Limerick footballers fall to heavy defeat against Clare

LIMERICK fell to a third defeat of their Allianz National Football League Division 3 campaign on Saturday evening, falling to a 1-21 to 1-12 reversal against Clare at Mick Neville Park.

Despite an encouraging opening to the game, Limerick struggled for large parts of this contest, with the Banner deserving winners.

With previous losses to Down and Sligo were close affairs, this was a more one-sided contest in Rathkeale. 

After the defeat to the Yeats County last time out, Treaty manager Jimmy Lee conceded that promotion was likely off the table. This loss means survival is now the main focus for the rest of the campaign.

A third defeat in five games has the Shannonsiders holding onto Division 3 status for dear life - with a trip to Mullingar next on the horizon in a fortnight’s time.

Struggling Fermanagh visit Mick Neville Park the following weekend - but it is possible that Limerick will need to win both remaining matches to avoid the drop back to the bottom tier.

In an immensely competitive Division 3 where every game is crucial, not only were the valuable league points lost Sunday evening, but crucially Clare now have the head-to-head advantage over Limerick.

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There was a slow pace to the early exchanges with Limerick having slightly more possession. They eventually got some impetus into the game, sparking this round 5 contest into life with an eighth minute goal.

Danny Neville gave the pass and captain CIllian Fahy shot hard and low, beating Stephen Ryan in the Clare net.

Eliah Riordan continued his good form in front of goal, a two-point free added to a score from play saw Limerick lead by five points after 12 minutes. However, despite a poor start from the visitors, Mark McInerney kicked a two-pointer of his own to settle his side into the game.

They made the most of this period of dominance as McInerney soon had the ball into the back of the net, palming home after a great run and pass from Dermot Coughlan.

Clare should have had a second goal before the break. It was all too to break through the Limerick defence as Brendy Rouine and Aaron Griffin teamed up to lay off to Coughlan - the Banner stand-in captain blazing wide from close range.

However, this didn’t slow them as points from Brian McNamara, Eoin Cleary (2) and Alan Sweeney helped Clare to a 1-11 to 1-5 interval lead.

Limerick’s performance didn’t improve after the break. Two further Cleary points either side of Sweeney’s second pushed the lead to nine points.

It wasn’t until the 13th minute of the half that Danny Neville added to Limerick’s first half effort as they were second best after their initial bright start. However, Clare quickly regained control of the game and eased to victory.

SCORERS:

Limerick: Eliah Riordan 0-5 (2x2pt f); Cillian Fahy 1-1; Peter Nash 0-3 (1f); Shane Cross 0-2 (1f), Danny Neville 0-1.

Clare: Mark McInerney 1-8 (2x2pt, 3f); Eoin Cleary 0-7 (1x2pm); Alan Sweeney 0-2; Brendy Ryan, Brian McNamara, Conor Meaney, Cormac Murray 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Jeffrey Alfred; Oran Collins, Darren O’Doherty, Diarmuid Buckley; Oisín Moss, Killian Ryan, Tony McCarthy; Sean Clancy, Tommie Childs; Andrew Meade, Cillian Fahy, Eliah O’Riordan; Danny Neville, James Naughton, Peter Nash.

Subs: Paul Maher for James Naughton (ht); Colm McSweeney for Darren O’Doherty (ht); Jack McCarthy for Tommie Childs (45 mins); Josh Dineen for Sean Clancy (53 mins); Shane Cross for Andrew Meade (57 mins).

CLARE: Stephen Ryan; Alan Sweeney, Ronan Lanigan, Manus Doherty; Brendy Rouine, Conor Meaney, Ikem Ugwueru; Brian McNamara, Cillian Brennan; Daniel Walsh, Dermot Coughlan, Josh Vaughan; Mark McInerney, Eoin Cleary, Aaron Griffin.

Subs: Cormac Murray for Aaron Griffin (53 mins); Shane Griffin for Josh Vaughan (57 mins); Jamie Stack for Daniel Walsh (66 mins); Fionn Kelleher for Conor Meaney (66 mins); Michael Nash for Cillian Brennan (67 mins).

REFEREE: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).