Towering Keane drags Banner past Limerick with star turn
BANNER RISING: A pitchside flag before the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Clare and Cork at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Deep into stoppage time, Charlie McCarthy’s long-range free drifted inches wide of the Clare goal. It was the final act of a tense neighbourly clash which saw the Banner collect an important pair of Munster Minor Football Championship points in Mountcollins.
The west Limerick venue is situated at the corner of Limerick where it meets with Kerry and Cork. The wind ripped through the place at times but it did little to deter an enjoyable hour of football in round two.
The result means that Limerick will need to defeat pacesetters Waterford in Lemybrien next Monday, while Clare will know a victory over Tipperary is likely to be enough for them to reach the Phase One final.
Clare’s hero was full-forward Liam Keane. The towering Lissycasey forward was involved in so much, and most obviously, his haul of nine points, were central to the final result.
Joe Hayes’ troops bagged the first score through Keane, a marvellous two-pointer from outside the 45-meter line. This was while playing on an advantage.
Keane’s influence was obvious within this Clare performance and as well as a trio of first half frees the Lissycasey forward also curled over from close range while neglecting to take a mark when fetching a long delivery.
Charlie McCarthy replied in kind at the other end, after scores from Jamie McAulliffe and later Tom Gavin. Clare, however, punished Limerick’s sloppy fouls, a trio of picks off the ground let to points for Keane, and inside forward Michael Normoyle.
By half-time, the visitors were three ahead. They saw Limerick cut the gap with another McCarthy free, this time after Daniel Healy was black carded for a trip on Jamie McAuliffe.
The away side managed that spell well, before Limerick lost Cian Barry to a black card – for contributing to melee. Garrett Noonan, a stalwart with Limerick in his own playing days, brought on fresh legs and with it fresh impetuous.
However, the scoreboard still read favourably in Clare’s direction, thanks to a huge two-point free from Keane.
McAuliffe was a huge part of the fightback and he centred for Seán O’Flynn, who blasted to the net to cut the gap to two. However, the next two scores went to Clare – Thomas Dillon and then star man Keane.
Two late Limerick points opened the door for the win but their fourth wide of the contest meant it was a Banner roar at full-time.
C McCarthy (0-5; 3f, 1tp); S O’Flynn (1-0); J McAuliffe (0-2); C Murphy, R O’Dwyer, T Gavin (free) (0-1 each).
L Keane (0-9; 1 tpf, 1 tp, 3f); M Normoyle (0-3; 2f); S O’Callaghan, T Dillon (free) (0-1 each).
D Ryan (Na Piarsaigh); L McDermott (Monaleen), A Murphy (Fr Caseys), R Conneely (Ballybricken/Bohermore); C Lonergan (Ballylanders), E Murnane (Camogue Rovers), R O’Dwyer (Monaleen); C Murphy (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), J McAuliffe (Fr Caseys); C Barry (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), J Moynihan (Monaleen), S O’Flynn (Dromcollogher/Broadford); C McCarthy (Adare), E Hogan (Mungret/St Pauls), T Gavin (Monaleen).
C O’Dwyer (Rathkeale) for Lonergan (39); O Stokes (Dromcollogher/Broadford) for Hogan (49); K McNamara (Ahane) for Barry (49); C Donnelly (Camogue Rovers) for Conneely (55); B Hough (St. Kieran’s) for Gavin (59).
C Griffin (Ennistymon); T O’Loughlin (St. Breckan’s), S Neenan (Kildysart), C Killeen (Lissycasey); D Fitzpatrick (St. Breckan’s), S Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane), J Lavin (Ennistymon); D Healy (Liscannor), T Bane (Banner); R Cotter (Kilrush Shamrocks), R Kelly (Kildysart), S O’Neill (Éire Og); M Normoyle (St. Breckan’s), L Keane (Lissycasey), S O’Callaghan (St. Joesph’s Doora-Barefield).
D Healy (Liscannor) for Neylon (inj – 18); G Browne for Neenan (inj 30+1); T Dillon (Doonbeg) (49); J Greene (Corofin) for Kelly (56); E Soffe for Fitzpatrick (59).
C Murphy (Cork).
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