*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
Clare 3-20 Limerick 3-18
Hurling games between Clare and Limerick rarely disappoint and the latest meeting of the Shannonside neighbours was no exception. This Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league first round clash at Dr. Daly Park in Tulla this Saturday afternoon proved to be a very entertaining affair in which the teams were level on ten occasions.
A penalty goal from Mark Rodgers in the eleventh minute of ‘injury time’ settled the contest in Clare’s favour. The ‘added time’ came about following a long delay while Clare’s Jack Kirwan was been attended to after he suffered an injury in an accidental clash with an opponent.
In front of a sell out crowd on 2,000 and on a cold but dry day the sides exchanged scores regularly and the outcome was in doubt right to the final whistle. Early points from Mark Rodges and Ryan Taylor gave the home side the lead but Aidan O’Connor and Darragh Langan replied for the visitors and the teams were level for the first time after just three minute. Points were then swapped four times before the first goal arrived in the fourteenth minute, Shane Meehan finishing fine Clare move.
That lead was short lived and the sides were level again three minutes later when Donnacha O’Dalaigh pounced on a defensive error by Clare to fire home his side’s first goal. Five points in a row followed for Clare before Limerick responded with three and when the half time whistle sounded it was 1-12 to 1-10 in favour of the Bannermen.
Limerick had a dream start to the second half with O’Dalaigh firing home his and his team’s second goal. Now it was Clare’s turn to respond and that they did in style. Impressive debutant Jack Kirwan brilliantly fielded possession in the middle of he field before racing past a number of defenders and shooting to the net.
A few minutes later, he suffered injury which ended his involvement in the tie.
Points were exchanged before the visitors struck for their third goal, Fintan Fitzgerald finding the net after winning possession from an Adam English cross. Another Aidan O’Connor free levelled the tie and everything pointed to a share of the spoils.
They continued to exchange points but Clare had the final say when Rodgers converted a penalty awarded for a foul on substitute Colm O’Meara.
Jack Kirwan until injured, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes, Mark Sheedy and Mark Rodgers impressed for the Banner outfit while Cathal O’Neill, Tom Morrissey, Donnacha O’Dalaigh, and Darragh O’Donovan were prominent for Limerick
Scorers:
Clare; Mark Rodgers (1-11, 1-7 frees); Jack Kirwan (1-2) Shane Meehan (1-1); Jack O’Neill (0-2); Peter Duggan (line ball), Ryan Taylor, David Fitzgerald, Keith Smyth (0-1) each.
Limerick; Donnacha O’Dalaigh (2-2); Aidan O’Connor (0-7, 6f); Fintan Fitzgerad (1-0); Dylan O’Shea, Tom Morrissey (0-2) eaxh; Darragh Langan, John English, Peter Casey, Mattthew Fitxgerald, Shane O’Brien (0-1) each.
Clare:
1; Mark Sheedy, Sixmilebridge;
2; Shane Woods, Inagh-Kilnamona
3; Conor Cleary, Miltown St Josephs
4; Rory Hayes, Wolfe Tones
5; Eoin McMahon, St Josephs, Doora-Barefield
6; Diarmuid Ryan, Cratloe
7; John Conneally, Clooney-Quin;
8; Darragh Lohan, Wofe Tones
9; Ryan Taylor, Clooney-Quin;
10; Jack Kirwan, Parteen-Meelick
11; Jack O’Neill, Clooney-Quin
12; David Fitzgerald, Inagh-Kilnamona;
13; Shane Meehan Banner
14; Keith Smyth, Killanena
15; Mark Rodgers, Scariff;
Subs;
21; Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge) for Conneally (inj. 20)
26; Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin) for Kirwan (inj. 42)
25; Diarmuid Stritch (Clolara) for McMahon (42)
20; Collm O’Meara (Clonlara) for Smyth (59)
Limerick:
1; Collin Ryan, Pallasgreen;
2; Vince Harrington, Na Piarsaigh
3; Sean Casey, Bruff
4; Eddie Stokes, Doon;
5; Darragh Langan, Monaleen,
6; Cathal O’Neill, Crecora/Manister,
7; Dylan O’Shea, Garryspillane
8; Ethan Hurley, Newcastle West
9; Darragh O’Donovan, Doon;
10; Oisin O’Farrel, Askeaton/Ballyleen, Kilcornan,
11; Tom Morrissey, Ahane
11; John English Garryspillane;
13; Donnacha O’Dalaigh, Monaleen
14; Aidan O’Connor, Ballybrown
20; Fintan Fitzgerald |(Mungret St. Pauls)
Subs;
18; Adam English (Doon) for Hurley (half time)
24; Shane O’Brien,(Kilmallock) for O’Farrell (half time)
22; Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen) for O’Shea (35);
23; Gearoid Hegrty (St. Patricks) for Morrissey (59)
21; Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen) for O’Donovan (59)
17; Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Dalaigh (33)
25; Chris Thomas (Doon) for F. Fitzgerald (33)
19; Dara Ferland (Monaleen) for S. Casey
Referee; Conor Doyle, Tipperary;
