Carlow 0-13 Limerick 5-22: Treaty cruise into quarter-final

Limerick are into the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final, after beating Joe McDonagh Cup champions Carlow 5-22 to 0-13.

Carlow were unable rediscover the form that led them to last weekend's Joe McDonagh Cup title as Limerick eased their way into the All-Ireland quarter-final for the first time since 2014.

In a week's time, John Kiely's side will now meet the losers of the Galway-Kilkenny Leinster final replay, while Carlow retire for the summer having secured their place in next year's Leinster championship and promotion in the national league.

Kyle Hayes, Graeme Mulcahy and Aaron Gillane hit the net before the break for Limerick and they ran out easy winners, while Peter Casey and Diarmuid Byrnes also hit the net for the Munster men.

It only took Limerick 30 seconds to take the lead when William O'Donoghue sent Hayes in on goal and he buried his low shot past Brian Treacy, but following that early boost there as no immediate kick from Kiely's side.

Instead it was the home side who began to settle and with John Michel Nolan, Paul Cody and Edward Byrne on top in the half-forward line, they pulled within two points with Denis Murphy and Byrne on target.

But while Limerick were struggling, Carlow were unable to make the most of their dominance and reeled off six wides by the 20th minute.

Tom Morrissey hit a great score for Limerick in the 12th minute, which he had to fight very hard for, but it was a key score for his side as they then began to show their usual free-flowing hurling.

Mulcahy and Gearoid Hegarty hit points for the Munster outfit, and after 19 minutes their second goal arrived when Gillane's quick pass sent Mulcahy in on goal and he finished at the second attempt, following a fine Brian Tracey save.

Goal number three came a minute later, this time Hegarty picked out Gillane with a pin-point pass, and the Patrickswell man arrowed his shot into the top corner from a tight angle.

That goal put Limerick 3-3 to 0-3 ahead and they tagged on six points before the break, but they also should have punished their hosts a bit more as their ten first-half wides attests.

Limerick continued to dominate after the restart and despite early points from John Michael Nolan and Murphy, the Munster men soon took over again. Tom Morrissey was outstanding for Limerick and he tagged on three points in the second period to bring his tally to five, while Diarmuid Byrnes crept forward and hit the fourth goal for his side in the 55th minute.

Peter Casey made a real impact off the bench and hit three points from play, while it was his goal with nine minutes remaining that signed off this dominant Limerick performance.

_____

Attendance: 6,000 (approx)

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-06 (2f), Peter Casey 1-03, Tom Morrissey 0-05, Graeme Mulcahy 1-01, Gearoid Hegarty 0-02, Diarmaid Byrnes 1-01 (1'65), Kyle Hayes 1-00, Cian Lynch 0-01, Barry Nash 0-01, Seamus Flanagan 0-01, Darragh O'Donovan 0-01.

Scorers for Carlow: Denis Murphy 0-04 (3f, 1'65), Peter Abbey 0-02, John Michael Nolan 0-02, Edward Byrne 0-01, Jack Kavanagh 0-01, Diamuid Byrne 0-01 (1f), Chris Nolan 0-01, Seamus Murphy 0-01.

Limerick:

1. Nicky Quaid

2. Mike Casey

3. Richie McCarthy

4. Richie English

5. Diarmaid Byrnes

6. Declan Hannon (c)

7. Dan Morrissey

8. William O'Donoghue

9. Cian Lynch

10. Gearoid Hegarty

11. Kyle Hayes

12. Tom Morrissey

14. Seamus Flanagan

13. Aaron Gillane

15. Graeme Mulcahy

Subs:

17. Peter Casey for Hayes (36th minute)

21. Barry Nash for Mulcahy (36th minute)

23. Darragh O'Donovan for Lynch (46th minute)

19. Sean Finn for English (53rd minute)

20. Seamus Hickey for Hannon (58th minute)

Carlow:

1.Brian Tracey

5. Kevin McDonald

3. Paul Doyle

4. Michael Doyle

7. Richard Coady

6. David English

22. Richard Kelly

8. Jack Kavanagh

9. Diarmuid Byrne (c)

10. John Michael Nolan

11. Paul Coady

12. Edward Byrne

15. Chris Nolan

14. Denis Murphy

13. James Doyle

Subs:

24. Seamus Murphy for D Murphy (48th minute)

18. Conor Foley for P Coady (53rd minute)

23. Ross Smithers for C Nolan (56th minute)

19. Eoin Redmond for M Doyle (57th minute)

21. Peter Abbey for E Byrne (63rd minute)