A strong finish to both halves propelled Limerick to a first Munster MHC title since 2014 in today’s curtain-raiser.

Limerick led for most of the game and were thoroughly deserving of their winning margin over a Clare side that had Shane Meehan as their star performer.

A traditional rivalry exists between both these counties but it was not on display in what turned out to be a rather tame affair with neither outfit setting the world alight.

Late points from Conner Hegarty, Dylan Downes and Keith Smyth saw Clare over the line in a tight and tense curtain raiser in Walsh Park that was level seven times.