Limerick end year-long wait for victory as Offaly slump again

Limerick's Emmet Rigter Pic ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Tailteann Cup: Limerick 2-10 Offaly 0-8 

Some 364 days since their last taste of victory, Limerick finally got their maiden win under Jimmy Lee, as they powered past Offaly in the second half.

Two goals from rising star Emmet Rigter were crucial in this Tailteann Cup Group 4 clash, played at a dry Mick Neville Park. It piles the pressure on Faithful boss Declan Kelly, following last week's drubbing at home to London.

Limerick had failed to win a League or Championship outing since beating Carlow in the same round of last year's competition. A run of seven league, two championship, as well as two McGrath Cup games under Lee, as well as two defeats in 2023, meant this was a weight off the Limerick players' shoulders.

Rigter, who lined out and found a goal for the U20s last week in their All-Ireland ‘B’ semi-final, was brought straight back into the side, and his goals ensured daylight before full-time. Offaly, who looked sharp early on, ended with nine wides as well as managing just three second-half points. Their Tailteann Cup hopes were dashed far too easily.

Level at half-time, 0-5 apiece, both sides played very defensively, perhaps understandably, after their respective heavy defeats last weekend. Offaly found the first two scores through Nigel Dunne and Peter Cunningham, but Cathal Downes and Barry Coleman stamped their mark on two fine displays to level.

It was score for score here on with Jack Bryant brilliantly levelling the sides up after Peter Nash’s second tap-over free.

The Treaty made their possession and territory count, with a run of 1-3 to just a point putting them firmly ahead. The goal, after a mark called by Cathal Downes was taken quickly, saw them cut the ball back to Rigter who showed composure to bury the ball to the net.

Offaly had to throw the kitchen sink at Limerick, but they didn’t. Failing to really hurt a compact home defence, they were hit for a second goal on the 67th minute. Rigter palmed home an Iain Corbett pass to seal the victory.

Limerick now face London, most likely in a Dublin venue, while Offaly will meet Down in their final group clash.

Scorers for Limerick: E Rigter 2-0; C Downes 0-3 (0-1 mark); P Nash 0-2 (0-2 frees); B Coleman 0-2; J Naughton 0-1; R Childs 0-1; D O’Doherty 0-1.

Scorers for Offaly: N Dunne 0-3 (0-1 free); R McNamee 0-2; P Cunningham 0-1; J Bryant 0-1; E Carroll (mark) 0-1.

LIMERICK: J Ryan; T McCarthy, S O’Dea, P Maher; B Coleman, C Fahy, C Woulfe; T Childs, E Rigter; T Griffin, J Naughton, C Downes; B Ahern, R Childs, P Nash.

Subs: R O’Connor for Fahy (25-35, blood); I Corbett for T Childs (53); D Neville for B Ahern (56); B Nix for Nash (63); D O’Doherty for Woulfe (64); A Meade for Naughton (68); S Costello for Neville (72-74 blood).

OFFALY: I Duffy; L Pearson (C), D Dempsey, J Furlong; C Egan, P Cunningham, J O’Brien; E Carroll, D Hogan; D Hyland, R McNamee, J Hayes; N Dunne, K O’Neill, J Bryant.

Subs: A Sullivan for Hyland (50); C Flynn for Hyland (51); C Farrell for Dunne (60); K McDermott for Hayes (64).

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)