Munster SHC: Clare overcome Limerick

Munster SHC Round Five

Clare 3-20 Limerick 0-24

By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds

Clare ended their season with a Shannonside derby victory over Limerick. Despite the loss, Limerick advance to the Munster final, where they will host Cork on Saturday June 7.

A brace of second half goals from Ryan Taylor added nicely to the opening half goal from Mark Rodgers, to give Clare enough for a second win of 2025 – the other a League success also away to Limerick.

It also ensures that Clare don’t finish bottom of the round-robin, leapfrogging Waterford, in what is their first time failing to progress as one of the three sides in the competition.

This was Clare’s final game as All Ireland holders, with pride and local rivalry their main motivation having already exited the Championship. The Banner gave Shane O’Donnell a start, while they too shuffled the deck including Rory Hayes and ‘keeper Eamon Foudy.

After last weeks heroics against Cork, John Kiely took the chance to make a plethora of changes. He gave first starts of the campaign to Declan Hannon, Darragh O’Donovan and Séamus Flanagan – while Shane Dowling made a return to Championship hurling in goals. The Na Piarsaigh man making a first appearance in the Championship since the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final.

Kiely may have been frustrated by some aspects of this performance, as they struggled to sew together the passes that make them so devastating at times.

This game certainly didn’t reach the heights we expect at this level, but there was certainly moments of class. Aided by a strong wind, Clare eventually found their form and would lead 1-13 to 0-10 at the break.

Among the scorers were Tony Kelly, Cathal Malone and Mark Rodgers. The pacy Scariff attacker Rodgers, linked well with Peter Duggan for the games opening goal, collecting and drilling low beyond Dowling.

Before that, Limerick had some good moments. Diarmaid Byrnes, Flanagan and Gearoid Hegarty were all on target, and by the time the half ended these famous rivals had been level four times, until that Rodgers goal.

From the 26th minute green flag to the half-time whistle Clare dominated and a second Peter Duggan sideline cut gave their loyal supporters who travelled something to smile about.

Aided by the breeze in the second half, the home side were dealt a blow when Ryan Taylor cut in after receiving a Mark Rodgers pass before dispatching to the net.

It opened a ten point lead. Limerick did bring this back with six points on the trot, including fine efforts from subs Adam English and Cathal O’Neill, but they were pushed back by a 66th minute goal from Ryan Taylor, who finished high to the net to seal the points for the Banner.

Scorers for Clare: Mark Rodgers 1-8 (7fs), Ryan Taylor 2-1, Tony Kelly 0-3, Peter Duggan (0-2 s/l), David Reidy, Cathal Malone 0-2 each, Rory Hayes, Shane Meehan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Tom Morrissey 0-7 (5fs), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-4 (2fs), Cathal O’Neill 0-3, Seamus Flanagan, Gearoid Hegarty, Peter Casey 0-2 each, Adam English, Barry Nash, Aidan O’Connor, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh 0-1 each.Clare: Eamon Foudy; Adam Hogan, Darragh Lohan, Rory Hayes; Cian Galvin, John Conlon David McInerney; Ryan Taylor, Cathal Malone; Jack O’Neill, Mark Rodgers, Tony Kelly; Shane O’Donnell, Peter Duggan, David Reidy.

Subs: Daithí Lohan for Darragh Lohan (inj – 13); Ian Galvin for Reidy (60); Diarmuid Ryan for McInerney (64); Shane Meehan for O’Donnell (66); Aron Shanagher for Duggan (67).Limerick: Shane Dowling; Barry Murphy, Dan Morrissey, Michael Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Colin Coughlan; Darragh O’Donovan, William O’Donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty, Cathal O’Neill, Tom Morrissey; Séamus Flanagan, Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey.

Subs: Barry Nash for Mike Casey (temp 32 - 34); Adam English for O’Donovan (44); Barry Nash for Murphy (50); Aidan O’Connor for O’Brien (52); David Reidy for Byrnes (59); Donnacha Ó Dálaigh for Flanagan (61); Patrick O’Donovan for P Casey (66).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).