Limerick performance leaves lot to be desired

Limerick 3-21 Antrim 2-12

Although they won comfortably, they failed to hit the high notes against an unimpressive Antrim side in what can be best described as a sub-standard Allianz National League contest.

Antrim drew first blood with a point from wing-back Ciaran Herron straight from the throw-in and held their own in the first quarter when the sides were level on three occasions.

However, even at this early stage in the lacklustre proceedings, it was glaringly obvious that the Northerners lacked the necessary skill to make a major impact, even though Limerick were struggling to find their rhythm.

Once their half-back line of Paudie O’Dwyer, team captain Ollie Moran and David Breen took control, Limerick succeeded in upping the tempo and they were four points in front before full-forward Seán O’Connor pounced for their first goal in the 23rd minute.

O’Connor tapped home his second 10 minutes later and but for two superlative saves by goalkeeper Damien Quinn, who denied Andrew O’Shaughnessy and O’Connor in daredevil fashion, Limerick’s interval lead of 2-11 to 0-8 would have assumed much greater proportion.

Limerick failed disconcertingly to sustain their momentum after the break and allowed Antrim to express themselves more freely and with the home side taking their foot off the accelerator, the visitors took full advantage. Antrim’s brief revival was sparked by a goal from wing forward Karl McKeegan, who soloed through before finding the net in the 44th minute. And they really threw the cat among the pigeons when full-forward Johnny McIntosh swooped to score a second seven minutes later.

A fine score from substitute Karl Stewart left just two points between the sides entering the closing quarter, but, once again, Limerick awoke from their slumbers and proceeded to ruthlessly crush Antrim’s hopes of a surprise result. Now playing with a far greater degree of efficiency, Limerick opened up daylight between the sides with a succession of points before wing-forward Alan O’Connor ended the game as a meaningful contest with his side’s third goal in the 60th minute.

O’Connor, with a final total of 1-7, was Limerick’s most influential player as they coasted home in the end. But the Shannonsiders’ overall performance against an Antrim side that was thrashed by Tipperary to the tune of 29 points the previous week, left a lot to be desired.

Scorers: Limerick: - S. O’Connor 2-1, A. O’Connor 1-7 (0-4 frees), N. Moran 0-3, P. O’Grady, K. O’Dwyer, D. O’Grady 0-2 each, D. Breen, A. O’Shaughnessy, D. Ryan 0-1 each.

Antrim: K. McKeegan 1-2, J. McIntosh 1-1, M. Herron 0-3 (0-2 frees), C. Herron 0-2 (0-1 65), B. McFall, P. Richmond, B. Quinn 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: T. Houlihan; D. Reale, B. Geary, M. Cahill; P. O’Dwyer, O. Moran, D. Breen; P. O’Grady, D. O’Grady; A. O’Connor, J. O’Brien, N. Moran; A. O’Shaughnessy, S. O’Connor, K. O’Dwyer. Subs: M. Foley for Reale (yellow card), D. Ryan for N. Moran (yellow card), G. Heagney for Breen (yellow card).

ANTRIM: D. Quinn; M. Kettle, K. Kelly, A. Ó Cairealláin; M. McCambridge, J. Campbell, C. Herron; M. Scullion, G. Cunningham; K. McKeegan, P. Richmond, J. McIntosh; P. Close, M. Herron, B. McFall. Subs: K. Stewart for McFall, B. Quinn for Close (yellow card), B. Herron for Richmond, M. Hamilton for Kettle (yellow card).

Referee: J. McGrath (Westmeath).