Division 4 Match Report

 

Limerick hold off late Sligo fightback to seal promotion

Limerick secured promotion at the second time of asking as they survived a late Sligo onslaught.

When Billy Lee’s charges went six points up in injury time, it looked as if Limerick would comfortably hold on for victory.

However, Sligo had other ideas, and four late scores made for a nervy finale to this game.

Limerick started the more lively of the two teams, with centre back Ian Corbett broke through the Sligo defence to fire over the first score of the game.

Sligo replied in kind through Sean Carrabine before the visitors fired over three scores without reply to leave three points between the sides at the first water break.

The Treaty men flew out of the blocks after the break with Peter Nash and Corbett slotting over before Bourke rattled the back of the net.

Sligo’s response came from Red Óg Murphy with a point from play and a free.

With the aid of a very strong breeze, Limerick hit back through McSweeney, Fahy and Cillian Ryan.

McSweeney received a black card just before the break, but despite this, Sligo could only muster a pointed free before the break as Limerick led by 1-9 to 0-4.

Murphy opened the second half scoring with a free for Sligo, but Limerick fired over a score of their own.

With Sligo struggling to penetrate the Limerick defence, Murphy added another free for the Yeats men before Limerick midfielder Darragh Treacy drove through middle to score.

O’Connor responded again from play for Sligo, but Bourke slotted over a free before Treacy added another.

Sligo then managed to score 1-3 to drag themselves back into the contest with Barry Gorman hit two fine scores in this period.

Full-forward Pat Hughes then rattled the back of the net for Sligo.

Limerick displayed their composure as Cian Sheehan extended Limerick lead before goalkeeper Donal O’Sullivan kicked two important frees to put six between the sides.

Despite Sligo’s late flurry of points, it was Limerick who held on as they will now be playing Division 3 football next year.

Limerick: 1. Donal Ó’Sullivan (Capt.) (0-2, 0-2frees), 2. Sean O’Dea, 3. Brian Fanning, 4. Paul Maher, 5. Tony McCarthy, 6. Iain Corbett (0-2), 7. Gordon Brown, 8. Darragh Treacy (0-2), 9. Tommy Griffin, 22.Peter Nash(0-1) , 11. Hugh Bourke (1-3 0-2 frees) , 21.Cillian Ryan (0-2), 13. Adrian Enright, 14. Cillian Fahy (0-1), 24. Sean McSweeney(0-2) Subs used: Micheal Donovan, Tommy Childs, Darren O’ Doherty, Cian Sheehan (0-1), Davy Lyons

Sligo: Eamonn Kilgannon; Nathan Mullen, Eddie McGuiness, Sean Murphy; Ryan Feehily, Paul McNamara, Darragh Cummins; Paddy O’ Connor (Capt.) (0-2, 0-1 free), Paul Kilcoyne; Mikey Gordon, Liam Gaughan, Seán Carrabine (0-4) 0-1free, 0-1 ‘45); Red Óg Murphy (0-4, 0-3 frees), Pat Hughes(1-1), Brian McGowan Subs used: Gerard O’ Kelly Lynch, Brian Cox,
Oisin Kennedy, David Quinn, Barry Gorman (0-3), Ryan Feehily

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/limerick-hold-off-late-sligo-fightback-to-seal-promotion/

Limerick vs Sligo Preview

 

Last chance saloon for promotion-chasing Limerick

After failing to gain promotion to Division 3 of the National Football League (NFL) last weekend Limerick have their final opportunity to make the step up when they play Sligo this Saturday in Markievicz Park (throw-in 2pm).

Despite the tight nature of this group, Limerick knows a win against Sligo ensures promotion while any other result means they need results to go their way.

Markievicz Park is never an easy place to go, especially when both sides are in with a chance of promotion.

The stakes could not be higher for Billy Lee’s side as Limerick alongside Wicklow and Wexford are all level on points at the top of the table with the latter two counties facing each other in the final round of games.

However, Limerick’s score difference of -2 is worse than Wexford (+19) and Wicklow (+36). Antrim on seven points along with Carlow and Sligo who are both on six points could mathematically earn promotion.

Billy Lee will be hoping that his team start this game much quicker than last weekend when they found themselves five points down inside 15 minutes.

The big question on Limerick’s fans lips is will the manager start Tommy Griffin, Sean McSweeney and Killian Ryan who made a significant impact off the bench against Wexford with Griffin scoring a goal three minutes after coming off the bench.

If Billy Lee picks the same 15 that started against Wexford, he will expect the forwards to make more of an impact on the scoreboard especially Seamus O’ Carroll who is playing senior club football with Castleknock in Dublin.

The Limerick full-back line needs to be ready for what this dangerous Sligo full-forward unit will throw at them.

In Sligo’s defeat to Carlow last weekend, their full-forward line of Red Óg Murphy, Liam Gaughan and Pat Hughes scored 1-10 between them.

If Limerick can stop a decent supply of possession coming to the Sligo inside line, they will have a strong chance of emerging victorious.

Limerick’s fate is in their own hands, and they should take enough lessons from last weekend’s defeat to seal a vital victory.

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/last-chance-saloon-for-promotion-chasing-limerick/