Limerick revel in Munster glory

LIMERICK 0-22 CLARE 0-19:

Not since July 26, 2011, had Clare tasted defeat at this grade before last evening. In their 14 subsequent outings, the Banner amassed threeMunster and All-Ireland crowns. A 15th consecutive championship win and a fourth provincial crown on the bounce would prove a step beyond them.

It was a fully-merited win for Limerick. Although trailing by 0-12 to 0-10 at the interval, they cranked up the intensity in the second period and once they hit the front on 47 minutes wouldn’t be caught. Crucial to the win was the redeployment of half-forward Ronan Lynch to the inside line for the second half.

Further out, the boundless energy of Cian Lynch and Pat Ryan ensured the supply lines flowed right throughout the second period. Both were extremely intelligent when in possession and were it not for the defensive efforts of Conor Cleary, Aidan McGuane and Eoin Quirke, Limerick would have been out of sight entering second-half stoppages.

A Stephen Ward sideline cut and an Ian Galvin minor had extended Clare’s advantage to four early in the second period. It was the last occasion they would hold the inside lane, John Kiely’s men outscoring the reigning champions by 0-12 to 0-5 in the closing 25-minutes.

Lynch banged over three in quick succession and when centre-back Barry O’Connell cut out a Bobby Duggan pass intended for the lurking Shane O’Donnell, the crowd of 14,311 sensed the tide turning. Lynch levelled matters at 0-14 apiece and when a foul on Bobby Duggan was waved on by referee Fergal Horgan, Limerick swept down the field with Lynch again finishing the move.

Although Duggan achieved parity for the seventh time, Limerick returnedin front through Ronan and Cian Lynch.

On 51 minutes, Clare keeper Keith Hogan repelled a Colin Ryan strike. McGuane’s clearance found Eoin Quirke and the corner-back notched his second. Back to the minimum.

In the ensuing play, Hogan was again called into action, this time denying Cian Lynch. Clare failed to build from a second let-off. Lynch nailed the subsequent 65 and the gap stretched to four following two successive mistakes in the Banner defence, Ronan Lynch and Tom Morrissey on hand to punish.

A goal Clare now sought and their best effort fell to sub Michael O’Malley, set-up by Galvin. The sliotar was sent the wrong side of the crossbar and with it Clare’s U21 stranglehold.

The outlook was far brighter for the home outfit as they returned down the tunnel at half-time, ahead by 0-12 to 0-10. Although falling two behind inside the opening three minutes, Clare settled and centre-forward Shane Gleeson opened their account. Shane O’Donnell achieved parity and they pushed in front through a second Gleeson point and Bobby Duggan’s opening free.

Having conceded four on the hop, Limerick wrestled back momentum with six unanswered scores in a 13-minutes spell. Darragh O’Donovan and Pat Ryan gained a stranglehold around midfield, while Limerick’s half-back line also asserted their dominance.

Clare struggled from their own puck-out and neither was their discipline particularly impressive, John Kiely’s men capitalising through Ronan Lynch (three frees and a ’65), Dempsey and Robbie Hanley, 0-9 to 0-4 they led.

The champions desperately required a break to stem the flow of Limerickscores and it arrived in the unlikeliest of forms – corner-back Eoin Quirke swatting a massive point on 24 minutes. Over a quarter of an hour had passed since their last score and Quirke’s effort breathed life back into their cause.

Bobby Duggan was on target in the ensuing play, the Ennis roar rolling down from the stands. Three more from Duggan (free), Galvin and David Conroy levelled it at 0-9 apiece after 27 minutes. Galvin, Gleeson and Duggan edged them two up, but both the lead and their crown were eventually surrendered.

Scorers for Limerick: R Lynch (0-13, 0-8 frees, 0-2 ‘65’s); D Dempsey (0-2); J Kelliher, D O’Donovan, P Ryan, R Hanley, C Ryan, C Lynch, T Morrissey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: B Duggan (0-6, 0-5 frees); I Galvin (0-4); S Gleeson (0-3); E Quirke (0-2); S O’Donnell, D Conroy, M O’Malley (0-1 each).

Limerick: D McCarthy (Glenroe); M O’Callaghan (Knockaderry), R English (Doon), M Casey (Na Piarsaigh); D Byrnes (Patrickswell), B O’Connell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), G Hegarty (St. Patrick’s); D O Donovan (Doon), P Ryan (Doon); R Lynch (Na Piarsaigh), R Hanley (Kilmallock), D Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh); C Ryan (Pallasgreen), T Morrissey (Ahane), C Lynch (Patrickswell).

Subs: S Flanagan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon) for Hegarty (34 mins), AL Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen) for Hanley (36), S Finn (Bruff) for O’Callaghan (46), J Kelliher (Patrickswell) for Morrissey (60).

Clare: K Hogan (Clooney Quin); E Quirke (Whitegate), D Fitzgerald (Inagh Kilnamona), S O’Brien (Clonlara); A McGuane (Kilmaley), C Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay), B O’Gorman (Wolfe Tones Na Sionna); D Conroy (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), K Hehir (Inagh Kilnamona); B Duggan (Clarecastle), S Gleeson (Cratloe), I Galvin (Clonlara); S Ward (Clarecastle), S O’Donnell (Éire Óg), R Taylor (Clooney Quin).

Subs: M O’Malley (Kilmaley) for Gleeson (46 mins), N Deasy (Ballyea) for Hehir (48), D Moloney (Broadford) for Ward (52), C Crehan (O’Callaghan Mills) for Taylor (59).

Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary).