Limerick edged out by Wexford in Very Camogie League opener:
By Limerck Leader Reporter
THE Limerick senior camogie side suffered a 0-13 to 0-10 defeat to hosts Wexford in their Very Camogie League Division 1B opening round fixture played at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday afternoon.
Starting strongly, wind-assisted Limerick secured the opening point of the contest from the stick of Monaleen’s Caoimhe Lyons. The home side hit back with Ailis Neville and Anais Curran slotting over points to give them the lead.
Vice-Captain Orlaith Kelleher levelled up proceedings with a well taken score for Limerick, which was followed by Aine Reynolds, of Ahane, stepping over a free and slotting it straight between the uprights.
Both sides showed great tenacity and a seriously high work rate throughout.
As we hit the twenty-minute mark in an entertaining contest, Wexford had gone back in front, 0-5 to 0-4, thanks to points from Kate Kirwan, Linda Bolger and Anais Curran.
Limerick goalkeeper Claire Keating added her name to the score sheet as she pointed two long range frees, as well as clearing her lines on several occasions.
Cliodhna Ryan at corner forward scored a point from a very tight angle and brought the game back level at 0-7 each again before Mag Byrne and Anais Curran helped Wexford into a two-point interval lead, 0-9 to 0-7.
Wexford had the aid of a strong breeze in the second half and took advantage of this as they scored first, and again it was from their trusted number nine Anais Curran.
Limerick’s Caoimhe Lyons took on a shot at goal, but it was just off target. Aine Reynolds popped another free over the bar for Limerick while Linda Bolger did the scoring down the other end as Wexford led 0-12 to 0-8 after 45 minutes.
Cliodhna Ryan reduced the gap back to three points with fifteen minutes left to play, but unfortunately for Limerick they just could not make up the three-point deficit and ran out of time in the end.
Overall, this was a spirited display from Limerick, who can take a lot of positives out of the game.
SCORERS: Limerick: A. Reynolds (0-3f), C. Lyons (0-2), C. Keating (0-2f), C. Ryan (0-2), O. Kelleher (0-1). Wexford: A. Curran (0-6 (0-4f)), L. Bolger (0-3), A. Neville (0-1), K. Kirwan (0-1), M. Byrne (0-1), A. Lacey (0-1)
LIMERICK: C. Keating, T. Dore, M. Creamer, S. Woulfe, A. Nelligan, M. Quaid, E. O’Halloran, M. Ryan, N. Lenihan, C. Lyons, O. Kelleher, L. Boylan, S. O’Brien, A. Reynolds, C. Ryan. SUBS: C. O’Riordan for L. Boylan (second half), A. Tiarnaigh for A. Nelligan (second half), E. Kennedy for S. Woulfe (second half), E. Madigan for C. Ryan (second half), L. McCarthy for Noirin Lenihan (second half).
WEXFORD: L. Brennan, M. O’Dowd, E. Walsh, L. Dempsey, A. Dunne, C. Storey, R. Cooney, L. Bolger, A. Curran, K. Kirwan, C. O’Connor, C. Cashe, A. Neville, A. Lacey, M. Byrne. L. Walsh for A. Neville (second half), M. Sinnott for K. Kirwan (second half)