Player ratings: how Limerick and Clare players performed in the Munster hurling final
9 June 2024; Darragh Lohan of Clare is tackled by Declan Hannon of Limerick during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Clare and Limerick at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Made two fine saves in the opening half, though Duggan picked his pocket after the second one for Clare’s goal. His puckouts were excellent, as always. Calmness personified.
Struggled against Shane O’Donnell early on, earning a yellow card, but then the ball stopped coming in. He became more assured and did what was requiredÂ
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The Ahane man was rock solid throughout. Made one outstanding catch in the first half, and, in general, he never looked to be under any real pressure.
Became more prominent as the game progressed, linking the play intelligently. Tony Kelly had a few early scores, but Nash settled into it. Assisted one of Byrnes’ scores.
Had the better of an incredible battle with Peter Duggan. His radar, though not perfect, was much better as he hit 0-5 from eight attempts. Ominously, the graph is on the up.
The captain was outstanding in the opening half and showed the energy that had been missing from his game for a spell. Hit two classy points and anchored the defence excellently.
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A victim of his own brilliance as teams continue to try to avoid him. However, he is irrepressible on the left wing. Scored 0-2, assisted 0-3, and never under pressure.
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The outstanding midfielder on the day. He was back to his brilliant best and imposed his physicality on proceedings from the off. Fouled for a score and assisted for one too.
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His form has been exemplary thus far, but this game passed him by at times. Scored 0-1, assisted for 0-1 and fouled for a converted free.
What more can be said about this man? He didn’t score in the first half, but his presence was everywhere and the 1-2 came in the second half.
A vital cog in a well-oiled machine. Scored two early points but the way he chased down and passed out David Fitzgerald in the second half was emblematic of his role.
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Mr Consistency. Scored 0-4 but his selfless running across the half forward line made life very difficult for a struggling Clare half back line.
Just the 0-1 off play for the Patrickswell man, but he had two assists and was fouled for two of the four frees he converted.
Not bad for a first start! He dovetailed brilliantly with Gillane inside, and his movement, strength and skill caused endless problems for the Clare defence.
Started in the middle of the field but operated on the periphery of the game. He hasn’t reached the heights of old, but there’s time yet.
for O’Neill Did what he always does. Ran, hunted, hit, harried, picked up a yellow card.
for Lynch Scored his usual classy point and earned an important free. A very difficult player to contain.
for Gillane Another of the new brigade who is bursting to make his mark. Earned a free that Tom Morrissey converted.
for Reidy He will have enjoyed his taste of the action.
for T Morrissey What a servant Mulcahy has been for the Treaty man. He joins Hannon and Quaid on 7 Munster titles.
Saved a half-hooked Shane O’Brien effort but beaten to the sliotar for Gearóid Hegarty’s goal, which originated from his long ball to an outnumbered Clare attacker. Lost a few long puck-outs to the sideline.
Had a good battle with Shane O’Brien but was beaten for two points to kickstart Limerick’s second half. Switched onto Aaron Gillane after Conor Cleary’s booking and coped well.
His tussle with Aaron Gillane was determined by three fouls on the talisman, including two off-the-ball calls. Booked for the latter, never got going when moved outfield, and replaced late on.
Couldn’t do much to deny David Reidy’s brace and came out with plenty of ball from defence. Assisted a pair of first-half points in an impressive Munster final bow.
Started at right half-back but covered the centre as much as possible throughout. Swept up some ball but took too much into contact and dropped a shot short.
Tasked with tracking Cathal O’Neill, who enjoyed a more prominent outing dropping into the middle third. Ryan’s scoring threat was suppressed while Limerick’s half-backs prospered.
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Couldn’t hold Gearóid Hegarty who ended as man of the match. A tough assignment coming in after missing Clare’s last two games but lasted the 70 minutes.
His tracking back denied Shane O’Brien an early goal and dug in with a defensive shift. Booked for a foul on William O’Donoghue but kept Cian Lynch quiet until the latter was withdrawn.
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Took on William O’Donoghue but couldn’t fully curb his influence or stem the Limerick tide in the middle third. Called ashore as Clare went chasing the game.
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A brilliant display of long-range shooting with four points from four and found Mark Rodgers for a goal chance but Kyle Hayes carried a major influence too.
What could’ve been for the Scariff stickman who had one goal chance saved by Nickie Quaid, hit the post with another, and created a third for Aidan McCarthy which was also denied.
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Gave away three early frees but it was a measure of the intent and aggression Duggan carried throughout this game. Was a magnet for fouls and conjured up a fine goal.
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Ended up with 0-8 but missed four of his 10 frees. Also saw his first-half goal chance blocked by Nickie Quaid and was subbed off for Ian Galvin.
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Started strong as he played a key role in four of Clare’s first five points and had Mike Casey booked for a high tackle. Didn’t maintain his customary influence as he was starved of possession thereafter.
Three first-half points but spent far too much time back in his own half and didn’t score again. Had five wides, including two frees, a sideline, and a wayward pass.
Brian Lohan waited until the final nine minutes to bring on his three subs but their only notable impact was a point from Ian Galvin shortly after his introduction for Aidan McCarthy. Having started their last seven games, David Reidy was perhaps unlucky to get such a short outing as he came on for Darragh Lohan but couldn’t get involved. Rory Hayes was a late replacement for Conor Cleary. Paddy Donnellan was the other player to get on the field as a first-half blood sub for Cathal Malone but all he got was a front-row seat for a Diarmaid Byrnes free before it was reversed.
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