Limerick made an emphatic start to their Very Camogie League 1B campaign as they ran out convincing 25 winners over Kerry in Ballyheigue this afternoon.

As they almost suffered the drop last season, Limerick made the ideal start to Joe Quaid’s second tenure as manager leading from the opening minute until the very last whistle. The Treaty women were in top form and from 1-15 and their eight subs who came on had quality in abundance.

Rebecca Delee was just one of their fulcrums in the tie, Caoimhe Costello struck 2-5, with Niamh Ryan hitting 1-4 from the half-forward line. An Ironclad defence kept Kerry limited in their attack.

Brian D’arcy did see his tenure as Kerry manager start on the losing front, Kerry who went unbeaten in 2A last season, missing a host of regular seasoned campaigners, struggled to match the firepower on show by Limerick.

Despite Limerick hitting two early wides they soon managed to stamp their authority on the tie. Caoimhe Lyons with two accurate strikes and a Niamh Ryan effort giving them a three point lead after four minutes.

The opening goal arrived seconds later, Limerick winning all the ball in midfield from the puck outs, working it back toward the Kerry goal Caoimhe Costello raced in and struck a rasper of a strike to the bottom corner from outside the 21m line, Kerry keeper Aoife Fitzgerald did get a touch but not enough to prevent a green flag being raised.

It remained the way of the Shannonsiders, Lizanna Boylan with a beauty from over the shoulder, one of four points to move the visitors ten points ahead by the 11 minute mark. Delee and Mairead Ryan ended the opening quarter in strong fashion 1-9 to no score ahead.

Kerry found their route to goal limited, notching two wides and a host of balls dropping short, Jackie Horgan would find the mark in the 19th minute to get the hosts on the board. Limerick kept that tally ticking for the remainder of the half.

Horgan converted a long range free minutes later to grab a second point for the Kingdom, Limerick were 1-11 to 0-2 by this stage and a close range free from Costello made the gap 13 points at the interval.

Kerry did show signs of fight throughout the tie and early in the second half looked sharp in their attack, Horgan with a third point of the afternoon to start the second half on a positive note.

Delee replied with a sensational burst through the middle to notch a third point of the afternoon. Delee either on the scoring front or playing those vital assists was inspirational for Limerick.

Slicing a pass through the Kerry rear-guard for Costello on the left wing, the full forward struck from the left channel into the top right hand corner of the Kerry net. 2-14 to 0-3 after 41 minutes.

The quality of the Limerick scores showed why they are a consistent side at the senior grade. Lyons struck from a narrow angle to put the visitors 18 clear as the third quarter neared competition.

By the end of the third quarter Limerick had moved 2-17 to 0-3 ahead and kept that form up in the final quarter. Quaid made seven alterations in a minute window as Limerick used their bench to full effect to add extra energy to their game plan.

Points continued to follow for Limerick but a lovely pass by Ann Marie Leen found substitute Amy O’Sullivan inside the full forward line, the forward who scored a decisive goal to see Clanmauirce crowned All Ireland Intermediate Champions rounded Ciara Mulqueen to fire to the net after 53 minutes.

At the other end Niamh Ryan would goal for Limerick less than sixty seconds later. A long ball inside to Ryan who gathered and struck to the net, calls for a square ball not listened to by referee Cathal McAllister.

Limerick saw the game out in style, Ryan, Lyons and Costello with incredible efforts to end a fantastic display for the Treaty Women to start 2024 on the winning front.

Post Match

Laura Fennelly

Joe Quaid