Horan: They pushed us all over the pitch

At half-time and facing a nine-point deficit having only managed two points from play Limerick manager Maurice Horan put one simple question to his players — “what are ye doing?”

Having forged a reputation as a side comfortable taking teams on in the physical stakes, they allowed Clare run through them like the All Blacks did against Ireland that Saturday morning.

There were gaps everywhere and Gary Brennan Alan Clohessy and Gordan Kelly exposed the space to telling effect. By the time Derek Fahy blew his half-time whistle, Horan and his management team were left with an almost impossible task to salvage the game.