Allianz HL D1: Spoils shared in Salthill

Allianz Hurling League Division One Group B

Galway 0-17 Limerick 0-17

By Billy Coss at Pearse Stadium

Galway salvaged a draw thanks to two late Evan Niland frees, however it wasn't enough to extend their involvement in this season's Allianz Hurling League as 14-man Limerick advanced with an unbeaten record from Division One Group B.

Adam English's five points from play, plus five more from placed balls from sub Diarmaid Byrnes were the critical contributions as John Kiely's men played catch-up for long spells and lost Shane O'Brien to a straight red card late in the opening half.

Henry Shefflin’s side needed a win over the reigning champions to muscle their way into the qualification picture. And they look well in contention to achieve it despite the absence of suspended duo Conor Whelan and Daithí Burke, whose appeal proved unsuccessful midweek.

Cathal Mannion, in for his first start of the campaign, was their shining light in attack and struck four from play as well as setting up David Burke for another. Gavin Lee (two), Adrian Tuohey and Ronan Glennon accounted for the remainder along with a pair of Evan Niland frees as the Tribesmen built a 0-12 to 0-9 interval lead.

Limerick, who included Declan Hannon for his first action since last season's Munster final, relied mainly on Adam English's moments of inspiration. His four from play supplemented efforts from Tom Morrissey, Shane O'Brien, David Reidy and a pair of Aaron Gillane frees.

A surprisingly low-scoring third quarter produced a mere four points with two Byrnes placed balls from distance cancelling out Niland and Glennon scores at the other end. Limerick were also indebted to 'keeper Nickie Quaid for a flying save to deny Cathal Mannion.

It was 0-14 to 0-11 in Galway's favour before four unanswered scores from Limerick - courtesy of Byrnes, Tom Morrissey and English - nudged them 0-15 to 0-14 in front on 63 minutes.

Niland equalised once more, but with Byrnes maintaining his 100 per cent accuracy and sub Gearóid Hegarty firing over a rallying score, Limerick looked set to see it out until Galway's late surge yielded a pair of Niland frees and a share of the spoils.

Scorers for Galway: Evan Niland 0-6 (5fs), Cathal Mannion 0-4, Gavin Lee and Ronan Glennon 0-2 each, Padraic Mannion, Adrian Tuohey and David Burke 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Adam English and Diarmaid Byrnes (5fs) 0-5 each, Tom Morrissey and Aaron Gillane (2fs) 0-2 each, Shane O'Brien, David Reidy and Gearóid Hegarty 0-1 each.

Galway: Darach Fahy; Jack Grealish, Fintan Burke, Padraic Mannion; Adrian Tuohey, Cianan Fahy, Seán Linnane; Ronan Glennon, David Burke; Gavin Lee, Tom Monaghan, Joseph Cooney; Cathal Mannion, Conor Cooney, Evan Niland.

Subs: Brian Concannon for Lee (51), Jamie Ryan for Joseph Cooney (57), Darren Morrissey for Tuohey inj (62), Donal O'Shea for David Burke (68).

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Fergal O'Connor, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Cathal O'Neill, Declan Hannon (captain), Colin Coughlan; David Reidy, Barry Murphy; Shane O'Brien, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Séamus Flanagan, Adam English.

Subs: Diarmaid Byrnes for Coughlan inj (35+1), William O'Donoghue for Murphy (47), Peter Casey for Flanagan (47), Gearóid Hegarty for Gillane (58), Aaron Costello for O'Connor inj (62), Ronan Lyons for Mike Casey inj (68), Graeme Mulcahy for Reidy (68).

Referee: Thomas Walsh.