14-man Limerick overcome half-time deficit to defeat Westmeath in SHC Qualifiers

Gavin O'Mahony gets his shot away despite the efforts of Westmeath's Derek McNicholas

Limerick survived Seanie O’Brien's red card to grind out a 1-24 to 0-18 win over Westmeath in round one of the All Ireland SHC Qualifiers.

Graeme Mulcahy's first-half goal and 14 points from free-taker Shane Dowling fired Limerick into the next round, but TJ Ryan's side were made to sweat for the victory.

For long periods it seemed as if a confident and revved up Westmeath side would be able to cause the shock of the GAA summer as they led by 0-13 to 1-9 at the interval.

But Limerick started the second half brightly and once Brendan Murtagh missed the target with his penalty in the 49th minute, the Westmeath challenge fizzled away. At the other end Dowling kept converting his frees and Limerick eased away in the end and guaranteed their place in Monday morning's draw.

Aonghus Clarke is tackled by Darragh O'Donovan of Limerick

In truth this win could and should have been a lot more convincing for Limerick. After electing to play into a strong wind from the start they would have been delighted to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 after just 10 minutes play. At that point their inside line of Declan Hannon and Kevin Downes were causing havoc and they looked the far hungrier team on show.

But once centre-back Aonghus Clarke fired over a great point from halfway in the 11th minute Westmeath were rejuvenated. That started them on a run of six unanswered scores as Niall O'Brien found the target with ease to pull his side ahead by the 22nd minute.

But Limerick struck a couple of key scores after that when Hannon and Dowling pointed, before Barry Nash set Mulcahy up for their goal and a 1-8 to 0-7 lead.

But Westmeath responded well again and points from Aaron Craig and Allan Devine, and a couple of frees from O'Brien soon had the teams level before the break.

Seanie O'Brien is shown a red card by referee Alan Kelly

It appeared as if Seanie O'Brien's red for a strike across Cormac Boyle would be a key moment that would drive Westmeath to the win, but instead it seemed to drive Limerick on after the restart.

TJ Ryan's side were inspired after the break despite their numerical disadvantage. James Ryan got them going again with a good point and Dowling quickly added a free, while Dowling and Downes also scored again, before Westmeath were handed a lifeline.

Darragh Eagerton was upended inside the square and referee Alan Kelly awarded a penalty, but Murtagh was unable to find the target.

After that there was no cut to Westmeath's play as Dowling began to convert free after free as Limerick pulled clear. In the end it was a deserved win.

Limerick: N Quaid; S O'Brien, D Morrissey, R English; D Byrnes, G O'Mahony, P O'Brien; J Ryan (0-1), D O'Donovan (0-1); B Nash, D Hannon (0-3), P Browne (0-1); K Downes (0-3), S Dowling (0-14, 10f, 2'65), G Mulcahy (1-0).

Subs: G Hegarty for Nash (50), R McCarthy for Morrissey (59), D Reidy (0-1) for Hannon (59), A Dempsey for Ryan (63), T Condon for English (66).

Westmeath: P Maloney; C Shaw, T Doyle, T Gallagher; A Craig (0-1), A Clarke (0-2), A McGrath; C Boyle (0-1), E Price; N O'Brien (0-11, 7f, 1'65, 1'slc), B Murtagh (0-2, 1f), A Devine (0-1); D Egerton, D McNicholas, N Mitchell.

Subs: R Greville for McNicholas (47), L Varley for McGrath (49), K Doyle for Mitchell (55), G Greville for Shaw (69).

Referee: A Kelly (Galway).