Munster Senior Hurling Championship

LIMERICK 2-20 CLARE 1-24

By Tom Clancy, TUS Gaelic Grounds

Clare ended Limerick’s 11 game unbeaten run in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, with a stunning, narrow victory over their neighbours at TUS Gaelic Grounds. It is a first loss since Tipperary defeated Limerick in June 2019, while Limerick last tasted championship defeat to Kilkenny in the same summer.

After two cracking contests between the pair in 2022, Clare were eager to turn the tables on their familiar foes.

Substitute Aron Shanagher proved the hero, landing two fine scores in injury time to push Clare foUr clear. Despite a fine Seamus Flanagan goal on 73 minutes, Brian Lohan’s side held on to bounce back following a home loss to Tipperary last weekend.

Before an attendance of 30,460, Clare edged a typically frenetic Munster championship game.

The visitors were shaper from the blocks, with Tony Kelly scoring twice inside five minutes. There was a first Limerick score from Tom Morrissey on seven minutes. The Treaty had been denied an early goal when Seamus Flanagan drew a fine save from Eibhear Quilligan after just 12 seconds.

Mark Rodgers and Aidan McCarthy continued to keep the Banner in front, but Aaron Gillane and Seamus Flanagan were soon on target for the four-in-a-row Munster champions.

Kelly had a glorious opportunity for the opening goal, racing onto a long delivery, only for his low effort to be saved by superbly Nickie Quaid, onto the post. The rebound was cleared for a 65 by Barry Nash, which Aidan McCarthy slotted over to put Clare three clear.

The first time Limerick went ahead was when Flanagan scored a goal from close range. After good work from Cathal O’Neill, the Crecora-Manister man pulled the ball across the square for the full-forward to flick to the net.

But Limerick closed the half in strong fashion, as frees from Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane but them three clear.

Points from Ryan Taylor and Peter Duggan narrowed the gap at half-time, with the latter denied a green flag by the impressive Quaid.

Shane O’Donnell pulled Clare level with the opening score of the second half, the first time the sides had been level since the throw-in.

The crucial Clare goal, on 40 minutes came from Duggan who had too much power for the Limerick keeper. Clare were strong in the middle third with fine showings from David Fitzgerald and John Conlon.

John Kiely’s side were wasteful, hitting a total of 15 wides, but they were level down the stretch thanks to a routine Gillane free. With it 1-20 each in stoppage time, four Banner scores pushed them clear.

Shane O’Donnell, Kelly and that Shanagher brace opened a two score game – it was needed as Limerick replied with Flanagan’s second.

Clare held on for a memorable evening at the Ennis Road ground.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 0-7 (0-6 frees); Seamus Flanagan 2-1; Diarmaid Byrnes 0-5 (0-5 frees); Tom Morrissey 0-4 (0-1 free); Cathal O’Neill 0-2; Cian Lynch 0-1.

Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-7 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65); Tony Kelly 0-4; Peter Duggan 1-1, Mark Rodgers 0-3 (0-1 s/l); David McInerney, David Fitzgerald, Shane O’Donnell, Aron Shanagher 0-2 each; Ryan Taylor 0-1.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon ©, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O’Donovan, William O’Donoghue; Cathal O’Neill, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Peter Casey. Subs: Mike Casey for Finn (half-time, inj), Gearoid Hegarty for Lynch (38 mins), Graeme Mulcahy for P. Casey (63 mins), Conor Boylan for (70 mins).

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Aidan McCarthy; Ryan Taylor, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers. Subs: Paul Flanagan for Hayes (temp - 33-34), Aron Shanagher for Duggan (60 mins), Shane Meehan for Rodgers (64), Flanagan for Hogan (64).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)