Limerick 0-21 Offaly 1-21
Offaly caused a big upset when beating Allianz Hurling League Division 1B joint-leaders Limerick 1-21 to 0-21 at the Gaelic Grounds.
Despite having Shane Dowling sent-off in the second minute, Limerick built a 0-12 to 1-07 half-time lead with Emmet Nolan netting for the visitors and Shane Dooley hitting six points.
Free-taker Dooley finished up with 0-10, starring during a crucial six-point run for the Faithfuls, while Seanie Tobin top-scored for Limerick with 0-09 (0-06f).
The game had a dramatic start when Limerick's free-taker Dowling was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident which an umpire drew to the attention of referee Sean Cleere.
The 14-man Shannonsiders quickly knuckled down, hitting four points without reply - three of them from corner forward Tobin who was making his first start of the year and who took over the free-taking role.
Two frees and a '65' from the sharpshooting Dooley had Offaly up and running but James Ryan made it 0-05 to 0-03 for the home side.
Only a point separated them after 27 minutes when Nolan hit a cracker of a goal for Offaly after taking a pass from substitute Joe Bergin. Another Dooley free tied it up at 1-05 to 0-08.
Limerick finished the first half the stronger with points from Donal O'Grady, Cian Lynch, Tobin (free) and a superb strike from 60 yards by Paul Browne, leaving Offaly two behind at the break.
Nolan and Dooley had the first two points on the resumption and after 52 minutes TJ Ryan's hosts still led by 0-18 to 1-12. However, scores from Stephen Quirke, Dermot Mooney (0-02), Dan Currams and Dooley put Offaly three points clear (1-18 to 0-18) as inconsistent Limerick went fourteen minutes without a score.
Seanie O'Brien, David Reidy (free) and Browne notched late Limerick points but a well-struck effort from Bergin ensured that Offaly had enough of a cushion that meant Limerick needed a goal to get back and it never looked like happening.
Last season Limerick were denied promotion in the Allianz League when they could only manage a draw against Offaly, and this latest result is likely to prove costly for a Limerick side missing their Kilmallock contingent plus a few injuiries.
It was Limerick's first defeat of the year and the early dismissal of Dowling finally told as Dooley sparked a welcome victory for Brian Whelahan's Offaly side.
"We are a work in progress and I'm delighted for the lads who are working really hard," he said of tonight's success. He added that he did not see the incident for which Dowling was sent off.
Limerick: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, S Hickey; C Allis, D Hannon (0-01, 0-01f), D Morrissey; J Ryan (0-01), P Browne (0-04); D Breen (0-01), D O'Grady (0-02), C Lynch (0-01); J Fitzgibbon, S Dowling, S Tobin (0-09, 0-06f).
Subs used: S O'Brien (0-01) for Hickey (46 mins), D Reidy (0-01, 0-01f) for Fitzgibbon (48), A Breen for O'Grady (66), T Morrissey for Tobin (68).
Offaly: J Dempsey; S Wynne, D Shortt, D King; C Parlon, E Murphy, C Egan; E Nolan (1-02), S Ryan; J Mulrooney, D Currams (0-01), S Cleary; S Kinsella (0-01), S Dooley (0-10, 0-06f, 0-01 '65'), B Carroll.
Subs used: J Bergin (0-03) for Mulrooney (24 mins), S Quirke (0-02) for Carroll (32), D Mooney (0-02) for Egan (48), K Kiely for Clery (64).
Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)
