Limerick edged by Clare in thrilling Munster U20 Hurling Championship clash

THE LIMERICK U20 hurlers have been beaten in Round Three of the Munster U20 Hurling Championship by Clare on a scoreline 0f 0-18 to 0-15. 

Centre forward Hugh Flanagan opened the scoring after two minutes for the visitors in what was an end-to-end half of hurling in Sixmilebridge. 

Clare full-forward Fred Hegarty, who was in fine form, equalised minutes later. Limerick captain Conor Ryan pushed his side ahead after eight minutes but the hosts replied quickly through Darren Moroney.

Hegarty nudged Clare ahead after ten minutes but in keeping with the trend of the opening exchanges, Limerick equalised swiftly through Eoin Brosnan. 

Monaleen's Matthew Fitzgerald gave Limerick a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after 12 minutes but the sides were level minutes later through Ronan Kilroy. 

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Doon's Eamon Richardson nudged Limerick ahead with a fine effort from distance after a quarter of an hour but their lead lasted mere seconds with Hegarty replying for the Banner County. 

Both sides would trade scores as the half came to a close with Limerick's Flanagan and Clare's Hegarty ruthless from placed balls. 

Hegarty would score seven of his side's nine first half points with Flanagan responsible for five of his side's nine points in the opening half. 

With both place ball takers in excellent scoring the form, the sides would go in level at the interval, 0-9 a piece. 

Michael Collins opened the scoring for the visitors seconds into the second half but Flanagan was still in scoring form and levelled proceedings moments later. 

Flanagan then put Evan Loftus' side ahead before Collins levelled proceedings yet again. Flanagan, who was Limerick's primary source for scores throughout put his side ahead again in the 38th minute before substitute Graham Bell levelled what was an enthralling contest. 

Jamie Moylan gave the hosts the lead in moments later but as was the case all game, Limerick equalised seconds later through Michael Leo. 

Both sides would trade scores as the game entered a tense final ten minutes with the contest level at 0-14 a piece. 

With both sets of players beginning to tire, Flanagan put his side ahead with six minutes of normal time remaining via a free. 

Hegarty replied in the 57th minute before adding his tenth of the day moments later, both from placed balls. 

Paul Rodgers gave Clare a two-point advantage with 61 minutes on the clock and with Jamie Moylan adding to their lead a minute later, the Banner were closing in on a precious win. 

Limerick pushed for a green flag late on but were unable to do so and were beaten on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-15. 

SCORERS: LIMERICK: Hugh Flanagan 0-9 (0-8f) 1 (65'), Eamon Richardson 0-1, Matthew Fitzgerald 0-1, Aidan O'Connell 0-1, Eoin Brosnan 0-1, Michael Leo 0-1, John O'Connor 0-1, 

CLARE: Fred Hegarty 0-10 (0-5f), Michael Collins 0-2, Darren Moroney 0-1, Ronan Kilroy 0-1, Jamie Moylan 0-2, Graham Bell 0-1, Paul Rodgers 0-1, 

LIMERICK: Alex Kearns (Na Piarsaigh), John Murray (Patrickswell), Jack Dwane (Kilmallock) Seán Duff (Mungret St Paul's), Jack Cosgrave (Ahane), Eamon Richardson (Doon), Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Conor Ryan (C) (Ahane), Aidan O'Conell (Doon), John O'Connor (Ahane), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Tadhg Boddy (Dromid/Athlacca), Robert O'Farrell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Michael Leo (Knockainey), Eoin Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh)

SUBS: Diarmaid Hurling (Hospital/Herbertstown),for Tadhg Boddy (34 minutes), Griffin McCaffery(Hospital/Herbertstown) for Michael Leo (50 minutes), Rory Hanly (Ballybricken/Bohermore) for John O' Connor (50 minutes), Darren Collopy (Murroe/Boher) for Diarmaid Hurley (60 minutes), 

CLARE: Mark Sheedy (Droichead Abhainn Ó gCearnaigh), Eoghan Gunning (Áth Leathan), Robert Loftus (Éire Óg, Inis), Joe Casey (Cill Mháille), Ryan Hayes (An Tulach), Jamie Moylan (Creatlach), Matthew O'Halloran (Droichead Abhainn Ó gCearnaigh), Daniel Costelloe (Baile Aodha), Darren Moroney (Éire Óg, Inis), Ronan Kilroy (An Bratach), Michael Collins (Cluain Lára), Tómás O'Connor (Naomh Seosamh Dubhraith Gortlomán), Marco Cleary (Éire Óg, Inis), Fred Hegarty (Eidhnach Cill na Móna), Michael Power (Cora Chaitlin)

SUBS: Graham Ball for Darren Moroney (35 minutes), Paul Rodgers for Michael Power (47 minutes), Harry Doherty for Marco Cleary (49 minutes), Harry Doherty for Marco Cleary (60 minutes)