Limerick come from seven down to reach Tailteann final
Limerick are just one more win away from Tailteann Cup success and a golden ticket to the 2026 All-Ireland SFC after a remarkable semi-final win at Croke Park.
Jimmy Lee's side trailed by seven points with 52 minutes on the clock and looked to have come to the end of the line in the tier two competition.
But a remarkable burst of scoring which yielded 1-09 without response in a 16-minute spell turned the game on its head and ultimately won it for Limerick.
Substitutes played a huge part in the turnaround with 1-03 coming from the bench and Rob Childs' 52nd minute goal kick-starting the blitzkrieg.
Barry Coleman, who also came on, weighed in with two important points while goalkeeper Josh Ryan boomed over a two-point free which, when the angle was built in, was from all of 60 metres out.
Limerick's reward is a July 12 Tailteann Cup final clash with Kildare or Fermanagh, who play in the second semi-final this afternoon.
But it's the end of the road for Oisin McConville's Wicklow who will kick themselves for letting victory elude them.
Aside from that big lead which they held after dominating the third quarter, they also had a penalty awarded in the 57th minute which was saved by the brilliant Ryan.
It was a second successful outing for Limerick at Croke Park this year having previously beaten Wexford in the Division 4 league final.
They didn't beat Wicklow in the league though, drawing with the Garden County when they last met in mid-March.
And it was neck and neck again for long stretches with Wicklow initially taking the lead, 0-04 to 0-03, before Danny Neville netted to put Limerick into a lead they held onto for the majority of the first-half.
Neville was fresh off hitting Wexford for 2-02 in the preliminary quarter-finals and only had goal on his mind when he shrugged off Malachy Stone down the right channel in the 16th minute.
Neville still had ground to cover and plenty to do but held his nerve in a one-on-one with big Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson and curled home at the near post.
James Naughton, who came into the contest with 0-27 from four games, added two points for Limerick though wasted a decent chance from a free on the edge of the D.
Naughton won a free that Peter Nash converted to leave Limerick 1-07 to 0-09 up at half-time.
But it was essentially level pegging with Wicklow midfielder Dean Healy accounting for the half's only two-pointer.
Healy has had a brilliant campaign, kicking the winner against Westmeath last weekend in Aughrim and blasting 1-4 against Waterford previously.
He set up another score here for Christopher O'Brien while Eoin Darcy and Joe Prendergast grabbed eye-catching points after long kick-passes opened up the Limerick defence.
Healy was brilliant in that third quarter when Wicklow initially turned the screw.
He added three more points, including a second two-pointer, and with defender Malachy Stone getting forward to bundle home a goal from close range in the 47th minute, Wicklow opened up a 1-16 to 1-09 lead.
Oisin McGraynor punched the air in delight when he scored in the 50th minute, opening up that seven-point lead.
But it was all downhill from there for the Leinster side who couldn't hold on for their fourth win of the campaign as Limerick rallied superbly.
LIMERICK: Josh Ryan (0-04, 0-04 tpf); Jason Hassett, Mark McCarthy, Darren O'Doherty; Killian Ryan, Iain Corbett, Tony McCarthy (0-02); Tommie Childs, Darragh O'Hagan; James Naughton (0-02), Emmett Rigter (0-01), Paul Maher; Peter Nash (0-03, 0-03f), Danny Neville (1-02), Cillian Fahy (0-01).
Subs: Rob Childs (1-00) for Naughton 39, Tadgh O Siochru for Corbett 45, Barry Coleman (0-02) for Rigter 49, Darragh Murray (0-01) for O'Hagan 52, Rory O'Brien for Maher 61.
WICKLOW: Mark Jackson (0-02, 0-02f); Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone (1-00); Craig Maguire, Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee; Dean Healy (0-05, 2 tp), Padraig O'Toole; Cathal Baker, Joe Prendergast (0-02), Christopher O'Brien (0-01); Oisin McGraynor (0-01), Eoin Darcy (0-02), Mark Kenny (0-01).
Subs: Kevin Quinn (0-02) for Maguire 28, John Paul Nolan for Baker 44, Andy Maher for Prendergast 61, Jack Kirwan (0-01) for Kenny 64, Conor Fee for McGraynor 65.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
'It's our time' says Limerick semi-final hero Josh Ryan
Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan hailed their victory over Wicklow in today's Tailteann Cup semi-final as a massive step forward for the county, having overcome a huge personal battle to be part of it. The Treaty came from seven points down to progress to the decider with Kildare next month and are now a win away from entering the All-Ireland Football Championship next year. Man of the match Ryan saved a penalty and also kicked a couple of two-pointers. Speaking after the match, he shared what it means to Limerick GAA and credited his team-mates' resilience and closeness for their success. "It means a lot to to be fair," he told RTÉ Sport. "The football people of Limerick, we haven't given them too many days out. But thankfully, our time has kind of come now and it's about getting to a final and going that next step. "I'm looking forward to a final. We've prepared but have got a lot more preparation to go as well. So we'll take that as it comes. "I think this team has showed a lot of resilience the whole way through the year. We had two losses at the start of the league. And we just stayed resilient. We kept close as a group, there's serious camaraderie within us." Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan in the man of the match after his penalty save and two-point kicks helped his side secure their place in the Tailteann Cup final. — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025 In 2022 Ryan suffered a serious injury, breaking his tibia in three places, which forced him to take 17 months out of the game to recover. The sacrifices and determination needed was certainly on his mind as the final whistle went. "It looked fairly bleak inside the hospital in Limerick for 12 days lying on my back amd I didn't think I'd see the day again to be honest with you. "Every day we're playing with Limerick, I look at the program and see my name. That's what it means, to see your name on an inter-county panel again is great." Limerick boss Jimmy Lee expressed immense pride at his team's strength of character and the depth of talent on the squad. "The resilience that the boys have shown, even when we were being beaten, [has been a key factor]. "They dug deep. Seeing the big names coming off, the strength and depth in the squad is, and I know I keep saying it, actually phenomenal. "From one to 38 anyone could be on that 26 and there was a time we were fighting for the first 15. "Now we're fighting for the first 26, it's a great complaint. I'm delighted to have it."
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Inside Gearoid Hegarty's life off the pitch following Limerick loss
All Star hurler Gearoid Hegarty dropped to the ground after being hit with an elbow on Saturday during the Limerick to Dublin clash, resulting in Dublin being a man down for most of the All Ireland Senior Hurling quarter-final. The elbow came from Dublin captain Chris Crummey inside the first 15 minutes, with the red card offence making it a game of 15 versus 14 for most of the game. Unfortunately, Hegarty and his team were unable to use the extra player to their advantage, with two second-half goals from Dublin proving they were well up for the challenge. All Star hurler Gearoid Hegarty dropped to the ground after suffering an elbow on Saturday during the Limerick to Dublin clash. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile The Dubs were victorious 2-24 to 0-28 after 70 minutes of play plus injury time. It is a disappointing end to the Treaty City's championship bid, with St Patrick's right wing-forward joining the county team in 2016 and going from strength to strength. Nine years on the Limerick Senior Hurling team, the 30-year-old has gone on to claim five All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship titles along with six Munster Senior Hurling titles and found National Hurling Leagues. Dublin are down to 14 men after Chris Crummey sees red for his elbow on Gearóid Hegarty. 📺 @RTE2 & @RTEplayer 📱 Updates – — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 21, 2025 In 2020, Gearoid was named Hurler of the Year, and has four All-Stars to his name from 20202, 2021, 2022 and 2024. As well as playing for his club and county, the Limerick man played for University of Limerick during his time in the Castletroy-based college, winning the Fitzgibbbon Cup in 2018. Off the pitch, Gearoid is a business teacher and enjoys holidaying with his partner Niamh O'Connor, who is also a teacher. Off the pitch, Gearoid Hegarty is a business teacher and enjoys holidaying with his partner Niamh O'Connor, who is also a teacher. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The couple have been together for a number of years, with Niamh sharing a sporting background having played intercounty level for Limerick in both Camogie and football. As well as having a talented sporting girlfriend, Gearoid's father also is well-known in GAA circles having played for Limerick and getting to the All Ireland finals at Croke Park in 1994. Retired Ger played for Old Christians at club-level. He also represented Limerick for a number of years, in both football and hurling. Ger holds two Munster Senior Hurling titles.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
GAA fans outraged after footage shows GAA stars urinating on pitch after game
Donegal stormed into the All-Ireland quarter-finals after a commanding home win over Louth on Sunday in Ballybofey. Jim McGuinness and his players were applauded off as they head for Croke Park next, and the knockout stages. However, some fans have shared their anger at members of the squad on social media after footage surfaced which appears to show players urinating on the pitch in the middle of a team huddle. "Love Donegal but this is disgusting as well as disrespectful," said one fan online. "That's an absolute disgrace," said another. "Surely a public order offence occurring right there," said one Twitter/X user. There were some quick to defend the behaviour, saying it is commonplace on sports grounds when players are unable to get in to the toilet and have taken so much fluid on board. Just last year, a Peruvian footballer, Sebastian Munoz, was sent off for urinating on the pitch during a match in Peru's third tier. In 2017, Salford keeper Max Crocombe was sent off for urinating during a National League North match against Bradford. In 2009, Stuttgart goalkeeper and former Arsenal star Jens Lehmann jumped over the advertising hoardings behind the goal to relieve himself, before he was interrupted when Unirea Urziceni went on a counter-attack and he had to rush back in goal. Gary Lineker famously pooed on the pitch while leading the line for England against Republic of Ireland at World Cup '90. Heading into the game with an upset stomach, Lineker was forced to wipe his shorts on the turf in a moment he would rather forget. In the 2005 London Marathon, Paula Radcliffe was suffering from severe stomach cramps and diarrohea, leading her to stop and relieve herself on the side of the road, in full view of the crowd and live television cameras. She went on to win the race with a time of 2:17:42, a record at the time for a women's only race. Radcliffe later said she had been looking for a toilet, but couldn't find one suitable.
