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Allianz HL D1: Limerick too strong for Westmeath

Brian Ryan, Limerick, and Liam Varley, Westmeath, in Allianz Hurling League action at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Brian Ryan, Limerick, and Liam Varley, Westmeath, in Allianz Hurling League action at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Allianz Hurling League Division One Group A

LIMERICK 1-24 WESTMEATH 0-18

By Daragh Small at the LIT Gaelic Grounds

Limerick wanted to build the momentum ahead of the knockout stages in the National Hurling League but the reigning champions failed to impress in their nine-point win over Westmeath.

The LIT Gaelic Grounds provided heavy underfoot conditions, after Storm Jorge made its way through on Saturday, but Limerick still had enough in the tank to secure a fourth successive win in Division 1A.

David Dempsey’s late goal was crucial to kill off Westmeath advances during a comeback in the wake of Darragh O’Donovan’s red card.

Limerick held a 0-15 to 0-6 lead at half-time after they killed off the game early with the wind and rain at their backs.

The rain died down eventually, as did Limerick’s drive to put Westmeath out of sight and out of mind, and Derek McNicholas’ brilliant skills from the deal ball kept the underdogs alive.

On the back of a hammering at the hands of Tipperary, this looked bleak for Westmeath when they fell into a 0-9 to 0-0 deficit after the first half-of-an-hour.

The visitors wouldn’t score until the 18th minute and meanwhile the 2018 All-Ireland champions were rampant. Darragh O’Donovan was only player to shoot wide for Limerick in the opening 10 minutes.

David Reidy scored a free after 45 seconds to set the tone and Tom Morrissey raided down the left wing to flash over two points from an identical position for a 0-3 to 0-0 advantage.

Seamus Flanagan’s diagonal runs were causing havoc for the Westmeath defence, and he scored a couple of points with Barry Nash also adding his name to the scoresheet.

Limerick were easing up already, although Reidy scored his third and fourth points for a nine-point lead. Jack Galvin’s stunning point from wide out on the right was worth the wait when it came, but Westmeath needed goals.

Instead, Flanagan and Reidy scored to leave Limerick in a comfortable 0-11 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Westmeath scored three of the next four points with Reidy’s sixth cancelled out by McNicholas’ free and sideline, and a further point from Shane Clavin.

Shane O’Brien’s side had finally established a foothold but they could only manage two more points from McNicholas before half-time.

Reidy (two) and Brian Ryan scored to give Limerick a healthy nine-point gap at the break.

Darragh Clinton and Tom Morrissey traded points on the restart, but two frees from McNicholas kept things interesting.

Flanagan could have made it more comfortable for Limerick, he blasted a shot off the crossbar in the 46th minute and two points later Westmeath were within five points.

O’Donovan was sent-off for an off-the-ball incident but timely scores from Ryan and Flanagan settled Limerick.

Then Westmeath reeled off three points in-a-row with substitute Josh Coll scoring twice. His second left it at 0-20 to 0-16 with 12 minutes remaining.

But points from O’Connell and Nash sealed the win for Limerick before Dempsey struck in the 69th minute.

Scorers for Limerick: David Reidy 0-8 (7fs), Tom Morrissey 0-7 (4fs), Seamus Flanagan 0-4, David Dempsey 1-0, Brian Ryan 0-2, Barry Nash 0-2, Darren O’Connell 0-1

Scorers for Westmeath: Derek McNicholas 0-10 (8fs, 2 sidelines), Darragh Clinton 0-3, Jack Galvin 0-2, Josh Coll 0-2, Shane Clavin 0-1.

LIMERICK: Barry Hennessy; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Aaron Costello; Barry Nash, Declan Hannon (c), Dan Morrissey; Josh Considine, Darragh O’Donovan; David Reidy, Tom Morrissey, Brian Ryan; Darren O’Connell, Seamus Flanagan, Graeme Mulcahy.

Subs: David Dempsey for Reidy (half-time), Kyle Hayes for Mulcahy (half-time), Brian O’Grady for Finn (42), Paddy O’Loughlin for Hannon (52), Robbie Hanley for Considine (63).

WESTMEATH: Aaron McHugh; Adam Ennis, Tommy Doyle, Conor Shaw; Darragh Egerton, Aonghus Clarke, Liam Varle; Shane Clavin, Alan Cox; Cormac Boyle, Derek McNicholas, Robbie Greville; Joey Boyle, Niall Mitchell, Jack Galvin.

Subs: Darragh Clinton for Ennis (27), Shane McGovern for Cox (34), Josh Coll for J Boyle (half-time), John Gilligan for Varley (45), Brendan Doyle for Egerton (65).

REFEREE: Shane Hynes (Galway).