Sport

Limerick flyers find two new stars

Limerick cruised to a facile win at the Gaelic Grounds

Mon Feb 22 1999 - 00:00

Limerick cruised to a facile win at the Gaelic Grounds. However, the winners will take satisfaction from the fact that newcomers Brian Begley at full back and Brian Geary turned in star performances.

Backed by the near gale force wind in the first half, Limerick went in front inside a minute and they were five points clear before Alastair Elliott had Antrim's first point after 14 minutes.

With 27 minutes played, Limerick led by 0-10 to 0-2 and then came the game's crucial only goal.

Limerick worked the ball out of defence and several players were involved before Mike Galligan finally found a gap and his low shot beat Shane Elliott.

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Limerick, in front 1-10 to 0-2 at the break, cruised in the second half although Sean Kelly had the opening point for Antrim with a delightful sideline cut from 25 yards.

By the time Sean McMullen had Antrim's fourth point, Limerick led by 1-13 to 0-4 and when Kelly put over another great sideline cut at the three-quarter stage, the game was as good as over, with Limerick 1-17 to 0-5 clear.

Antrim opted to go for goals in the closing quarter; points might have narrowed the gap, but Limerick never looked like losing.

Limerick goalkeeper, Joe Quaid made a number of crucial saves and Begley and Geary together with Ciaran Carey shone in defence.

Up front Mike Galligan had a superb hour and contributed 1-7 to his side's total but Limerick's experiment of playing Mike Houlihan at full forward backfired. He was the only forward not to score.

LIMERICK: J Quaid; S McDonagh, B Begley, B Geary; D Nash, C Carey, M Foley; O Moran (0-1), B Tobin (0-1); J Moran (0-3), TJ Ryan (0-2), M Galligan (1-7); J Butler (0-1), M Houlihan, B Foley (0-4) Subs: C Smith for Nash (52 mins); D Clarke for Butler (54 mins); J Foley for M Foley (56 mins).

ANTRIM: S Elliott; Ciaran McCambridge, E McCloskey, R Donnelly; S McMulan (0-1), G O'Kane, S Mullan; J Connolly, J Carson; S Kelly (0-2), A Mort, J Flynn; J McIntosh, SP McKillop, A Elliott (0-2). Subs: Conor McCambridge (0-1) for Mort (22 mins); A Delargey for McIntosh (46 mins); A Rogan for Carson (51 mins).

Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny).