Limerick goal-rush crucial in champions dramatic win over Clare in Munster SHC

LIMERICK have secured a crucial 3-15 to 1-18 victory over Clare in the first round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship in Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday afternoon. 

The All-Ireland champions trailed for a large portion of the game before goals from Aaron Gillane and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh finished off the game and solidified the win. 

Gillane was vital for his side once again scoring 2-5 (0-5 frees). Limerick will now face Tipperary on Sunday next in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 4pm. 

On a beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon in Ennis, it was the home side that started at an electric pace with Aidan McCarthy adding is first point after 20 seconds of play before his opposite number Aaron Gillane put Limerick's first score on the board from a free. 

This score was complimented by a fantastic point from Gearoid Hegarty to put Limerick ahead after three minutes but not for long as David Fitzgerald found his range from midfield. 

An unmarked Aaron Gillane was spotted in the full forward line but a serious save by Clare goalie Eibhear Quilligan was enough to stop the Treaty team from getting a goal. 

Limerick were the more dominant side in the opening 10 minutes with scores from David Reidy and another Gillane free. Clare had a huge opportunity for a goal through a Mark Rogers shot saved after seven minutes of play. 

Clare's Aidan McCarthy was vital for his side slotting over four frees in the space of 10 minutes as Limerick battled through a dry period of scores putting the Banner ahead 0-7 to 0-6 after 20 minutes.

This lead was extended for Clare as McCarthy, once again, added to his tally with a huge goal 29 minutes into the game to give them the momentum in the closing minutes of the half. 

Vital scores from Kyle Hayes and Gearoid Hegarty finished the scoring off for Limerick with nine wides in the first-half leaving Clare ahead at the break, 1-10 to 0-8. 

Shane O'Donnell found a charging David Fitzgerald on the wing to open the scoring for Clare after three minutes. It took a full 12 minutes for Limerick to find a score through a Gillane free.

Clare pushed on with scores from Mark Rogers and Séadna Morey and looked to be pushing out of sight of Limerick as Aaron Gillane slotted over another two points from frees to leave it 0-12 to 1-14 after 56 minutes of play. 

The All-Ireland champions continued to battle back aided by the traveling supporters that came to Ennis as Gillane slotted a wonder goal to put them right back in the game.

With fire in their belly Limerick powered on with a point from David Reidy before substitute Donnacha Ó Dálaigh added his name to the scoreboard as a passage of passing between himself and Hegarty ended up in the back of the net to put Limerick 2-14 ahead. 

Clare looked down and out after leading the entire game as the next passage of play saw a totllally free Gearoid Hegarty take another shot at goal for Gillane to finish it off.

The Banner tried to claw back the difference as Aidan and Tony Kelly added points to the scoreboard but three goals finished things off for Limerick as they claimed the victory on a scoreline of 3-15 to 1-18.

SCORERS: LIMERICK: Aaron Gillane 2-5 (0-5 frees), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh 1-1, Gearoid Hegarty 0-3, David Reidy 0-2, Cathal O'Neill 0-2, Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch 0-1 each. CLARE: Aidan McCarthy 1-9 (0-8 frees), David Fitzgerald 0-2, Shane O'Donnell 0-2, Mark Rogers 0-2, Tony Kelly 0-2, Seadna Morey 0-1

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid (Effin), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Barry Nash (South Liberties), Diarmuid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Declan Hannon (C) (Adare), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallakenry), William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), Cathal O'Neill (Crecora/Manister), Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks), David Reidy (Dromin/Athlacca), Tom Morrissey (Ahane), Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell). SUBS: Sean Finn (Bruff) for M Casey (5 minutes), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen) for S Flanagan (40 minutes), Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for T Morrissey (48 minutes), Adam English (Doon) for W O'Donoghue (59 minutes), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown) for A Gillane (67 minutes)

CLARE: Eibhear Quilligan, Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary (C), Rory Hayes, Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney, David Fitzgerald, Darragh Lohan, Cathal Malone, Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan, Aidan McCarthy, Shane O'Donnell, David Reidy. SUBS: Seadna Morey for D Lohan (Half-Time), Tony Kelly for D Reidy (54 minutes), Paul Flanagan for R Hayes (58 minutes), Shane Meehan for M Rogers (61 minutes), Aron Shanagher for D Fitzgerald (68 minutes)

REFEREE: Colm Lyons (Cork)