*Clare’s Ciaran Russell in action against Limerick’s Jim Liston. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S SENIOR FOOTBALLERS have qualified for the Munster final, for the first time since 2012.
Clare 1-16
Limerick 0-16
Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Colm Collins’ tenure has had many firsts and progressive steps but his side are now preparing for a first provincial final under his watch, after making hard work of the challenge of neighbours Limerick on Saturday evening. Five weeks on from their relegation to Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League, Clare have bounced back with wins over Cork and Limerick to advance to the Munster final and also the All-Ireland SFC.
Though the second half was nervy, particularly with Limerick going ahead for the first time on fifty eight minutes, Clare’s resilience which their loyal supporters know all about, came to the surface once again.
As it often is when it comes to Clare and Limerick in the Munster SFC, it wasn’t too pretty but there were many moments of magic from Keelan Sexton, countless runs from Ciaran Russell and Podge Collins, plus smart thinking from Stephen Ryan.
Notably, Clare supporters outnumbered the hosts among the attendance of 3,636 at the Gaelic Grounds. They made their presence known when the game was in the melting pot, something which certainly had an impact on the players in saffron and blue.
A glorious start saw Clare race 1-01 0-00 ahead with three minutes on the clock. Keelan Sexton struck for the major after his Kilmurry Ibrickane teammates Daniel Walsh and Dermot Coughlan put him through. Sexton’s finish was impressive, tucking it low past the experienced Donal O’Sullivan.
From the kickout, captain Eoin Cleary won possession but the subsequent chance which fell to Pearse Lillis was slightly rushed. Lillis certainly made amends with one of the best scores of the half on thirty three minutes, getting a large cheer, possibly the most vocal of the half for his white flag.
Jamie Malone capped off the positive start with a well-taken point but Limerick got out of the blocks with scores from championship debutant Cathal Downes and James Naughton. They had a possible goal chance of their own but Manus Doherty blocked Peter Nash to keep Stephen Ryan from having to intervene.
Cousins Eoin Cleary and Dermot Coughlan extended Clare’s advantage to four points on seventeen minutes. Limerick then kicked three points in a row via midfield duo Downes and Cillian Fahy before corner back Sean O’Dea got his name on the scoresheet on twenty six minutes.
Full-back Cillian Brennan ended Clare’s eleven minute scoring drought with the full-back getting a rare score while wearing the county colours. Goalkeeper Donal O’Sullivan replied with a free before Cleary and Nash traded efforts. Lillis then opened his account before Keelan Sexton closed out the half’s scoring to leave the half-time tally reading 1-07 0-07 in Clare’s favour.
Brennan was forced off with a hip injury at half-time with Ronan Lanigan introduced to make his championship debut. Interestingly, all five substitutes who entered the fray for Clare were from the Éire Óg club.
Matters became a bit more nervy on the Clare side, mistakes rose and Limerick continued to puncture through defence. By the fifty eighth minute, Limerick had struck ahead through midfielder Cillian Fahy. Prior to this, they hit 0-05 without reply, substitute Hugh Bourke accounting for two points.
Keelan Sexton really stepped up when needed, kicking wonderful scores off his left boot. So too did goalkeeper Stephen Ryan, he made a brilliant save from Brian Donovan on sixty six minutes, a goal at this stage would likely have led Limerick on. Instead, the ball was cleaned up Cillian Rouine and the move a lengthy one ended with Daniel Walsh putting Clare two points ahead.
Rouine who is beginning to make a habit of fisting over points in pressurised situations of the Munster championship along with Emmet McMahon added scores as Clare mounted a 0-04 tally without reply.
Not alone do they now face into a first provincial final since 2012 but Colm Collins’ men find themselves in the race for the Sam Maguire, a defeat would have negated both of these and they instead would be in the Tailteann Cup.
Scorers for Clare: K Sexton (1-4); E Cleary (0-4, 0-2 frees); E McMahon (0-2); C Brennan, C Rouine, J Malone, D Walsh, P Lillis, D Coughlan (0-1 each).
Scorers for Limerick: J Naughton (0-3, 0-3 frees), H Bourke (0-3, 0-1 mark); C Fahy, C Downes, B Coleman (0-2 each); D O’Sullivan (0-1 ‘45), P Nash, I Corbett, B Donovan (0-1 each).
Clare
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
4: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
5: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg)
6: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
7: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
24: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
8: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
11: Emmett McMahon (Kildysart)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15: Padraic Collins (Cratloe)
Subs:
22: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg) for Brennan (inj) (HT)
9: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg) for Bohannon (40)
17: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg) for Coughlan (44)
26: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg) for Doherty (55)
23: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg) for Collins (59)
Limerick:
1: Donal O’Sullivan (Monaleen)
3: Seán O’Dea (Kilteely-Dromkeen)
4: Brian Fanning (Pallasgreen)
2: Mike Donovan (Galbally)
5: Barry Coleman (Rathkeale)
6: Iain Corbett (Newcastle West)
7: Jim Liston (Gerald Griffins)
9: Cathal Downes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
8: Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher-Broadford)
12: Paul Maher (Adare)
11: Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins)
10: Cian Sheehan (Newcastle West)
22: Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
14: Brian Donovan (Monaleen)
13: James Naughton (St Senans)
Subs:
15: Hugh Bourke (Adare) for Corbett (HT) (inj)
17: Gordon Brown (Na Piarsaigh) for Liston (50)
20: Davey Lyons (Adare) for Nash (63)
21: Tony McCarthy (Kildimo-Pallaskenry) for Maher (70)
Referee: Liam Devanney (Mayo)
