A LATE two-pointer equalising free (from outside the newly introduced 40m arc) from Matthew Carey denied Limerick maximum opening round points in a lively National Football League encounter at Longford’s Pearse Park.
It finished: Longford 2-12, Limerick 1-15.
The visitors enjoyed a horrible start, conceding two very early goals to trail by seven points after just the opening quarter.
A timely goal from the lively Peter Nash was important for Limerick, and Jimmy Lee’s side trailed by just two points at the interval, 2-4 to 1-5.
Early in the new half, Limerick took the lead through Mark McCarthy.
With a quarter to run, the sides were level and thereafter Limerick – for whom James Naughton, Nash and Emmet Rigter (2) landed timely points – looked the more likely winners only to be reeled-in at the death by Carey.
Limerick: Josh Ryan, 0-1, (Oola); Oran Collins (Adare), Fiachra Cotter (Fr. Casey’s), Mark McCarthy, 0-2, (Fr. Casey’s); Barry Coleman, 0-1, (Rathkeale), Killian Ryan (Mungret St. Paul’s), Paul Maher (Adare); Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels), Cillian Fahy, captain, (Dromcollogher/Broadford); Andrew Meade, 0-1, (Rathkeale), Emmett Rigter, 0-3, (Newcastle West), James Naughton, 0-3, (St. Senan’s); Peter Nash, 1-3, (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Bob Childs (Galtee Gaels), Tony McCarthy (Kildimo/Pallaskenry).
Substitutes used: Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins), Darragh O’Hagan (Mungret St. Paul’s), Iain Corbett, 0-1, (Newcastle West), Seán Clancy (Galtee Gaels) and Rory O’Brien (Fr. Casey’s).
Limerick entertain Wexford, comfortable home winners over London at the weekend, at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Sunday (2pm).
Oran Collins of county champions Adare is an injury concern for the fixture after he retired early in Longford.
In the opening round of the Ladies Football League (Division Three), Limerick were edged-out by Down in Mungret, 0-14 to 2-6.
Deborah Murphy (Monagea) kicked an impressive five points for Limerick, for whom the goals arrived through Rebecca Delee (Feohanagh/Castlemahon) and Róisín Ambrose of Old Mill.
Wexford are visitors at the weekend.
