O’Grady relieves the pressure

TRIUMPH for Donal O’Grady’s Limerick in this Allianz Hurling League Division Two opener in Ennis yesterday, disaster for Clare and their manager, Ger O’Loughlin.

Unbeaten during the regular rounds last year, denied promotion only after a surprise loss to Wexford in the playoff, Clare were again expected to dominate the section this season.

Limerick too were expected to figure in the final shakeup but given the turmoil in the county last year which saw them failing to win a competitive match after being shorn of the services of over 20 of their top players, this one was expected to be too big a test too early.