Diarmaid Byrnes is put under pressure by Shane O’Donnell and Peter Duggan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S SUPPORTERS added an “intimidating” dimension to the Gaelic Grounds which helped them in overcoming All-Ireland champions Limerick, full-forward Peter Duggan maintained.
Prior to Saturday’s tie with Limerick, Duggan felt it was a do or die contest. Given that their aspirations took a dent with the opening round loss to Tipperary, he knew there was little room for error.
It is a very positive step in the right direction for Brian Lohan’s charges, the 2018 All Star acknowledged. “Look we had to perform , we had to go at it especially after last week. We made loads of mistakes and we didn’t perform to our capabilities so we had to rectify that tonight and thankfully we did. But we have to push on now. It’s only two points on the board and we will need a lot more than two points to advance. It’s always good to get any victory in the Munster Championship. It’s not easy out there but we have to continue in this vein”.
Winning a championship game in Limerick City for the first time since 1901 and defeating the Treaty County in championship for the first time since 2018 was very pleasing, the Clooney/Quin man admitted. “You have to be proud. We love our hurling. Look at the smiles on people’s faces. We had two unbelievable battles last year with Limerick so we had to get it over the line there tonight”.
Were it not for Nickie Quaid between the posts, Clare’s winning margin would have been far greater than a single point. “Yeah it shows that we are a really good side winning here tonight. It now gives us momentum and if we can push on from here who knows where it will bring us”.
Physical contests are to be embraced, Peter felt. “I love this split season stuff. I can tell you this I much prefer to be playing matches than training. But seriously though it was intense out there . Some of the hits were incredible but I love that sort of thing. I find the system now where you know when and who you’re playing for club and county is brilliant. It’s great craic to be involved in these big battles.
“I’m just delighted we performed for our fans. They were brilliant there tonight. At times they were so loud it was intimidating and I love that. It makes you want to give everything you can. There’s nothing like championship hurling to get the blood flowing. The Clare supporters are like a sixteenth man for us,” he added.
