point lead through some big scores from Darragh O’Hagan and Emmet Rigter.
A goal from Ruairí Rafferty, however, helped cut the deficit to just two points at the interval, 0-14 to 1-9.
Limerick held their dogged opponents at bay in the closing period, during which neat two-pointers were delivered by Barry Coleman, Iain Corbett and goalkeeper Josh Ryan, who also produced some fine stops in the contest.
Next up for Jimmy Lee’s side is a trip to Antrim at the weekend.
Rigter, who was forced off through a leg injury with a quarter of-an hour left, is a doubtful starter up north.
Limerick: Josh Ryan 0-2 (Oola); Jason Hassett (Mungret St Paul’s), Darren O’Doherty (Newcastle West), Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins); Mark McCarthy (Fr Casey’s), Iain Corbett 0-3 (Newcastle West), Tadhg Ó Siochrú (Monaleen); Tommie Childs 0-1 (Galtee Gaels), Darragh O’Hagan 0-3 (Mungret St Paul’s); Paul Maher (Adare), Emmet Rigter 0-4 (Newcastle West), Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher Broadford); Danny Neville 0-2 Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), James Naughton 0-4 (St Senan’s), Peter Nash 0-3 (Kildimo-Pallaskenry).
Substitutes: Barry Coleman 0-2 (Rathkeale), Darragh Murray (Monaleen), Robbie Childs, Rory O’Brien 0-1 (Fr Casey’s), Killian Ryan (Mungret St Paul’s).
