Dubs Relegate Limerick With Six Goal Bonanza

Allianz GAA Hurling National League: Dublin 6-30 Limerick 2-11

Dublin maintained their top flight status in the Allianz GAA Hurling National League thanks to a 6-30 to 2-11 demolition of Limerick in a one-sided game at Parnell Park on Sunday.

A win would have seen Limerick avoid the drop on the head-to-head rule, but they were completely outplayed and suffered their seventh successive defeat of the competition, meaning Justin McCarthy's inexperienced side will play their hurling in Division 2 next year.

Dublin, who needed at least a point to stay up, led by 0-20 to 0-8 at the break, with Alan McCrabbe scoring 0-8 for the Sky Blues in the first half alone.

It began to unravel for Limerick after the break when James O'Brien was sent off on a straight red card, before the Dublin attack caught fire to score six second half goals and stroll to a 31 points win.

Dublin's greater intensity was noticeable from the first whistle and all six of their forwards got on the scoresheet in the first half as they built up a 12 points advantage at the break.

McCrabbe, as is his wont, was in impeccable scoring form from placed balls, but Dublin's superiority was not just in evidence on the scoreboard.

Anthony Daly, the Dublin boss, had his players primed for a Championship-style winner-takes-all game, and they responded brilliantly, dominating the game with their superior skill levels and a far greater collective aggression.

Paudie McNamara did raise Limerick's hopes of a miracle escape at the start of the second half, when he rifled home a goal from a 21-yard free.

McNamara had an opportunity to add a second soon after from the penalty spot, but he sent his shot high and over the bar.

However, Limerick's good work after the restart was undone when James O'Brien was sent off for a straight red card.

In truth, that was where Limerick's challenge petered out as Dublin thrilled the home crowd with an exhibition of goal scoring over the remainder of a one-sided game.

David 'Dotsy' O'Callaghan scored the first of Dublin's six second half goals, taking advantage of comedy of errors in the Limerick defence to send the ball past Tadhg Flynn, the Treaty goalkeeper. Amazingly, Dublin now led by 1-26 to 1-10 and Daly used the opportunity to empty his bench as it was clear that they had secured their survival in the top flight.

Shane Ryan, one of those substitutes, stole in for a goal and O'Callaghan raised another green flag as the Dubs laid siege on the Shannonsiders' goal. 

John Kelly, Liam Rushe and Paul Ryan all added further goals as Limerick completely capitulated in the final quarter, leaving the scoreline reading 6-28 to 1-11 with six minutes left on the clock.

Despite the one-way traffic, Dublin goalkeeper Gary Maguire had to stay focused and was required to make two superb late saves before Graham Mulcahy kicked a goal that was scant consolation for Limerick.

It was Limerick's seventh successive defeat of the league campaign and they will play Division 2 hurling next year after finishing four points adrift at the foot of the table.

Of more immediate concern, though, is their Munster Championship opener against Cork or Tipperary on June 20, which McCarthy will now have to raise his troops for after a truly dispiriting start to the season.