Rampant Dublin head for League semi-final

Dublin 1-25 Limerick 0-16

Rampant Dublin head for League semi-final

Dublin 1-25 Limerick 0-16

Mark Schutte inspired Dublin to qualify for the Allianz Hurling League semi-final as his haul of 1-5 from play proved key in victory over Limerick at Croke Park.

Ger Cunningham's side led 0-14 to 0-08 at half time and when Schutte scored his goal in the 37th minute, a Dublin victory looked inevitable, while David Treacy also impressed for the home side with nine points.

In the end a lack of top flight preparation cost Division 1B side Limerick, who never coped with Dublin's slick play and high intensity.

Dublin worked hard for the victory though and were up to the pace of the game from the off as Dotsy O'Callaghan hit the first point, before Limerick's Shane Dowling got the first of his eight points from a free to equalise.

The impressive Danny Sutcliffe got Dublin's second and Treacy opened his account with a fourth minute free, but they kept the early pressure on as midfielder Niall McMorrow made it 0-4 to 0-1 within six minutes.

Mark Schutte scored five points in his previous outing against Galway and he added to his season's tally with three excellent scores in the first half. Richie McCarthy was struggling to keep up with Schutte and McCarthy 's day worsened when he conceded a penalty for foul on O'Callaghan.

Under instruction from manager Ger Cunningham, Treacy opted for a point from the penalty which gave Dublin a 0-12 to 0-7 lead three minutes before the interval.

In the 33rd minute Johnny McCaffrey became the second of Dublin's half-backs to score after an earlier effort from Chris Crummey, while Graeme Mulcahy landed his second point of the match for Limerick before another superb score from McCaffrey made it 0-14 to 0-8 at the break.

The Dubs made the perfect start to the second half as O'Callaghan notched a point before Schutte found the net. The Cuala man beat McCarthy to Conal Keaney's long ball forward, turned the full-back and raced clear of Stephen Walsh before placing the ball to the corner of Nicky Quaid's net.

Substitute Paul Ryan could have grabbed a second goal for Dublin but his shot from a narrow angle was well saved by Quaid. Treacy and Dowling remained accurate from placed balls but Dublin spurned another goal chance in the 58th minute.

Ryan O'Dwyer burst through the defence and played in substitute Colm Cronin but Quaid denied him brilliantly from close range. Cronin was first to the rebound but he flicked the sliotar against the post and Limerick survived another scare.

Dowling scored his eighth of the day in the 59th minute to narrow the gap to six points but it was all Dublin after that and they tagged on seven points in the final ten minutes to win comfortably.

Scorers - Dublin: D Treacy 0-9 (7f, 1 pen), M Schutte 1-5, D O'Callaghan 0-2, J McCaffrey 0-2, D Sutcliffe 0-2, N McMorrow 0-2, C Crummey 0-1, C Boland 0-1, L Rushe 0-1.

Limerick: S Dowling 0-8 (7f, 1 '65), G Mulcahy 0-3, C Lynch 0-1, J Ryan 0-1, P O'Brien 0-1, S Tobin 0-1, T Morrissey 0-1.

Dublin: G Maguire; C O'Callaghan, P Kelly, P Schutte; J McCaffrey (C Cronin 56), C Crummey, C Keaney; S Durkin, N McMorrow; D Sutcliffe (C McBride 70), R O'Dwyer (D Plunkett 68), L Rushe; D O'Callaghan (P Ryan 45), M Schutte (C Boland 67), D Treacy.

Limerick: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, S Hickey (S O'Brien 34); P O’Brien, W McNamara, D Morrissey; P Browne, J Ryan (C King 65); D Breen, D Hannon, D O’Grady (C Lynch 12); G Mulcahy (T Morrissey 65), S Dowling, S Tobin (D Reidy 54).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College
Kildare v Louth - Allianz Football League Division 2 Cards to carry if there is extra-time in football finals
Donegal v Tyrone - Electric Ireland Ulster GAA Minor Football Championship Final Tyrone U20s edge Derry in dramatic finish after tactical battle
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited