LIMERICK’S interest in the Munster Club Football Championships was dashed at the weekend, as Mungret St Paul’s, Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan (ABK), and Ahane all suffered defeats.
By virtue of Jimmy Lee’s team qualification for the Tailteann Cup final, Limerick teams were all afforded byes into the semi-final of their respective competitions.
First-time senior champions Mungret were restricted to just two points (Tom Llyod and Luke Walsh) in a heavy loss to serious provincial and All-Ireland title contenders Dingle at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.
Conor Geaney was among the stars for the Kerry kingpins, grabbing a superb 2-2.
The visitors were minus the services of some key performers from the famous county final win over Newcastle West.
Dingle will meet St Finbarr’s (Cork) in the final.
In the Intermediate Championship, a brave effort from ABK came up just short, 0-14 to 0-10, against Aghabullogue at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The lively affair was level (10 points apiece) entering the closing stages, but in the run-in a two-pointer from top scorer Matthew Bradley proved decisive for the Cork flagbearers, who the previous weekend completed a county double with victory in the Intermediate hurling championship.
Aghabullogue’s starting selection featured seven dual players at the weekend.
The tenacity of the ABK defence was noteworthy, while the main scores came from Joey Rushe and Danny Neville.
In the Junior Championship, Ahane gave Buttevant (Cork) a serious test in Kildorrery, and the final scoreline of 2-15 to 0-11 gives scant justice to the peformance of the Shannonside representatives.
The tie was in the melting pot late on, but a black card issued to an Ahane player changed its momentum.
Liam Óg Glynn and Dónal Dawson, with the only two-pointer of the afternoon, landed neat scores for the Limerick outfit.
In Junior B, Killeedy (hurling) and Knocaderry (football) both host tournaments, and our respective entries are Ballybrown and Knockainey.
This Saturday (12 noon), Ballybrown run up against Ballyduff (Waterford) in the opening round in Raheenagh.