Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Final

LIMERICK 1-17 CLARE 1-11

By Cian O'Connell at the LIT Gaelic Grounds

This was a sweet and satisfying success for Limerick, who dictated the agenda in the second half to secure Munster minor glory.

Ultimately, Limerick overcame a shaky start to overpower Clare ensuring the green and white outfit enter the All Ireland series heartened.

One statistic capturing Limerick’s defiance and determination was the fact that Clare were restricted to three shots on goal in the 20 minutes after the restart.

Clare did plunder 1-1 in that spell to remain in touch, but it wasn’t sufficient as Limerick were sufficiently crafty to summon an instant response to Shane Meehan’s 46th minute goal.

Eddie Stokes and Aidan O’Connor were involved in the build up before Patrick O’Donovan thumped a 47th minute major to thwart the Banner.

From then until the finish all that needed to be determined was Limerick’s margin of victory as Diarmuid Mullins’ charges confidently closed the deal.

A tight opening period featured an important burst in the 10 minutes before the break from Limerick, who struck seven of the last nine scores to lead at the turnaround by 0-9 to 0-7.

Initially Clare, with Jarlath Collins operating in a deep lying role, had enjoyed a productive start with Fergal Lynch’s team moving smartly.

Tony Butler, Shane Meehan, and Diarmaid Cahill all lofted over points from play as the Banner led by 0-5 to 0-2 in the 17th minute.

Limerick, though, prompted by the splendid Cathal O’Neill, who struck four points on the spin, came thundering back to hit the front.

Killian O’Connor restored parity in the 25th minute, but Limerick concluded the first half strongly as Patrick O’Donovan, Adam English, and O’Neill (free) raised white flags.

It followed a similar pattern when the action recommenced with Limerick restricting Clare to move four points clear by the end of the third quarter.

A flash of class from Meehan narrowed the gap to the minimum when the corner forward blasted a brilliant goal, but Limerick replied reeling off 1-2 without reply.

O’Donovan made the Clare net dance and further points from Aidan O’Connor and Patrick Reale extended Limerick’s advantage.

Clare continued to battle, but Limerick had already answered the questions that mattered.

Scorers for Limerick: Cathal O’Neill 0-9 (6fs), Patrick O’Donovan 1-1, Aidan O’Connor 0-3, Adam English and Patrick Reale 0-2 each.

Scorers for Clare: Shane Meehan 1-2 (1f), Conner Hegarty and Cian Galvin (2fs) 0-2 each, Killian O’Connor, Tony Butler, Cormac Murphy, Keith Smyth, and Diarmaid Cahill 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Jack Franklin; Adam Murrihy, Ronan Lyons, Fergal O’Connor; Jimmy Quilty, Ethan Hurley, Colin Coughlan; Patrick Kirby, Patrick Reale; Adam English, Cathal O’Neill, Eddie Stokes; Aidan O’Connor, Patrick O’Donovan, Liam Lynch.

Subs: Diarmuid Hegarty for Lynch (58), Michael Cremin for O’Donovan (60), Cian Casey for Stokes (60+2), Conor Hanley Clarke for English (60+4).

CLARE: Aaron Shanahan; Storm Devanney Adam Hogan, Oisin O’Donnell; Colm O’Meara, Cian Galvin, Tony Butler; Cormac Murphy, Oisin Clune; Killian O’Connor, Conner Hegarty, Dylan Downes; Jarlath Collins, Shane Meehan, Diarmaid Cahill.

Subs: Sean Ronan for Cahill (43), Keith Smyth for Murphy (47).

REFEREE: Nathan Wall (Cork).