Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
LIMERICK proved too strong for Clare’s senior hurlers in the first meeting of the neighbours this year.
Limerick 1-27
Clare 2-18
Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
In what was the first real litmus test of Clare’s hurlers this year, they didn’t come out with first class honours, instead falling to a six point defeat at the hands of the All-Ireland champions.
It goes without saying that this February tie will have little complexion on the overall summary of Clare’s year but the gap that existed between the two sides was far bigger than what the final scoreline suggested.
Debutant Micheál Houlihan excelled for John Kiely’s side, finishing the evening with 0-12 to his name. He was part of a half-forward line that really troubled Clare with Cian Lynch and Gearoid Hegarty scoring one and two points respectively. With their midfield duo of Darragh O’Donovan and Adam English dropping deep, it created an ocean of space in front of the trio which they duly capitalised on, pointing from distance and weaving passes together with superb off the shoulder running.
Inside the opening quarter, Limerick led 0-10 0-04 as Clare demonstrated an inability to get to the pitch of the game. A glimmer of hope then arrived when Peter Duggan batted a high delivery onto the path of Ian Galvin who nestled the sliotar past Nickie Quaid, automatically reducing the gap to three points.
David Fitzgerald then converted from an acute angle but Clare didn’t build on this bounce with Limerick closing out the half with six of the next eight scores, Brian Lohan’s side crucially leaving their full-forward line starved of possession.
On the restart, it was all one way traffic with Limerick hitting a rally of 0-07 without reply into the Cratloe end of the Gaelic Grounds.
The jig was well and truly up at this stage but to their credit the visitors would finish with 2-10 in the final ten minutes of normal time and additional time, substitute David Reidy adding a much needed lease of life.
While nothing was at stake in the contest, the hope underlying Clare’s League is to find new players that will make the step up to championship and in this regard few fresh options stuck their hand up. Aidan McCarthy showed despite missing all of last year’s championship that he was still at the high standard set in previous years, Reidy showed what he brings to the table.
Getting overly upset over the result is a waste of energy as much bigger days are on the horizon. Getting to the level required for such occasions is the main test for Lohan, his management and panel of players.
For Limerick, it’s a statement, they parachuted back with a bang after last weekend’s one point defeat to Cork and the injection of new blood plus returning faces like Cian Lynch and Peter Casey strengthen the already mighty Green Machine. Houlihan, Kyle Hayes, Darragh O’Donovan and Cian Lynch were to the fore for John Kiely’s men.
Scorers Limerick: Micheál Houlihan 0-12 (8 frees), Donnacha Ó Daláigh 1-0, Peter Casey and Kyle Hayes 0-3 each, Gearoid Hegarty, Shane O’Brien Adam English and Tom Morrissey 0-2 each, Cian Lynch 0-1
Scorers Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-13 (9 frees), David Reidy 1-2, Ian Galvin 1-0, David Fitzgerald, Seadna Morey and Diarmuid Ryan 0-1 each
Limerick:
1: Nickie Quaid (Effin)
2: Sean Finn (Bruff)
3: Richie English (Doon)
4: Fergal O’Connor (Effin)
17: Ciaran Barry (Ahane)
6: Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
7: Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
8: Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
9: David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
10: Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
11: Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
12: Micheál Houlihan (Kilmallock)
13: Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock)
14: Seamus Flanagan (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon)
15: Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh).
Subs:
20: Adam English (Doon) for Reidy (7) (inj)
19: Aaron Costello (Kilmallock) for O’Connor (31) (inj)
24: Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen) for O’Brien (51)
21: Tom Morrissey (Ahane) for Hegarty (52)
22: Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for Lynch (57)
26: Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock) for Hayes (65)
16: David McCarthy (Glenore)
5: Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown)
18: Ronan Connolly (Adare)
23: Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown)
25: Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: David McInerney (Tulla)
7: Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: David Conroy (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
15: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
12: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
13: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
14: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
Subs:
22: Robin Mounsey (Ruan) for Donnellan (30)
26: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle) for Fitzgerald (48)
20: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) for Galvin (48)
23: David Reidy (Éire Óg) for Rodgers (56)
18: Conor Leen (Corofin) for D Fitzgerald (58)
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
