Limerick 4-26
Wexford 1-11

After the highs of recent weeks, Wexford hurling came crashing back down to earth today when suffering a 24-point hammering at the hands of an impressive Limerick in the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Semple Stadium.

Disappointingly, the last eight clash failed dismally to live up to pre-match expectations but that won't concern Limerick who went in at the break with a sizeable 3-15 to 0-8 cushion.

Limerick number 12 Shane Dowling led the rout with 2-6 in the opening 35 minutes and he also created the opening for David Breen to raise their first green flag in the 28th minute.

TJ Ryan's side suffered a set-back prior to throw-in when Donal O'Grady was ruled out due to a calf injury but, as events transpired, the team captain wasn't missed.

For their part, Wexford looked a pale shadow of the team that scored memorable wins against Clare and Waterford over the past two weekends.

The Matthew O'Hanlon captained side returned to the well for the fourth consecutive week but they found it to be empty on this occasion and, Limerick's excellence aside, manager Liam Dunne will be unhappy with the numerous unforced errors that crippled their challenge.

It was a laboured performance by the men from the sunny south east, to say the least, but credit to Limerick who, backed by the wind, seized the initiative straight from the throw-in with early points from Dowling (free) and midfielder James Ryan.

Their defence, superbly marshalled by Richie McCarthy and Wayne McNamara, were first to every ball and Seamus Hickey completely nullified the treat of Liam Og McGovern.

Their midfield pairing of Ryan and Paul Browne dominated Lee Chin and David Redmond while Dowling, Breen, Graeme Mulcahy and Declan Hannon ran their markers ragged.

Wexford's best goal chance fell to Podge Doran in the 15th minute but he blazed wide of Nickie Quaid's posts and the Model County found themselves 13 points in arrears after just 30 minutes of play.

Three unanswered points from Jack Guiney (2 frees) and Conor McDonald gave Wexford a glimmer of hope approaching the half-time whistle but two goals in as many minutes from Dowling extinguished that.

Diarmuid O'Keeffe was one of the few Wexford players who did themselves justice and he sent over his third point at the start of the second-half but normal service was soon restored when Paul Browne netted Limerick's fourth goal in the 37th minute and Wexford were well and truly a beaten docket.

Half-time substitute Shane Tompkins netted a consolation goal for the Model County in the 62nd minute but it was a day to forget for Liam Dunne and his players.

Their woes were compounded when captain and full-back O'Hanlon was red-carded for a reckless swing on Dowling in the 72nd minute.

Limerick, meanwhile, now turn their attention to a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny in two weeks time and they will be hoping to go, at least, one step further than 12 months ago.

Limerick - N Quaid; T Condon, R McCarthy, S Hickey; P O'Brien, W McNamara (0-1), G O'Mahony; J Ryan (0-2), P Browne (1-1); D Breen (1-1), D Hannon (0-4), T Ryan (0-3); K Downes, S Dowling (2-8), G Mulcahy (0-3). Subs: S Tobin (0-3) for Breen, N Moran for Downes, T O'Brien for Hannon, S Walsh for McCarthy, C King for J Ryan.

Wexford - M Fanning; L Ryan, M O'Hanlon, K Rossiter; A Shore, E Moore, C Kenny; D Redmond, L Chin; J Guiney (0-3), P Doran (0-2), D O'Keeffe (0-3); P Morris (0-1), C McDonald (0-2), L Og McGovern. Subs: R Kehoe for Kenny, S Tomkins (1-0) for Redmond, R Jacob for Morris, I Byrne for Doran, H Kehoe for Moore.

Ref: B Kelly (Westmeath). Tweet

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