*Clare’s Colm Breen. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’S U20 footballers made it three wins from three to round out their phase one campaign with a one hundred percent record.
Clare 2-11
Limerick 0-10
Venue: Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale
Though victors by a seven point margin, Clare certainly didn’t have it all their own way. Limerick may have had nothing to play for with their fate sealed before the game but they fought to the last and the hosts really wanted to finish their campaign on a flourish.
Having overcome Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick, Clare now have a six day turnaround before beginning phase two when they welcome Cork to Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty on Thursday evening. They’ll renew rivalries with the Déise in the second round in another home fixture before travelling to Tralee to take on Kerry.
Originally fixed for Mountcollins, the game was moved to Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale and Limerick played with the aid of the breeze, Clare were fortunate to lead 0-10 0-6 by the interval.
Limerick had dominated midfield, controlled the middle third and won ninety percent of the breaks but there was two primary reasons why the vistors were ahead at half time. In defence, Clare were marvellous, particularly the Lissycasey duo of Aaron Killeen and Michael Kelly on the left flank, the whole back six showed outstanding movement and were excellent at blocking down their opponents.
At the other end of the field, Seán Fennell brought his shooting boots from Kilrush with him and kicked eight points in the opening half, including three two pointers. His shots were from central positions 50m from goal but he was not afraid to take on the opportunity when it came his way. Daire Culligan and Donncha O’Dwyer also chipped in with scores to leave Clare four points clear at the interval.
Determination shown by Limerick was to be commended and they piled on the pressure in the second half.
It took Clare twenty six minutes into the second half to register a score, by which Limerick had kicked three points to reduce the arrears to a single point.
Evan Cahill made a fine up the middle of the field before popping to Daire Culligan who unleashed a bullet to the roof of Cian Purcell’s net for the first goal; of the game.
Goal number two arrived a minute later when Diarmuid McMahon was pulled down for a penalty, Purcell denied Culligan with the initial effort but the captain was alert to follow up and tap the rebound to the net. The last score of the game was converted by Culligan in injury time to see Clare record a 2-11 0-10 victory.
This was the first of Clare’s championship outings that they were well beaten in the middle third. It had been where Clare hurt opposing teams but they struggled on Friday evening in the air and on the breaks around the middle of the field. Clare also struggled to supply their dangerous duo of Culligan and McMahon with Diarmuid having to drift out the field in search of possession.
Dermot Coughlan and his management will be pleased with how well their back six fared and once again the shooting ability of Seán Fennell was evident to see.
Midfielder Evan Curry and wing back Conor Ó Longaigh excelled for the home side.
Scorers Clare: S Fennell (0-8 3TP), D Culligan (2-2), D O’Dwyer (0-1).
Scorers Limerick: C Kiely (0-4 4f), A Kearney (0-2 TPf), C O lONGAIGH (0-1), P Phelan (0-1), C Costelloe (0-1), M Mulcahy (0-1)
Clare:
1: Harry O’Gorman (Cooraclare)
2: Aidan Weaver (Lissycasey)
6: Diarmuid Boyle (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
4: Aaron Killeen (Lissycasey)
5: Daniel Brody (Ennistymon)
3: Stephen Murphy (St Joseph’s Miltown)
7: Michael Kelly (Lissycasey)
8: Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
9: Seán Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
12: Donncha O’Dwyer (St Breckans)
11: Colm Breen (Corofin)
10: Darragh Townsend (Cooraclare)
13: Diarmuid McMahon (Lissycasey)
14: Daire Culligan (Lissycasey)
15: Ruben Fallon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs:
20: Seán O’Dea (Cooraclare) for Fallon (51)
23: Seanan Kirby (Corofin) for Cahill (60)
Limerick;
1: Cian Purcell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
2: Cian O’Sullivan (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
3: Owen Dee (Cappagh)
4: Danny McCarthy (Fr. Caseys)
5: Paudie Hennessy (Camogue Rovers,
6: Andrew Kearney (Monaleen)
7: Conor O Longaigh (Mungret St Paul’s)
8: Sean Holland (South Liberties)
9: Evan Curry (Athea)
10: Barry Griffin (Monaleen)
11: Padraic Phelan (Pallasgreen0
12: Cian Costelloe (Cappagh)
13: Callum Kiely (Claughaun)
14: Andrew Lyons (Newcastle West)
15: Darragh O’Carroll (Cappagh)
Subs:
19: Liam Glynn (Ahane) for Holland (15) (inj)
18: Dermot Colgan (Ballysteen) for P Hennessy (43)
24: Aidan O’Shea (Cappagh) for Lyons (43)
23: Michael Mulcahy (St Senan’s) for O’Carroll (52)
Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford)
