Limerick have reached the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup for the first time following a 4-21 to 2-19 victory over Wexford at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
Two goals apiece for captain Cillian Fahy and Danny Neville sent Limerick on their way with star forward James Naughton chipping in with nine points in an impressive outing for the Treatymen.
Sean Nolan fired over 1-07 for John Hegarty's Wexford charges that started the game with the opening five points.
Jack Higgins kicked the opening score and followed up with a two pointer. Nolan and Pairic Hughes also hit the target before Limerick got going.
Darragh O’Hagan got them on the board with Naughton and Neville making it a two-point gap with 11 minutes on the clock.
Naughton and Paul Maher soon squared the game up for the first time before Fahy fired the opening goal after good work from Neville.
Limerick added a second on 21 minutes with Darren O’Doherty and Mark McCarthy combining to set up Neville for a goal that saw Jimmy Lee’s men 2-06 to 0-07 in front.
Fahy was at it again five minutes later after Emmet Rigter and Nash bamboozled the Wexford defence and the Limerick captain flashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
However, Wexford fought back in the remaining minutes of the half and it was Nolan to the fore. He kicked 1-05 to draw his side level at half time. The score at 3-08 to 1-14.
Limerick had the advantage of a strong gale in the second half and made immediate use of it thanks to a two-point free scored by Naughton.
Naughton and Nolan traded blows but Limerick continued to dominate and kept the scoreboard ticking over with Mark McCarthy the latest to hit the target.
Mark Rossiter did give Wexford hope of a comeback on 47 minutes with a well-taken goal but Neville’s response soon after brought those hopes to an immediate stop.
Rigter, Naughton, Bob Childs all hit the target as the game opened up as Wexford went on the goal hunt but it was Limerick that cruised home to a an eight-point winning margin.
Limerick: Josh Ryan (0-02, 1tp); Jason Hassett, Darren O’Doherty, Mark McCarthy (0-01); Paul Maher (0-02), Iain Corbett, Tony McCarthy; Tommie Childs, Darragh O’Hagan (0-01); James Naughton (0-09, 3f, 1tpf), Emmett Rigter (0-03), Cillian Fahy (2-00); Peter Nash, Danny Neville (2-02), Killian Ryan.
Subs: Tadgh Ó Siochrú for McCarthy (1, inj), Rob Childs (0-01) for O’Hagan (50), Darragh Murray for T Childs (60), Rory O’Brien for Neville (60), Conall Ó Duinn for Ó Siochrú (66), Andrew Meade for Maher (68).
Wexford: Darragh Brooks; Michael Furlong, Gavin Sheehan, Dylan Furlong; Eoin Porter (0-01), Glen Malone, Páiric Hughes (0-01); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-04, 2tp); Jack Higgins (0-03, 1tp), Michael Kinsella, Mark Rossiter (1-03, 1tp); Robbie Brooks, Ben Brosnan, Seán Nolan (1-07, 2f, 2tp).
Subs: Seán Ryan for R Brooks (h-t), Kevin O’Grady for Brosnan (h-t), Ruairí Martin for Kinsella (60), Cathal Walsh for D Furlong (60), Cathal Kehoe for Malone (64).
Referee: B Griffin (Kerry).
