Shane O'Brien, Limerick, and Niall O'Connor, Antrim, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division One Group B
Limerick 1-36 Antrim 1-9
By Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium
Rampant Limerick had it all their own way in the Allianz National Hurling League opener at FBD Semple Stadium this afternoon posting a 27 point victory over Antrim, who simply had no answer to the All-Ireland champions.
Conditions were perfect for this game with the breeze blowing into the Town End which favoured Antrim in the first half. It was Limerick's second visit to FBD Semple Stadium in a week having played Tipperary in the Dillon Quirke tournament the previous Sunday in a pre-league workout. And, they added a few more regulars to their side for the clash with Antrim, while also featuring a number of fresh faces too.
It was their pilfering of nine points without reply before half time which helped Limerick to a 0-16 to 1-7 interval lead. Antrim struck seven wides and some of those were of the very poor variety.
The northerners started brightly and were 0-3 to 0-1 in front after five minutes - Conal Canning (2) and Aaron Bradley pointing to match one from David Reidy.
Adam English and Shane O'Brien had a brace apiece for Limerick to send them into the lead only to see Antrim hit back again with Niall O'Connor and Canning points to level it once more.
A Fred McCurry goal for Antrim in the 18th minute temporarily silenced the majority Limerick crowd, but they didn't have to wait long for the cheering to recommence with a procession of points from Donnacha O'Dalaigh (3), Adam English (5) and Cathal O'Neill sweeping Antrim into retreat and off of the field.
With the breeze to assist them in the second half, there was absolutely no doubting the outcome of this clash by the half way mark.
Between that period before half time and the third quarter, Limerick scored 1-18 to Antrim's solitary point. It was a complete whitewash and the goal in the second minute after resumption extended Limerick's advantage. Throw nine more points on top of that before Antrim had one illustrated Limerick's supremacy.
It finished up as a game of shooting practice for Limerick with the full forward line alone coming up with 1-18 from play - English contributed 0-10, Donnacha O'Dalaigh 0-7, and Shane O'Brien 1-6. They had 11 players on the scoresheet.
A chastening start to the league from Antrim, they will have to improve substantially if they are to be competitive. Limerick, on the other hand, are purring nicely and will meet Westmeath in their next outing in Mullingar on Sunday next.
Scorers for Limerick: Adam English 0-10 (4fs) Shane O'Brien 1-6, Donncha O'Dalaigh 0-7, Gearoid Hegarty 0-3, Cathal O'Neill 0-2, David Reidy 0-2, Micheal Houlihan 0-2, Graeme Mulcahy 0-2, Mark Quinlan 0-1, Patrick O'Donovan 0-1.
Scorers for Antrim: Fred McCurry 1-1, Conal Cunning 0-4 (4fs), Niall O'Connor, Scott Walsh, Aaron Bradley, Riann McMullan 0-1 each.
Limerick: Jamie Power, Fergal O'Connor, Dan Morrissey, Aaron Costello, Diarmuid Byrnes, David Reidy, Mark Quinlan, Barry Murphy, Colin Coughlan, Gearoid Hegarty, Cathal O'Neill, Conor Boylan, Donnacha O'Dalaigh, Shane O'Brien, Adam English.
Subs: Micheal Houlihan for Conor Boylan; Joe Fitzgerald for Barry Murphy; Ethan Hurley for Diarmuid Byrne; Graeme Mulcahy for Adam English; Emmet McEvoy for Fergal O'Connor.
Antrim: Tiernan Smyth, Phelim Murphy, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke, Scott Walsh, Ryan McGarry, Conor Boyd, Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Rian McMullan, Aodhan O'Brien, Aaron Bradley, Conal Cunning, Conor McCann, Fred McCurry.
Subs: Eoin Trainor for Stephen Rooney; Christy McCarry for Conor McCann; Joseph McLoughlin for Aaron Bradley; Ronan McAteer for Aodhan O'Brien; Niall McGarel for Rian McMullan.
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).