A devastating performance from corner-forwards Ian Ryan and Ger Collins was the key factor behind Limerick’s progression to the All-Ireland Football Qualifiers Phase III in the Gaelic Grounds today.
Despite Limerick electing to play with an extra defender in the shape of Stephen Lavin, who notionally lined out at centre-forward, this was an open and entertaining game of football, with both sides attacking at pace and creating plenty of scoring chances.
Limerick’s greater threat in close to goal proved the difference as Ryan and Collins combined to score an incredible 2-9 from play, aided by some excellent delivery from out the field.
Offaly enjoyed the lion’s share of primary possession but really struggled to get good early ball into their danger men with Lavin sweeping up several loose deliveries.
Limerick’s use of the ball when in possession was outstanding as they only turned over possession to Offaly 13 times during the match, ensuring that they never conceded any breakaway scores.
An early lead was vital to this strategy and they got that after a devastating three minute spell, starting in the 13th minute with Ian Ryan’s goal. Ryan received the ball deep in the left corner of the Limerick attack and he outpaced Offaly corner back Seán Pender on his way through to goal. Cutting in along the end line he lost control of the ball in the tackle, but was able to fly hack the ball over Alan Mulhall’s left shoulder and into the top corner of the net.
Ger Collins struck almost immediately for Limerick’s second point to push the home side three points in front, a lead that was doubled in the 16th minute when Collins won the ball out on the right wing and played an immaculate pass across goal into the path of wing forward Seamus O’Carroll. O’Carroll’s finish was just as exquisite, slipping the ball under Mulhall while advancing on goal.
Further points from Ian Ryan pushed Limerick eight in front before Offaly took control of the second quarter, hitting six of the seven points in that spell.
As has been so often the case in Offaly football matches, Tubber’s Ciarán McManus was to the fore and his accuracy from long range frees was in stark contrast to the profligacy being displayed by the rest of the forward line, most notably Niall Darby and Niall McNamee, who accounted for six first half wides between them.
Four McManus frees, interrupted by another score from Ryan and a well taken snap shot from Bernard Allen slowly dragged Offaly back into this contest, reducing the lead to three, 2-5 to 0-8, by half time.
The sight of 25 players in the Limerick half of the field and only five in the Offaly sector was common through the second 35 minutes, but crucially Limerick always had a lead to defend.
Midway through the second half Offaly trailed by two, 2-9 to 0-13, but a brace of scores from midfielder Tom Lee and Stephen Kelly settled the home side.
Offaly responded with another long range effort from McManus, but the game turned with seven minutes to go when a mistake in the Offaly backline led to Ger Collins scoring the game’s crucial third goal.
Stephen Kelly, operating as a withdrawn full-forward, was crucial as he dispossessed Offaly corner back Sean Pender who was coming out with the ball. That tackle left Collins, who was being marked by Pender, free in front of goal and Kelly’s pass left the Monaleen forward with only the keeper to beat. Alan Mulhall got a touch on Collins’ low shot but it still crept into the net, sealing Offaly’s fate and sending Limerick into tomorrow night’s third round draw.
Limerick: Brian Scanlon; Tommy Stack, Shane Gallagher, Johnny McCarthy; Mike Sheehan, John Riordan, Pa Ranahan; Seánie Buckley, Thomas Lee (0-01); John Mullane, Stephen Lavin, Seamus O’Carroll (1-00); Ger Collins (1-02), Stephen Kelly (0-02, frees), Ian Ryan (1-07).
Subs: Barry Fitzpatrick for John Mullane, Eoghan O’Connor (0-01) for Shane Gallagher, Eoghan Hogan for Seamus O’Carroll, Mike McCormack for John Riordan
Offaly: Alan Mulhall; Brian Darby (0-01), Joe Quinn, Sean Pender; Stephen Lonergan, Scott Brady, Niall Darby (0-01); Richie Dalton, Niall Smith; Ciaran McManus (0-07, frees), Ross Brady, Karol Slattery; Bernard Allen (0-01), Ken Casey (0-02), Niall McNamee (0-02).
Subs: Padraig Bracken (0-01) for Karol Slattery, Nigel Dunne for Niall Darby, David Egan for Bernard Allen, Stephen Lonergan for Niall Spain, Sean Ryan for Ross Brady
Referee: Maurice Condon (Waterford)
