David Reidy on fire as Dromin Athlacca make winning return to Senior ranks

Limerick star David Reidy cutting through the South Liberties midfield to add to his tally of 1-14 with Eoghan Godfrey trying to chase him down. Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson. 

Limerick SHC: Dromin-Athlacca 2-23 South Liberties 3-13

Limerick star David Reidy contributed 1-14 as Dromin Athlacca returned to the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship with a comfortable victory over South Liberties.

The athletic, all-action forward was simply everywhere for his side, indeed, a brace of wayward frees were arguably all Reidy was off target with in a high-tempo game. It was far from a one man showing, with the captain setting the example for many others to follow. Daniel and Cian Scully also chipped in with scores while Peter McMahon’s goal midway through the second half meant a first senior game since 2008 was a memorable one for the south Limerick club.

South Liberties were able to call upon Anthony Nash in goal while familiar names Barry Nash and Tom Ryan led the charge out the field. However, having roused themselves in the final round to stave off relegation last season, this result, and the manner of it, represents a huge blow to one of Limerick’s oldest and most storied clubs.

The Souths were quick off the mark with Barry Nash clipping over a brace of frees inside ninety seconds. His inter-county teammate Reidy was quick to reply and his brace levelled the game for the first of four times in the opening half.

Cian Scully began to get on top at centre-half back for the winners and once he fires over after eight minutes, there was momentum in the blue sails. However, a deflected goal from Shane O’Neill gave Liberties belief, which was further extended when Tom Ryan pointed.

However, the second quarter was dominated by Mark Moynihan’s side. A run of 0-10 to 0-5 from Ryan’s point to the interval, as well as bringing their wide tally to eight put them in charge.

Daniel Scully simply couldn’t miss. He hit five shots from five in just over 10 minutes as the sun began to set on a beautiful evening in Kilmallock. 0-14 to 1-8 at half-time was a fair reflection.

If Dromin Athlacca dominated before the break, the simply took over after it. The first 1-8 for Dromin came from the stick of Reidy, whose goal 30 seconds after the restart was a hammer blow to the more established Souths. An accurate bullet to the net gave Nash no chance and from here there was only one winner.

The margin was out to 13 points by the time Peter McMahon finished their second goal on 53 minutes – collecting a Jack Fitzgibbon pass and finding the net. Now trailing 2-22 to 1-13, Liberties had no choice but to hunt goals.

They got two in stoppage time – substitute Brain Garry with the first before O’Neill grabbed his second off a Nash handpass. Nash was making a return to competitive action having missed the All-Ireland semi-final loss to Cork last month.

Scorers for Dromin-Athlacca: D Reidy 1-14 (0-12 frees); D Scully 0-5; P McMahon 1-0; C Scully 0-2; J Fitzgibbon 0-1; M Reidy 0-1.

Scorers for South Liberties: B Nash 0-9 (0-8 frees); S O’Neill 2-0; T Ryan 0-3; B Garry 1-0; S Brosnan 0-1; E Godfrey 0-1.

DROMIN-ATHLACCA: J Kelleher; S Fitzgibbon, W Dore, S Scully; P Ryan, C Scully, S Rabbite; P O’Donoghue, D Reidy (C); D Scully, J Fitzgibbon, P McMahon; M Reidy, S O’Leary, D Breen.

Subs: S Power for Ryan (57).

SOUTH LIBERTIES: A Nash; M O’Brien, E Quilty, A Keys; D Garry, J Hickey, K Byrnes; E Godfrey, S Kilcoyne; S Brosnan, S O’Neill, B Nash; B Crompton, J Hegarty, T Ryan.

Subs: B Garry for Hegarty (36); P O’Donnell for Kilcoyne (42).

Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola).