Tommie Childs, Darragh O’Siochru and Peter Nash all netted for Limerick
LIMERICK 3-11 (3-0-11) WEXFORD 0-18 (0-2-14)
Limerick have claimed the Division 4 Football League title after a closely fought battle with Wexford in Croke Park on Saturday afternoon, which ended 3-11 to 0-18.
A first half goal from Darragh O’Siochru was followed by two second half strikes by Tommie Childs and Peter Nash in a game where both sides were very evenly matched.
Limerick keeper Josh Ryan pulled off some very impressive saves and there were big performances in the Limerick back line including full back Colm McSweeney.
Promotion was already secured for both sides and they will both be playing Division 3 next season, but it is the first piece of silverware secured for the year and with Cork travelling to the Gaelic Grounds next weekend, it gives Jimmy Lee’s side a much needed boost.
The Treaty side settled into the game the quickest with two early scores from James Naughton and Tony McCarthy. Wexford almost found themselves in front with Shane Pettit’s effort came from crashing off the post, with Darragh Brooks kicking over a 45 moments after.
Full back Gavin Sheehan then found himself through on goal but his strike was saved well by Josh Ryan, and Limerick were able to break and took advantage with James Naughton knocking over a free to extend his sides lead to two after 13 minutes.
The game turned into a bit of a back and forth encounter as Wexford settled into proceedings with Martin O’Connor, Mark Rossiter and Eoin Porter getting on the score sheet and bringing the sides level and the game firmly in the balance.
Aside from a few frees from Naughton, Limerick weren’t that threatening from play until they finished off their first goal attempt after 23 minutes from minute through Darragh O’Siochru who finished neatly past Brooks in the nets.
Tommie Childs extended his sides lead and they almost found themselves further in front at the break but Emmet Rigters shot was just wide at the near post after an excellent initial build up from the Limerick attack.
Peter Nash’s 44th minute goal left Limerick in a commanding position, but Wexdord never lied down and kept up the pressure and responded well through Kevin O’Grady, Graeme Cullen and Niall Hughes.
The game’s first two pointer from Eoghan Nolan brought it back to just a point between the sides, with 15 minutes left on the clock for Wexford to mount a comeback of some description.
Danny Neville kicked a good point from the bench, before Darragh Brooks kicked a monstrous free which resulted in a two pointer and the sides were once again all square. That didn’t last long though as Limerick broke again and Rigter found Tommie Childs in space and he buried his effort into the bottom corner to restore his side’s lead with less than 10 minutes left.
Back and forth scores followed with Pairic and Niall Hughes shooting over for Wexford, with Rigter responding well for Limerick.
Wexford held onto the ball during the final minute but couldn’t muster an opportunity and thus Limerick could breathe a sigh of relief as they secured the Division 4 title for 2025.
Scorers:
LIMERICK: James Naughton 0-4 (0-3 f), Tommie Childs and Darragh O’Siochru 1-1 each, Peter Nash 1-0, Emmet Rigter 0-2, Tony McCarthy, Paul Maher and Danny Neville 0-1 each
WEXFORD: Mark Rossiter 0-4 (0-3 f), Darragh Brooks (0-1 65, 2pt), Pairic Hughes, Eoin Porter, Eoghan Nolan (2pt) and Niall Hughes 0-2 each, Martin O’Connor Kevin O’Grady and Graeme Cullen 0-1 each
Wides: LIMERICK: 8
WEXFORD: 11
Teams:
LIMERICK: Josh Ryan (Oola); Cormac Woulfe Cormac de Bhulbh (St Senan’s), Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins), Fiachra Cotter (Fr Casey’s), Mark McCarthy (Fr Casey’s), Iain Corbett (Newcastle West), Tony McCarthy (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); Darragh O Hagan (Mungret St Paul’s), Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels); Paul Maher (Adare), James Naughton (St Senan’s), Cillian Fahy (Captain, Dromcollogher-Broadford); Darragh O’Siochru (Monaleen), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), Killian Ryan (Mungret St Paul’s).
Subs: Robbie Childs (Galtee Gaels) for McCarthy (29m), Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry) for O’Hagan (42m), Danny Neville (Ballysteen) for O’Siochru (52m), Andrew Meade (Rathkeale) for Fahy (59m), Diarmuid Buckley (Fr Casey’s) for McCarthy (59m),
WEXFORD: Darragh Brooks (Castletown); Michael Furlong (St Abban’s Adamstown), Gavin Sheehan (Gusserane O’Rahilly’s), Martin O’Connor (HWH Bunclody); Eoin Porter (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Eoghan Nolan (Shelmalier), Liam O’Connor (St Mary’s Rosslare); Liam Coleman (C) (Castletown), Niall Hughes (Kilanerin); Pairic Hughes (Kilanerin), Shane Pettit (St Fintan’s), Mark Rossiter (Gusserane O’Rahilly’s); Kevin O’Grady (St James’), Tom Byrne (Kilmore), Cian Hughes (Kilanerin).
Subs: Ben Brosnan (Carnew Emmets) for Byrne (HT), Sean Ryan (Gusserane O’Rahilly’s) for Hughes (HT), Graeme Cullen (Gusserane O’Rahilly’s) for Pettit (45m), Dylan Furlong (Sarsfields) for O’Connor (49m)
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).