David Fitzgerald, Clare, and Ethan Hurley, Limerick, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Clare 1-21 Limerick 0-21
By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds
A David Reidy rocket was ultimealty the difference as Clare registered their first victory of the 2025 season, in an enthralling contest at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
Winless in their opening three contests, Brian Lohan’s men delivered a decent performance and with it gave a boost to their survival hopes in Division 1A.
This was the first meetings of the counties since the 2024 Munster final, with all three major honours won by the Shannonside rivals last season.
Reidy’s goal, in the third quarter gave Clare a lead they wouldn’t relinquish – while Diarmaid Byrnes was sent off late in the contest by referee Thomas Walsh, with a straight red card.
It is a first defeat for Limerick, who now have three points from their three outings to date.
In a somewhat frantic opening, the sides shared six points early on. David Reidy, Shane O’Brien and Aaron Gillane all on target with Sean Rynne and then Aidan McCarthy, two frees, accounting for the Banners early scores.
Aaron Gillane caught a Diarmaid Byrnes free and one-handed, struck for goal only to see his effort deflect clear off the crossbar. It was a second goal chance for Limerick, after Eibhear Quilligan had denied O’Brien inside 40 seconds.
There was a second from Sean Rynne for Clare, who were looking to avoid an unexpected fourth defeat on the trot. They had fine contributions too from Jack O’Neill who arrowed over while Tony Kelly pointed from long range.
For the men in green, Gillane looked a real threat, but his colleagues weren’t playing with as much attacking threat as they are used to.
The sides were level for a fourth time in the opening half, at 0-7 apiece, but from here Clare went on a run. David Fitzgerald was accurate twice inside 45 seconds, before the impressive O’Neill and Aidan McCarthy (free) extended the lead. Aaron Gillane and O’Neill traded scores late in quick succession.
By half-time it was 0-12 to 0-9 with the final say going to Aidan O’Connor – in as a blood replacement for Adam English.
A run of four Reidy, Barry Nash and captain Cian Lynch got Limerick level before O’Brien got them in front.
However, this was short lived as Clare hit the front when their own David Reidy, buried low to the corner. The visitors maintained this advantage with points from Cathal Malone and Cian Galvin while Nash and Byrnes both doubled their tally in reply.
Darragh Lohan did well on 50 minutes to deny Gillane with a block – the Patrickswell man hunting an equalising goal. Byrnes was sent off in the 64th minute.
Reidy thought he had a second goal but was halted with a square ball infraction. In the closing stages, Limerick had late points from brothers Aaron Gillane and Jason Gillane (two frees) but were guilty of wasting too many goal chances.
Despite failing to score from the 60th minute, Clare had enough to ignite their 2025 campaign.
Limerick welcome Galway to the Ennis Road venue next weekend, while Clare host Cork, on home soil.
Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-7 (6fs), Sean Rynne, Jack O’Neill, Tony Kelly 0-3 each, David Reidy 1-0, David Fitzgerald 0-2, Cathal Malone, Cian Galvin, Mark Rodgers 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 0-8 (6fs), David Reidy, Shane O’Brien; Aidan O’Connor; Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes (1 ‘65); Jason Gillane (2fs) each, Cian Lynch 0-1.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Darragh Lohan, Conor Leen; Cian Galvin, John Conlon, Cathal Malone; Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor; Jack O’Neill, David Fitzgerald, Sean Rynne; Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy, Mark Rodgers.
Subs: Shane Meehan for Reidy (56), Paddy Donnellan for McCarthy (68), Aron Shanagher for Fitzgerald (70).
Limerick: Jason Gillane; Barry Murphy, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Ethan Hurley, Colin Coughlan; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Eddie Stokes, David Reidy, Cathal O'Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O'Brien, Seamus Flanagan.
Subs: Aidan O’Connor for English (blood 34 - HT), Aidan O’Connor for Stokes (HT), Patrick O’Donovan for Flanagan (51), Tom Morrissey for O’Neill (59), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh for O’Biren (66), Vince Harrington for Nash (66).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
