*Ian MacNamara in action for the Clare U20 hurlers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
KILLANENA’S IAN MACNAMARA captained UL’s Fresher Hurlers to an All-Ireland league title on Tuesday night with eight Clare hurlers featuring over the hour.
There was a strong Clare contingent behind the University of Limerick’s latest success on the hurling field with the side managed once again by Joe McGrath who steered them to All-Ireland glory last year.
Held in Clonad on a bitterly cold December evening, UL recorded a 1-19 0-13 win over Dublin City University.
It is the third year in row that UL have claimed the All-Ireland league but their focus will soon switch to completing a double with the championship to be held after Christmas.
MacNamara who was recently added to Brian Lohan’s Clare senior hurling panel captained the side from full-back while his clubmate Keith Smyth had a storming showing at the other edge of the square, finishing with 1-06 to his name, 1-02 of which came from play.
There was a Banner duo at midfield with Clooney/Quin’s John Conneally partnering Harty Cup winning captain Ronan O’Connor of Feakle in the centre of the field.
Bright prospect Sean Rynne of Inagh/Kilnamona a former Clare minor captain started at centre forward with Ogonnelloe’s Gearoid Sheedy lining out at wing forward.
Both Rory O’Connell of Clarecastle and O’Callaghans Mills’ Colm Cleary scored a point each on their introduction from the bench.
