LIMERICK 2-18 DUBLIN 1-17
The dream of Dublin playing in their first All-Ireland SHC semi-final since 1948 ended at Semple Stadium, Thurles in this quarter-final on Sunday afternoon.The Shannonsiders showed their greater experience, physicality and will to win over the closing stages on to book their place in the last-four where they will face Tipperary.
Dublin were left to rue some unforced errors but can also feel hard done as their opponents converted a controversially awarded penalty in the 34th minute of the opening half which goalkeeper Brian Murray converted.
Dublin corner-back Niall Corcoran looked to have attempted a clean dispossession on Paul Brown several occasions but Wadding had other ideas and whistled for the penalty.
In the lead up to the goal Liam Rushe initially lost possession trying to lift the sliotar over a defender and afterwards Maurice OBrien cleared his lines but only to a Limerick player.
The Dubs had got the ideal start when Liam Rushe finished to the net from close range after a long free from Alan McCrabbe landed in the danger area and points from Dave Sweeney and a McCrabbe saw Dublin put 1-2 on the board inside the opening minutes.
However, as the half wore on Limerick full-forward Paudie McNamara was making his physical presence count on the edge of the square and he won possession before turning on goal and kicking to the net in the 15th minute.At half-time the sides were deadlocked 1-10 to 2-7 after Murray had grabbed the second goal for Limerick going into the break.
Early in the seconed half a McCrabbe free and Stephen Hiney point which keeper Murray blocked over saw the Dubs forge back in front.But with the game in the melting pot Limerick managed to bottle up the Dublin forwards while the deadball accuracy of Gavin OMahoney and Andrew OShaughnessy steered them home safely.
Despite this defeat the Dublin hiurlers can reflect on what has been a satisfactory year for them and their supporters. Their progress has been steady and no doubt the experience gained by them in reaching a first Leinster final in over sixteen years and losing narrowly to Limerick in the All-Ireland q-final will stand them in good stead as they look to the future.
Well done to Anthony Daly, his management team and his players for a terrific summer of Dublin hurling.
SCORERS – G OMahoney 0-8 (0-5f, 0-2 slines, 0-1 65), A OShaughnessy 0-5 (0-5f), J Ryan 0-4, P McNamara, B Murray (pen) 1-0 each, D Breen 0-1. Dublin: A McCrabbe 0-8 (0-7f, 0-1 sline), L Rushe 1-0, D OCallaghan 0-2, S Hiney, M Carton, R OCarroll, L Ryan, D Sweeney, D Treacy, S Durkin 0-1 each.
LIMERICK – B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, M ORiordan; S Hickey, B Geary, M Foley; D OGrady, G OMahoney; P Browne, J Ryan, W McNamara; D Breen, P McNamara, D O’Shaughnessy. Subs: O Moran for McNamara (31), J OBrien for Browne (47), D Ryan for OShaughnessy (72).
DUBLIN – G Maguire; N Corcoran, T Brady, M OBrien; S Hiney, J Boland, M Carton; J McCaffrey, A McCrabbe; R OCarroll, L Ryan, D Sweeney; D Treacy, D OCallaghan, L Rushe. Subs: S Durkin for McCaffrey (29), K Flynn for Ryan (49), P Carton for OCarroll (55), S Lambert for Sweeney (60).
