Sport

Sheehan saves best for last as Limerick rejoice

Limerick - 1-13 Wexford 1-12 Manager Pad Joe Whelehan had a special hug for Donnacha Sheehan at the end of this tame encounter…

Mon Mar 22 2004 - 00:00

Limerick - 1-13 Wexford 1-12 Manager Pad Joe Whelehan had a special hug for Donnacha Sheehan at the end of this tame encounter at the Gaelic Grounds.

Sheehan struggled for all of 68 minutes, and with Limerick on the brink of failing to make the cut offs, having led 1-10 to 0-5 at the break, he rediscovered his form to deliver two rapid-fire, match-winning points.

It was a close call, though, with a rejuvenated Wexford, backed by the elements, having put them back in their box on the change of ends. They were in danger of writing themselves out of the script by failing to score for 20 minutes. But Sheehan kept the best wine till last by rescuing his side at the finish.

While he took most of the plaudits, it was teenager Andrew O'Shaughnessy who had given his side the advantage with a scoring spree of 1-5.

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O'Shaughnessy started the ball rolling, and soon followed up with a second point. Wexford lifted their efforts and points from Rory Jacob, Paul Codd and Michael Jacob turned it in their favour.

Paul O'Grady and O'Shaughnessy put them back in their place. O'Shaughnessy fired past goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry, from a 21-yard free, to give his side more breathing space, at 1-4 to 0-3. Paul Codd threw Wexford a lifeline, but Limerick looked to O'Shaughnessy, Donie Ryan and Michael McKenna to send them in 1-10 to 0-5 in front.

Wexford were a transformed team on the change of ends. Points from Paul Carley, Michael Jordon and Rory Jacob had them in the frame of mind to perform an escape act.

It was backs to the wall for Limerick who looked for leadership.

The comeback continued with a brace of long-range points from Rory Stafford, and suddenly Wexford were back in the driving seat. With 15 minutes left, the ball was very much in their court.

O'Shaughnessy eased the pain for Limerick with their first point of the half, on 58 minutes, before Donnacha Sheehan, from a breakaway, gave them the initiative at 1-12 to 1-11.

The next seven minutes were scoreless and when Paul Codd pointed a free to level, a share of the honours looked the most likely outcome.

With time almost up, Mark Foley landed the ball into the hands of Sheehan, and he delivered the crucial score.

LIMERICK: A Shanahan; M Cahill, TJ Ryan, B Carroll; D Reale, P Sheehan, M Foley; J O'Brien, P Tobin; P O'Grady (0-1), JP Sheehan, M McKenna (0-1); A O'Shaughnessy (1-6), D Ryan (0-2), D Sheehan (0-3). Subs: O Moran for McKenna (25 mins); S O'Connor for O'Brien (35); D Russell for O'Grady (70).

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; D O'Connor, D Ryan, M Travers; C Kehoe, W Doran, R McCarthy; R Stafford (0-2), J O'Connor; P Carley (0-2), P Codd (0-3), M Jacob (0-1); M Jordan (0-1), L Murphy, R Jacob (1-3). Subs: D Berry for Murphy (40 mins); B Goff for O'Connor (68).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)