Gaelic Games

Wexford edge tit for tat qualifier with Limerick

The teams were level on 11 occassions with the hosts spurning two late frees

Wexford defender Brian Malone on the move. Photograph: Inpho
Wexford defender Brian Malone on the move. Photograph: Inpho
Sat Jun 24 2017 - 20:02

Limerick 0-11 Wexford 0-12

Limerick missed two late frees to earn either a win, or force extra time, in Saturday's All Ireland qualifier at the Gaelic Grounds.

The sides were level on 11 occasions , including at half time.

Limerick had the aid of the wind in the first half but it took eleven minutes before the home side had the opening point from Seamus O'Carroll. That was the only time the home side led but the scoring ability of Ciaran Lyng and PJ Banville ensured that Wexford were always that shade more likely to win.

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Both sides missed great goal chances in the first half with Adrian Flynn having to settle for a point after a brilliant save by Limerick goalkeeper Donal O'Sullivan as the Wexford man let fly from only a few metres from goal.

Limerick captain Iain Corbett saw his penalty kick go over off the crossbar four minutes before the break, at which they were tied at 0-7 each.

Limerick had another goal chance that fell to Darragh Tracey, but his effort went inches wide. Wexford goalkeeper Shane Roche also brought off a spectacular save in the second half from Josh Ryan.

They were level again after 65 minutes and when Banville pointed a free two minutes from the end of normal time it proved sufficient for Wexford’s progression to round two of the qualifiers.

In a hectic finish Jamie Lee missed two difficult frees from either side, and Peter Nash also had a wide.

Limerick managed only four points in the second send half, two of them frees.

Limerick: D O'Sullivan; G Noonan, J McCarthy, S O'Dea; P White, I Corbett 0-2 (0-1pen), B Fanning; D Treacy 0-3, D Ward; P Nash, J Naughton, D Neville; S O'Carroll 0-3 (1f 1 '45'), J Ryan 0-1, S Collins 0-1 (f). Subs, S Mcsweeney 0-1 (f) for Ward (27), J Lee for McSweeney (50), P Scanlon for Collins (55), S Buckley for O'carroll (64), I Ryan for Naughton (68).

Wexford: S Roche; M Furlong 0-2, N Rossiter, J Rossiter; A Flynn 0-1, J Wadding, B Malone; D Waters, E Nolan; K O'Grady, C Lynch 0-4 (3f), B Brosnan, PJ Bonville 0-4 (2f). Subs J Tubritt 0-1 for O'Grady (46), P Curtis for Brosnan (55), J Finnan for Flynn (62).

Referee: P O’Sullivan, Kerry.