Fennell and Culligan star as Clare beat Limerick to maintain perfect U20 Munster football championship start

The Treaty County were already resigned to a provincial ‘B’ final after losing their opening two matches.

ONE OF TWO STARS: Clare's Sean Fennell in action. Pic: Eamon Ward.

CLARE 2-11 LIMERICK 0-10

A tour-de-force first half from the inspirational Sean Fennell, and two late Daire Culligan goals, ensured Clare continued their perfect winning record in the Dalata Hotel Group Munster U-20 FC (Phase 1) with this Round 3 victory over Limerick.

The Treaty county, already resigned to a provincial ‘B’ final after losing their opening two matches, held their own strongly in the first quarter.

Indeed, after centre-back Andrew Kearney arrowed over an excellent 45 metre free, the hosts were three up (0-5 to 0-2) after 17 minutes.

The hard-working Donncha O’Dwyer was an important ball-winner for the Banner youngsters, but it was Fennell, operating at full-forward and further out the field, who stood tallest.

His tally of 0-8 from play before the break (including three orange flags) changed the game’s momentum.

Trailing by four points (0-10 to 0-6) heading into the changeover, Limerick certainly upped the intensity levels but, despite the best efforts of the indefatigable Conor Ó Longaigh at wing-back, their squander-mania (13 wides to four over the hour) let them down.

Amazingly, there was no score in the second half until a Callum Kiely placed ball for the home team 20 minutes in, but another free from Kiely, and a point from play by substitute Michael Mulcahy, had Limerick trailing by the bare minimum on 55 minutes (0-10 to 0-9).

Dermot Coughlan’s visitors, who had played a containing role against the wind, suddenly hit turbo-charge, with Evan Cahill’s stunning pass setting up Culligan to goal.

Within a minute, despite a penalty save from Cian Purcell, the Lissycasey forward buried the rebound, and Clare were home and dry.

Scorers for Clare: S Fennell 0-8 (3tp), D Culligan 2-2, D O’Dwyer 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: C Kiely 0-4(fs), A Kearney 0-2(tpf), P Phelan, C Costelloe, C Ó Loingigh, M Mulcahy 0-1 each.

CLARE: H O’Gorman (Cooraclare); A Weaver (Lissycasey), S Murphy (Milltown St Joseph’s), A Killeen (Lissycasey); D Brody (Ennistymon), D Boyle (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), M Kelly (Lissycasey); E Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane), S Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks); D Townsend (Cooraclare), C Breen (Corofin), D O’Dwyer (St Breckan’s); D McMahon (Lissycasey), D Culligan (Lissycasey), R Fallon (Kilmurry Ibrickane).

Subs: S O’Dea (Cooraclare) for Fallon (52), S Kirby (Corofin) for Cahill (60).

LIMERICK: C Purcell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry); C O’Sullivan (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), O Dee (Cappagh), D McCarthy (Fr Casey’s); P Hennessy (Camogue Rovers), A Kearney (Monaleen), C O Longaigh (Mungret/St Paul’s); S Holland (South Liberties), E Curry (Athea); B Griffin (Monaleen), P Phelan (Pallasgreen), C Costelloe (Cappagh); C Kiely (Claughaun), A Lyons (Newcastle West), D O’Carroll (Cappagh).

Subs: L Glynn (Ahane) for Holland, inj (17), A O’Shea (Cappagh) for Lyons (43), S Colgan (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan) for Hennessy (43), M Mulcahy (St Senan’s) for O’Carroll (52).

Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).