EARLIER THIS MONTH, Cusack Park served up a thrilling Munster Championship encounter between Limerick and Clare with a draw confirming both sides will meet again in the Munster final.
The titanic battle saw talisman Tony Kelly land 16 of Clare’s 24-point tally in what Darach Honan described as “one of the great individual performances we have seen” from him. While all reports on the day indicated a jovial atmosphere between Clare and Limerick fans in Cusack Park – and indeed on the streets of Ennis – it appears some diehard Limerick fans are struggling to accept that Clare put the All-Ireland champions to the pin of their collar.
Limerick comments
As part of The Clare Echo’s analysis of the game, columnist and All-Ireland winner Honan noted that Limerick were awarded frees “a lot easier” early in the game. A selection of Limerick fans took issue with the Clonlara man’s opinion, one commentator calling him a “dope” alongside emojis of the Limerick flag and a bicep.
Another commented “he must be Stevie Wonder in disguise”, referencing the blind musician with another claiming that Clare “drew with half our team. Great moral victory in that for ye Darach, The Munster final will be some crack that’s all I’ll say.”
A lively Clare Echo reader named David Sexton added, “The wide expanse of Thurles will suit the skills of Limerick and I predict a 10 point victory,” adding “to realistically think that Clare have a chance against Limerick in Munster final is laughable, Mark my words!!!” A Clare supporter noted that Cusack Park is wider than Semple.
A prediction from a William Massey said Clare are a “great bunch of divers for feigning injuries and having a ref on your panel but you shall see who will be on top when they meet again – Limerick by 12”. Tim Casey concurred, “Clare had their chance to beat Limerick they won’t get s second shout. This will be a [sic] easy win for Limerick”.
A Kenneth Malone quipped, “Tony Kelly v Limerick should be a great Munster final” while a female reader named Eileen Sheehy wrote, “Limerick should get the majority of tickets as they are champions and will be again … must be a sympathy vote for Clare forcing their fans to watch them being annihilated.”
However one male reader lamented bad blood in the Shannonside rivalry, writing in our comments section, “Well wherever it started it’s sad, I was alongside a Clare man with his son who was no more than 7 with his little Clare flag and to hear what came out of that man’s mouth in front of his young lad was sad, And yes I saw Limerick lads also spouting shite out of their mouths, It’s gone nasty and it’s very very sad.”
Clare comments
Clare fans generally had a favourable review of the game with one arguing the referee let the game flow, however noting that he believed the Hegarty sending off decision was incorrect.
Clare will take on Limerick in the Munster final at Semple Stadium in Thurles on June 5.
