McCarthy experiment reaps rewards

CLARE’S strong second-half showing in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday just fell short of redeeming a situation where they conceded three goals in a short period before the break.

It presented Limerick’s new manager Justin McCarthy and his experimental team with a more encouraging start to the Allianz NHL than they might have anticipated after being stretched to the limit over the last quarter and being fortunate to see Clare substitute John Conlon miss the chance of an equaliser in injury time.

After a very competitive opening 25 minutes, during which scores were level six times, Limerick were given the perfect boost when the returning Andrew O’Shaughnessy hit a cracking goal from a 27th minute penalty. And, while a six-point lead immediately afterwards might have appeared flattering, the home side actually went to their dressing room with an 11-point advantage (3-9 to 0-7).

McCarthy acknowledged the importance of their goals (Wayne McNamara getting the second and O’Shaughnessy bagging the other), saying: “they were crucial as the game went on.’’ He added: “it’s important that we win our home games. Every team is going to be going flat out.’’

For his part, Mike McNamara was philosophical, recalling that in the corresponding game last year Clare came out with “a nine or ten points drubbing and were going ‘no place”.

“The goals were a bit of a setback, but we can’t complain an awful lot,’’ he added. “We got some of those goals fortuitously in the championship.”

Clare started with Barry Nugent in the right corner in place of Niall Gilligan, who twisted his ankle on Saturday. Early on defences on both sides were on top, although it was noteworthy that from a Clare perspective Tony Griffin was making a lot of headway at centre-forward. Not unexpectedly, Limerick moved Seamus Hickey in from the wing and he was able to cope better with the challenge.

Limerick’s forwards weren’t threatening as much, but they promised more once O’Shaughnessy started to penetrate in the right corner. And, encouragingly for the management, both midfielders, Donal O’Grady and Paul Browne contributed on the scoreboard.

As the game progressed, Limerick gained more ground around the middle and it was a long ball from O’Grady which led to their first goal eight minutes from the break.

The second, which came in the 35th minute, followed a handling error by Philip Brennan when he dropped the ball. And, even more frustratingly for them, O’Shaughnessy’s injury time goal came from a free in the middle of the field which was awarded against Brendan Bugler – after he fouled the ball before pointing, leaving the half-time score at 3-9 to 0-7.

Limerick’s lead was stretched to 12 points within a minute of the resumption through debutante full-forward Davie Breen and they were to be glad of the cushion it gave them.

The Banner hit five points without reply before Breen scored again in the 50th minute and, in the remaining 20 minutes all that Limerick could muster was two further points.

Clare’s second half substitute Diarmuid McMahon made a major impact, nominally playing at wing-forward, but dropping back a lot to midfield to win valuable possession.

Colin Lynch, at 35 playing in his 13th campaign, was also more involved, Jonathan Clancy had more to offer at midfield after swapping positions and while Griffin was subdued, Tony Carmody emerged as their most potent forward apart from free-taker Colin Ryan.

Further back, the defence was much tighter, with Gerry Quinn dominant in the centre and Conor Plunkett more effective at full-back – while Gerry O’Grady and Pat Vaughan formed a strong right flank. Interestingly, Breen was taken off by Limerick with ten minutes remaining, McCarthy explaining he had only flew in from Edinburgh on Saturday.

A 53rd minute goal from Colin Ryan which brought Clare back into serious contention and, with six minutes on the clock they had the margin down to a single score. However, Nugent failed with an attempt at goal from a 20 metre free after O’Shaughnessy got a vital score for Limerick, that was how the game finished.

Scorers for Limerick: A O’Shaughnessy 2-5 (1-4f); W McNamara 1-0; D Breen 0-3; O’Grady and P Browne 0-2 each; S Hickey 0-1.

Scorers for Clare: C Ryan 1-5; T Carmody (0-1f), B Nugent (0-1f) and T Griffin 0-3 each; D McMahon 0-2; A Markham and P Donnellan 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, T Condon; S Walsh, G O’Mahony, S Hickey; D O’Grady, P Browne; B O’Sullivan, M O’Brien, W McNamara; A O’Shaughnessy D Breen, R McCarthy. Subs: K Tobin for Walsh, 34; J O’Brien for O’Grady, 42; P Tobin for McCarthy, 49; D Moloney for Hickey, 59; P McNamara for Breen, 60.

CLARE: P Brennan; G O’Grady, C Plunkett, C McMahon; P Vaughan, G Quinn, P Donnellan; B Bugler, C Lynch; T Carmody, T Griffin, J Clancy; B Nugent, A Markham, C Ryan.

Subs: D McMahon for Bugler; J Conlon for Nugent, 61.

Referee: C McAllister (Cork).