Sport

Limerick a class apart

Struggling Dublin proved no match for impressive Limerick in a one-sided encounter at Parnell Park yesterday

Mon Apr 16 2001 - 01:00

Struggling Dublin proved no match for impressive Limerick in a one-sided encounter at Parnell Park yesterday. Victory over Antrim in Belfast the previous week had given Kevin Fennelly's charges a badly needed confidence boost but yesterday they faced a step up in class against a fit and eager Limerick.

By the interval the writing was already on the wall for Dublin as they trailed by 1-5 to 1-16. With the fresh wind at their backs Limerick swarmed all over Metropolitans during the opening period and they were full value for their whopping 11point interval lead.

The visitors had only three wides in the opening 35 minutes as they in-form forward line found the target from variety of distances and angles with their goal coming from Barry Foley.

Early points in the opening minutes from Foley, James Butler, Mark Keane and Brian Begley set the agenda for what was to follow. Dublin responded with an opportunist goal against the run of play after five minutes from David Donnelly who batted home from Stephen McDonald's delivery.

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Dublin battled spiritedly throughout the second half after early points from Shane Martin and David Sweeney signalled their resolve. However, Limerick always looked capable of responding when necessary and Keane Begley and Foley scored the unanswered points, which set the tone for a predictable second-half.

John Cullen, Shane Perkins and impressive centre-half forward Liam Ryan led Dublin's stout resistance while Damian Russell fired home their second goal, an opportunist 20 yard effort after 43 minutes.

But Limerick had already completed the hard work.

DUBLIN: D Maguire; A de Paor, J Cullen, D Spain; C Meehan, S Perkins, D Denham; S Martin (0-1), D Sweeney (0-1); S McDonald, L Ryan (0-1), D Russell (1-1); T McGrane, (0-6, 3 frees, 65), D Henry, D Donnelly (1-0). Subs: E Carroll (0-1) for McDonald, D de Paor for Henry.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; S McDonagh, T J Ryan, D Reale; J Foley (0-1), M Foley (0-2, 65, free), C Smith; M O'Brien, J Moran; D Stapleton, O Moran (0-2), M Keane (0-10, 7 frees); J Butler (0-2), B Begley (0-5), B Foley (1-2). Subs: S O'Connor for O'Brien, O O'Neill for Stapleton.

Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)