LIMERICK rounded out their League campaign with a win over Offaly.
It may have taken until the final round but Limerick finally got a maiden win of the 2022 League campaign as they beat Offaly 4-29 to 0-17 in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
With a relegation play-off looming in defeat, Limerick made light work of their visitors with Oisin O’Reilly, Cian Lynch, Barry Nash and Pat Ryan hitting the net.
The result condemns Offaly to the relegation final while Limerick can now start preparations for their Munster Championship opener against Cork on April 17.
After each game we look at the players who are in top form and today we continue that with the seventh installment of the Player Power Rankings.
Unlucky to miss out
Sean Finn – At his best in the limited time on the field so far in the league. Great to see him back after the concussion against Cork.
Declan Hannon – Hasn’t done anything wrong this year and as crucial at centre back as ever before.
Brian O’Grady – One of the standouts in the Munster Hurling Cup, O’Grady just hasn’t been afforded the time in the League.
Graeme Mulcahy – Showed what he is all about with four from lay against Offaly. Seems best suited to replace Peter Casey for Cork.
10. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh) (Last Week’s Ranking N/A)
He may have one played 60 minutes this year, but Mike Casey’s return was nothing short of spectacular. Having missed 740+ days of competitive action with injury, the Na Piarsaigh man was flawless in his return.
Anyone expecting him to ease back into proceedings would have been pleasantly surprised by his hour cameo on Sunday as he routinely sauntered out of defence with possesion.
Now a real possibility to go back into the starting line up for Cork next month.
9. Nickie Quaid (Effin) (+1)
Quaid’s reliability should never be called into question, but should so often be highlighted. Simply put, the Effin man never has a bad game. In truth he wasn’t tested against Offaly, but again the puck outs were on point as he routinely found the free man.
The man with the most ever championship appearances for Limerick is still as crucial as ever.
8. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh) (=)
His presence wasn’t needed against Offaly but his injury will be a concern with the championship quickly approaching.
The Na Piarsiagh man is unique in what he brings to the middle of the park, so often setting the tone for the team. He will be badly needed against the likes of Darragh Fitzgibbon and Jamie Barron when the provincial championship rolls around.
7. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown) (-2)
Came on as a blood sub for Declan Hannon but the three minute cameo is all he got. Hasn’t made the impact he would have liked in the league but it has been a learning curve for the youngster who has shown glimpses of the kind of player he can become.
Will definitely make the squad for the Munster championship opener but Coughlan’s chances of starting the game have dwindled with Byrnes excelling and Kyle Hayes’ pedigree.
But in a four game province, Coughlan will be hopeful of starting some games.
6. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks) (+1)
A rolls Royce of a player, Hegarty like O’Donoghue is very much unique in what he brings to the party. A huge presence is complimented by work rate and a brilliant suite of skills. Clipped over three points against Offaly with ease, as he never got out of second gear.
Back to back All-Star, the St Pats man is finding form at just the right time and the red card against Galway aside, can be pleased with his work in the league.
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell) (+1)
The performances of Byrnes often go under the radar with the Patrickswell man usually paired with the electric Kyle Hayes and captain Declan Hannon in the half back line. But with the other two in and out of the team through injury, Byrnes held down the fort. Another who has won back to back All-Stars and is an integral part of the team.
Usually good for 2-3 points from wing back which is invaluable to a team as his long range free taking has been peerless this spring. With the likes of Colin Coughlan pushing hard for one of the wing back positions earlier this year, Byrnes has responded in style.
4. Dan Morrissey (Ahane) (=)
Back out at wing back for the Offaly game, Morrissey was unperturbed by the move, continuing in his no nonsense style. Far from the most stylish, Morrissey is certainly up there as one of the most effective, rarely beaten and always retaining possession.
Hard to see any scenario where he is not in the number 3 or 7 jersey for Cork next month having won All-Stars in both positions. Could be a case of horses for courses with Morrissey equally at home as a dominant full back as he is as a facilitating wing back.
3. Richie English (Doon) (-1)
Only got ten minutes of game time, replacing Casey on the hour mark in the Gaelic Grounds. Not enough to impress really with the game over as a contest at that stage. Drops as a result of the continued performances of the man in front of him.
Seems likely he won’t be named from the start in the Munster championship which would have been the ultimate goal but no better back up the country than the Doon man who is more than capable of making the XV over the coming weeks as Cork looms.
2. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora Manister) (+1)
Wasn’t quite at his best in midfield as the first half seemed to bypass him. Whether that position is a long term option, O’Neill showed in the second half what he can bring clipping over a pair of points.
However, his recent form, where he has been Limerick’s best player except for the man at #1, is enough to leapfrog Englsh in the standings.
But, this far from guarantees his place from the start against Cork with the starlet playing his best stuff out the field as Graeme Mulcahy put up his hand for selection in the corner with four from play on Sunday.
Regardless, it has been a league to remember for O’Neill.
1.Barry Nash (South Liberties) (=)
Barry Nash maintains his place atop the table and in truth it isn’t exactly close. Nash has been superb so far this year for Limerick and hasn’t put a foot wrong yet, despite his full back companions consistently changing and also having played a game at centre back.
His goal at the weekend was out of the top drawer, showing serious composure to fire to the net first time. It also highlights his ability to get forward, something that separates him from his fellow full back teammates.
Guaranteed starter come championship time.
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