*Photograph: Sport Action Photography

Not even an unprecedented 17 point masterclass from Tony Kelly could prevent neighbours Limerick from securing the double boost of National League honours and a Munster Semi-Final spot in Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon.

Limerick 0-36
Clare 1-23
Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles

Kelly’s remarkable resistance ensured that Clare were locked at 0-15 to 0-15 by the break. However, Limerick’s superior threat and balance did eventually storm to the surface in the second period as backed by the conditions, they would outscore their neighbours by 0-21 to 1-08 to run out convincing victors.

In truth, with only Kelly and Shane O’Donnell remaining from Clare’s top eight that started last year’s derby with Limerick, Clare were always going to be up against it to match a well-oiled Limerick side that would flex their considerable muscles with 26 points from play stemming from 11 different scorers.

Clare’s spirited defiance eventually ran out of steam in contrast to the holders who only seemed to grow in confidence and swagger as the second half developed. Consequently, while the spoils were fully deserved, Limerick finished with eight of the last ten points to flatteringly flesh out the final margin.

It was all so different in the opening period however as the elusive Kelly caused Limerick no end of headaches to raid for 12 points and more pointedly match their opponents on eight occasions to dictate a 0-15 to 0-15 half-time stalemate.

However, that pattern would irrevocably alter immediately on the restart as a spurned Limerick set a blistering pace to pick off the first six points of the new half in just five minutes through Graeme Mulcahy, Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch and Tom Morrissey.

That foreboding blitz put clear daylight between the sides at 0-21 to 0-15. So while Clare did rally once more, inevitably through Kelly (2) along with a poacher’s goal for Ryan Taylor in the 46th minute to lessen the gap to just the minimum, Clare simply weren’t able to sustain that challenge. Instead, an angered Limerick responded with six of the next seven points to restore a six point cushion entering the final quarter.

And with Limerick’s scoring threat coming from a multitude of sources, there were just too many fires for a flagging Clare to put out as Gearoid Hegarty and Kyle Hayes in particular relished in the increasing space provided.

Indeed, with the finish line in sight, Limerick put on the afterburners with a late eight point burst to soar to back-to-back National League crowns along with a successful first defence of their Munster crown.

Clare now revert to the backdoor route whereas Limerick face All-Ireland champions Tipperary in Pairc Uí Chaoimh next Sunday at the penultimate stage of the provincial championship.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane (0-12, 9f, 1’65); Gearoid Hegarty (0-5); Tom Morrissey (0-4); Peter Casey, Kyle Hayes, Diarmaid Byrnes (0-3 each); Graeme Mulcahy (0-2); Cian Lynch, Declan Hannon, Seamus Flanagan, Pat Ryan (0-1 each)

Scorers for Clare: Tony Kelly (0-17, 9f); Ryan Taylor (1-1); Cathal Malone, Diarmuid Ryan (0-2 each); Stephen O’Halloran (0-1)

Limerick
1: Nicky Quaid (Effin)

2: Sean Finn (Bruff)
3: Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
4: Barry Nash (South Liberties)

5: Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6: Declan Hannon (Adare) (Captain)
7: Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)

8: Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
9: William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)

10: Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
11: Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
12: Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

13: Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
14: Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
15: Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)

Subs:
23: Darragh O’Donovan for T. Morrissey (57)
21: Seamus Flanagan for Casey (59)
26: Pat Ryan for Mulcahy (64)
25: David Reidy for O’Donoghue (64)
18: Jerome Boylan for Nash (72)

Clare
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

2: Jack Browne (Ballyea)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay)
18: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)

6: Patrick O’Connor (Tubber)
5: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
4: Stephen O’Halloran (Clarecastle)

8: David McInerney (Tulla) (Captain)
14: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)

10: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
11: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
12: David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)

9: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
15: Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)
13: Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin)

Subs:
20: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) for Fitzgerald (HT)
7: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Reidy (55)
19: Domhnall McMahon (Michael Cusack’s) for McInerney (63)
21: Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones) for Taylor (70)

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)

Related News

34_CCC - Boat Launch_250625
Addition of €28k rescue boat a major upgrade to fleet of Clare Civil Defence
madden furniture 1
Landmark Ennis business Madden Furniture to close this month
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship

Advertisement

Latest News
galway greyhound stadium
Double feature win for Long & Collins
micheál murray 1
Mint performance from the Murrays helps Miltown win O'Gorman Cup for second time
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
waterford v clare camogie 05-07-25 jennifer daly orla hickey 2
Waterford relievedly Rockett to last four following Clare scare
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship
Premium
éire óg vs ballyea 04-07-25 david reidy paddy smyth 1
Éire Óg retain Division 2 League title in derby decider
killaloe canal 1-2
Teenage girl 'scared & angry' after boy (14) 'humped' her from behind in Killaloe
1 DSC_9129
Clare will have 'one hell of a shot' in quarter-final with Waterford - Carmody
inagh kilnamona v clonlara 05-09-21 30 kevin hehir paraic o'loughlin
Inagh/Kilnamona chase first senior title & Clonlara aim to regain silverware
east clare memorial pat hayes
Hayes accusses Tipperary councillor of spreading 'misinformation' on Killaloe to Ballina pedestrianisation

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement