First-half control puts Clare in driving seat

Clare 2-18 Limerick 0-18

Clare dominated the opening half, with an early five point unanswered haul, three from the stick of Colin Ryan, pushing them 0-6 to 0-2 clear by the 15th minute. Limerick did reduce that deficit to two, mainly through the influence of Declan Hannon but with the aforementioned Ryan and midfield partner Nicky O’Connell pulling the strings, Clare powered to a ten point half-time advantage.

Jonathan Clancy chipped in with a brace of points and also had a hand in the opening goal, laying off a pass to Sean Collins to fire beyond keeper Aaron Murphy on the half hour.