Brilliant Banner dump Limerick out to reach U20 semis
O’Neill’s half-dozen white flags as well as accurate free taking from Fred Hegarty, were the difference.
A fine spread of scoring talent, spearheaded by senior panellist Jack O’Neill, saw Clare prevail and march into the Munster semi-final.
An away clash with Cork to come next Wednesday is their reward, after dumping out Limerick, who were most wasteful in the opening half.
O’Neill’s half-dozen white flags as well as accurate free taking from Fred Hegarty, were the difference.
They gave an exhibition of shooting, which saw them hit 17 points from 18 shots in the first half, pulling nine clear before Limerick eventually found some form.
As well as Hegarty and O’Neill, the elusive James Organ and Seán Boyce were accurate, as their pace wasn’t matched by the men in green.
Limerick, to their credit, showed in attack. Early openings for Mark O’Brien, Hugh Flanagan and Fintan Fitzgerald were taken but they registered five wides in the opening quarter.
Diarmuid Stritch arrowed over on 19 minutes to bring Clare to double digits, and they were quickly nine clear by the time he added his second.
This followed fine efforts from Organ and Hegarty.
Limerick needed something. Hugh Flanagan got a mini-fightback started before O’Brien and Fintan Fitzgerald got the three in a row for the first time.
A stunning save from Mark Sheedy denied Robert O’Farrell and while the resultant 65 was slotted by O’Brien, the green flag could have changed the game. The Mungret St. Paul’s free taker then added another to leave the score at 0-17 to 0-13 at half-time.
Having registered just one wide in the first half, Terence Fahy’s men were more wasteful in the second period. That said, they were always ahead and never looked out of control of their destiny.
Rocked by a 43rd minute O’Farrell goal, they crucially replied quickly with a point, something they did regularly all evening. Fintan Fitzgerald spotted O’Farrell’s run, and the line-ball was neatly collected before being finished to the net.
This time it was Michael Collins with the reply. Limerick continued to miss, bringing the wide tally to 15. Any momentum easily lost.
James Hegarty assumed the free taking late on and arrowed over a free and a 65, which cemented the win, with Ruairí O’Connor replying with a point – when searching for a goal.
Limerick will regret two narrow home defeats to Cork and now Clare.
For Clare, another crack at Cork is one to get excited for, after showing their best performances on the road.
M O’Brien 0-10 (0-8 frees, 0-1 ‘65); R O’Farrell 1-1; D Ferland, H Flangan, R O’Connor 0-2 each; F Fitzgerald, M Fitzgerald, D Hurley 0-1 each.
F Hegarty 0-7 (all frees); J O’Neill 0-6; J Organ, S Boyce 0-3 each; D Stritch, M Collins, J Hegarty (1 free, 1 ’65) 0-2 each; E McMahon; R Kilroy 0-1 each.
F O’Brien (Bruree); J Murray (Patrickswell), S Casey (Bruff), D Scully (Dromin-Athlacca); J Cosgrave (Ahane), A O’Connell (Doon), D Langan (Monaleen); S Duff (Mungret St Paul’s), J Finn (Na Piarsaigh); M Fitzgerald (Monaleen), D Ferland (Monaleen), H Flanagan (Garryspillane); M O’Brien (Mungret St Paul’s), R O’Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry, R Fitzgerald (Capt, Mungret St Paul’s).
D Hurley (Newcastle West) for O’Connell (33); T Boddy (Dromin Athlacca) for Duff (40); R Ó’Connor (Feenagh Kilmeedy) for Finn (45); D Coughlan (Doon) for O’Brien (59).
M Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); E Gunning (Broadford), J Cahill (Clooney-Quin), J Casey (Kilmaley); J Moylan (Cratloe), J Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona), E McMahon (St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); R Loftus (Éire Óg Ennis), J O’Neill (Clooney-Quin); R Kilroy (Banner), D Stritch (Clonlara), J Organ (Corofin); S Boyce (O’Callaghan’s Mills), F Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona), M Collins (Clonlara).
D Costelloe (Ballyea) for Loftus (half-time); L Crotty (Scariff) for Organ (41); T Lohan (Cratloe) for Hegarty (56); F Ó Braoin (Sixmilebridge) for McMahon (60).
Nicky O’Toole (Waterford).
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