Limerick v Clare
Munster SHC Final
LIMERICK 1-23 CLARE 1-22
By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds
Limerick secured their 24th Munster title, and five in as many seasons, with a one-point win over familiar foes Clare. The result avenges their one-point defeat to the Banner in April, at the same venue. Late points from Cathal O’Neill pushed Limerick clear and despite a Tony Kelly score, the Banner couldn’t find the levelling score.
Limerick become only the second county to achieve that remarkable five-in-a-row in the province, matching the Cork side of 1975 -1979. John Kiely has now overseen five Munster successes, three league titles and four All Ireland wins since taking charge in 2017 – all without losing any of the 12 finals they have contested.
Over 43,000 supporters attended a sold-out TUS Gaelic Grounds, there was a jovial and excited crowd in situ long before referee Liam Gordon threw the ball in. These sides played a classic in Thurles 12 months ago, with Limerick needing extra-time to defeat their neighbours on that occasion.
In a frantic clash, it was Clare who looked the sharper early on – able to find space in the Limerick defence, with Aidan McCarthy and Tony Kelly prominent. When the space wasn’t there, there was efforts from Diarmuid Ryan and Cathal Malone from distance.
Trailing to the opening pair of Limerick points, four on the trot put Clare into the ascendancy.
It was an opening half where Aaron Gillane led the Limerick charge, with seven points, including two from play. He was assisted by Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes.
The opening goal arrived on 31 minutes as a Kelly shot from halfway, rebounded off the upper post. Rodgers was sharpest on the break and tidied it up with a nice finish from close range.
Clare went for another goal as half-time approached, with Ryan Taylor passing to Rodgers, who had is effort saved by Nickie Quaid.
Gillane pointed late in the half, as the Banner led 1-11 to 0-11 at half-time.
Aaron Gillane of Limerick celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Munster GAA Hurling Championship Final match between Clare and Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile.
Limerick took control in the third quarter, with Aaron Gillane’s goal crucial. He collected a David Reidy delivery before bouncing a shot beyond Eibhear Quilligan. The Feakle stopper denied Gillane another moments later but Reidy and Morrissey kept the scoreboard moving.
Trailing by five, 1-19 to 1-14 with 15 to play, Lohan’s men were able to inch back into the contest, with David Fitzgerald and Ian Galvin getting points. But Limerick always held the late lead and sub O’Neill pushed them two clear in stoppage time. The champions held on despite the Clare pressure.
For Clare they face into an All-Ireland quarter-final against the winner of Carlow and Dublin, who meet next weekend. The champions will break until Saturday July 8th, when they play the All-Ireland semi-final.
Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-11 (0-8 frees); Tom Morrissey, David Reidy 0-3 each; Cathal O’Neill 0-2; Darragh O’Donovan, Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Adam English 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: Tony Kelly 0-6 (0-2 frees); Mark Rodgers 1-2; Aidan McCarthy 0-4 (0-3 frees); Shane O’Donnell, David Fitzgerald, Ian Galvin 0-2 each; Cathal Malone, Diarmuid Ryan, Ryan Taylor, Aron Shanagher 0-1 each.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid, Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon (C), Kyle Hayes; Darragh O’Donovan, William O’Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey; Graeme Mulcahy, Seamus Flanagan, Aaron Gillane.
Subs: Peter Casey for Mulcahy (47), Colin Coughlan for Hannon (55), Richie English for M. Casey (57), Cathal O’Neill for T. Morrissey (57), Adam English for O’Donovan (blood 62 – 63), Adam English for Flanagan (65).
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Cian Nolan, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Aidan McCarthy; Ryan Taylor, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers.
Subs: Shane Meehan for McCarthy (45), Seadna Morey for Nolan (50), Aaron Shanagher for Duggan (57), Ian Galvin for Meehan (65), Paul Flanagan for Hayes (68).
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway).
