*David McInerney and Conor Cleary in action for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S SENIOR HURLERS have roared back into the championship by defeating All-Ireland champions Limerick in their own back yard.
Clare 1-24
Limerick 2-20
Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Having drawn three times in 2022 before losing the Munster final after extra time, few will complain that it is Clare who have inflicted a rare defeat on the defending Munster and All-Ireland champions Limerick.
Before an attendance of just over 30,000, the Banner side produced a stirring performance on Saturday evening to record a one point win and bounce right back into contention in Munster after a disappointing loss to Tipperary six days earlier.
This was an excellent display by Clare who could afford the luxury of some bad wides before emerging as worthy winners.
Some may argue that Limerick looked a little tired but that would be unfair on a Clare team that showed much the greater hunger for victory on the day.
Clare’s workrate was key to this victory on an evening when nine players shared in their impressive tally.
Clare simply refused to give in when Limerick piled on the pressure and the winners succeeded in limiting the contribution of such as the Morrisseys, the Caseys, Aaron Gillane, Kyle Hayes and Gearoid Hegarty after he was introduced.
Whenever Clare and Limerick clash at any level in gaelic games, there are planty of talking points and Saturday’s round 2 Munster senior hurling champonship meeting was no different.
There were strong protests by Clare that Limerick’s first half goal, scored by Seamus Flanagan in the 29th minute, should not have been allowed as they argued that the Limerick full forward was in the square.
At the other end Nickie Quaid came to his side’s aid twice, first when he saved from Tony Kelly who looked certain to score and just before half time when he deflected a Peter Duggan piledriver over the bar.
When the half time whistle sounded Limerick were ahead by the minimum, 1-10 to 0-12.
Clare started with two changes in personnell from the team named on Friday. Rory Hayes was in at corner back in place of Paul Flanagan while Ryan Taylor started with Ian Galvin losing out.
Clare started very impressively and led 0-3 to 0-0 after five minutes, two of those scores having come from team captain Tony Kelly.
At the mid point of the half Clare were still three clear with the score at 0-8 to 0-5 but the Banner side were guilty of a few wides when well positioned.
It was 0-10 to 0-7 when the home side struck a purple patch which yielded 1-3 without reply in an eleven minute spell.
Clare finished the half strongly with the last two points, leaving the minmum between the sides.
Clare again made the better start when the second half got underway and after Shane O’Donnell and Aidan McCarthy had pointed Peter Duggan struck for a goal which put the winners four points clear.
Limerick stormed back with four in a row to level and they were level twice more and this was the position with just over ren minutes remaining.
Clare went two clear again but Limerick hit back and the sides were level again at 1-20 each with five minutes remaining.
Clare then hit four in a row and led by those four as three minutes of additional time were signalled. With two of those additional minutes played Seamus Flanagan’s piledriver just crept over the line despite the best efforts of Eibhear Quilligan who made some excellent saves on the evening.
Seconds later the final whistle sounded and Clare were deserving winners of a tie which produced some great exchanges.
Clare’s next outing will be in two weeks time when they will face Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford in Thurles
Scorers; Clare; Aidan McCarthy (0-7), 4 frees, 1 ‘65; Tony Kelly (0-4) Peter Duggan (1-1); Mark Rodgers (1 line ball), David Fitzgerald (0-3) each Shane O’Donnell, Aron Shanagher (0-2) each David McInerney, Ryan Taylor (0-1) each
Limerick; Seamus Flanagan (2-1); Aaron Guillane (0-7, 6f); Diarmuid Byrnes (0-5, frees); Tom Morrissey (0-4, 1 free); Cathal O’Neill (0-2), Cian Lynch (0-1)
Clare
1: Eibhear Quilligan, Feakle
22: Rory Hayes, Wolfe Tones
3: Conor Cleary, MIltown St. Josephs
2: Adam Hogan, Feakle
5: Diarmuid Ryan, Cratloe
6: JohnConlon, Clonlara
7: David McInerney, Tulla
18: Ryan Taylor, Clooney-Quin
9: Cathal Malone, Sixmilebridge
8: David Fitzgerald, Inagh-Kilnamona
12: Aidan McCarthy, Inagh-Kilnamona
14: Shane O’Donnell, Eire Og
15: Mark Rodgers, Scariff
10: Peter Duggan, Clooney-Quin
11: Tony Kelly, Ballyea, Captain
Subs:
20: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) for Duggan (56)
19: Shane Meehan (Banner) for Rodgers (59)
4: Paul Fanagan (Ballyea) for Hogan (74)
Limerick
1: Nickie Quaid, Effin
2: Sean Finn, Bruff
3: Dan Morrissey, Ahane
4: Barry Nash, South Limerties;
5: Diarmuid Byrnes, Patrickswell
6: Declan Hannon, Adare Captain
7: Kyle Hayes, Kildimo/Pallaskenry
8: Darragh O’Donovan, Doon
9: William O’Donoghue, Na Piarsaigh
10: Cathal O’Neill, Crecora/Manister
11: Cian Lynch, Patrickswell
12: Tom Morrissey, Ahane
13: Aaron Gillane, Patrickswell
14: Seamus Flanagan, Feoghanagh/Castlemahon
15: Peter Casey, Na Piarsaigh
Subs:
22: Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patricks) for Lynch (38)
26: David Reidy (Dromin-Atlacca) for O’Donovan (43)
23: Graeme |Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for P. Casey (63)
17: Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Neill (68)
Referee: Colm Lyons, Cork
