Goals the difference as Limerick defeat Clare in Minor Hurling Championship

A GOAL in either half from Shane Waters and Gavin O’Brien helped Limerick bag their maiden victory of the Electric Ireland Munster MHC, beating Clare 2-12 to 0-12 in Ennis.

Both sides had suffered opening round losses – Limerick falling by three at home to Waterford, while Clare lost out in a high-scoring contest, by four points, to Tipperary.

With four sides to progress to the All-Ireland series, Diarmuid Mullins’ side are well placed ahead of their final two games, against Tipperary and Cork, after a bye in round three.

This contest was played at a windswept Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, with Limerick playing wind assisted in the opening half.

After a wasteful opening 10 minutes from Limerick, Gearóid Madden put the Banner ahead, before Limerick replied through a free from Shane Waters. The captain put Limerick ahead a short time later.

Ryan Foley profited off his own turnover, scoring a long-range point to leave Limerick 0-4 to 0-2 ahead by the 23rd minute.

Donnacha McKenna cancelled out a John O’Riordan point to keep the Banner within touching distance.

Cian Maxted hauled down Eamon O’Sullivan with a penalty awarded to the Treaty. This afforded Waters the opportunity, which he dispatched for the largest lead, five points, of the half.

However, Ger O’Connell’s hosts cut the gap with the final two point of the half, with Ben Talty (free) and captain Colm Daly both bisecting the posts. That meant the half time score read 1-5 to 0-5 in favour of the boys in green.

Gavin O’Brien added to his earlier point with a fortunate goal five minutes into the second half. Securing the ball close the goal, the Kilmallock forward attempted to score a point but his dropping shot dropped over the Clare keeper and into the net.

That reopened the five point margin and despite not scoring for the next ten minutes, Clare only close the gap with two white flags. Ben Talty frees were their main route back into the game but they failed to get closer than four points in the second half.

A run of three scores helped move the gap back out, as Waters, Eamon O’Sullivan and Eoin Hennessy all found the target. Clare never threatened a goal and the sides shared the final six points.

Clare finished with fourteen, as Seán Connellan received a second yellow card, this time for a foul on Xavier Neiligan on 55 minutes. Neiligan and earlier Ryan Foley, concluded the scoring for Limerick.

Scorers for Clare: Ben Talty 0-7 (5 frees, 1 ‘65); James O’Donnell 0-2; Gearóid Madden, Donncha McKenna, Colm Daly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Shane Waters 1-5 (1-0 pen; 0-3 frees); Gavin O’Brien 1-1; Ryan Foley 0-2; John O’Riordan, Eamon O’Sullivan, Eoin Hennessy, Xavier Neligan 0-1 each.

Clare: Conor Keogh; Oran Perrill, Cian Maxted, Marcus Fitzpatrick; Oran Duignan, Colm Daly, Podge Murphy; Isaac Hassett, Seán Connellan; Gearóid Madden, Donncha McKenna, James O’Donnell; Ben Talty, Max Sheehan, Ryan Mahony.

Subs: Chris O’Callaghan for Ryan Mahony (45 mins); Nikkie Belenko for Crowe (51 mins); Conor Coffey for Mahony (51 mins); Cathal Ryan for Hassett (55 mins)

Limerick: Sam Collins (Crecora-Manister); Rowan Collins (Adare), William Ryan (Murroe-Boher), Donagh Horgan (Murroe-Boher); Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell), Conor Ryan (Monaleen), John O’Riordan (Bruff); Xavier Neligan (Kilmallock), Jack Roche (Blackrock); Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Ryan Foley (Patrickswell), Shane Waters (Na Piarsaigh); Gavin O’Brien (Kilmallock), Eamon O’Sullivan (Adare), John Ross O’Reilly (Ballybrown).

Subs: Paul Collins (Tournafulla) for Waters (3 – 4 mins); Danann Glynn (Ahane) for O’Reilly (52 mins); Sam Mitchell (Knockainey) for Collins (56 mins); Callum Butler (Patrickswell) for Roche (58 mins); Colin Burke (Dromcollogher-Broadford) for O’Sullivan (59 mins); Daire Long (Pallasgreen) for O’Brien (62 mins).

Referee: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford).