How the Limerick players rated in dramatic Munster SHC victory over Clare

LEADER Sport's Paul Shaughnessy rates the Limerick players performances after their thrilling win over Clare in the opening round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Cusack Park, Ennis last weekend. 

Nickie Quaid 7 

Made some crucial saves in the opening half. Early on Limerick struggled to win ball off their own puckout, but eventually got to to grips with it. 

Mike Casey taken off too early to rate

On six minutes, Casey was forced off with a serious hamstring injury which was disappointing for the Na Piarsaigh clubman  given the way he started the game. 

Dan Morrissey 7

Morrissey did as well as he could on Clare sharpshooter Shane O'Donnell, but the Limerick full-back caught some great ball on the edge of the square. 

Barry Nash 7

Consistent as ever, Nash played a key role on the ball for the Shannonsiders. Had his hands full with Aidan McCarthy at certain stages but manage to limit McCarthy to 1-1 from play. 

Diarmuid Byrnes 7

Had on off day on the long range frees where Byrnes failed to score. Peter Duggan definitely caused the Limerick wing back problems at certain stages, but late on he stepped up. 

Declan Hannon 7

On his return from injury, last year Hannon missed the All-Ireland semi-final and final through injury and his game time was limited in the league so this game will stand to him. 

Kyle Hayes 8

Hayes looked really sharp, set up some key scores and chipped in with a point and Clare really struggled to limit the impact of the 2023 all-star. 

William O'Donoghue 7

Once again, O'Donoghue worked his socks off in the middle third and won some crucial turnovers. 

Cian Lynch 8

In the first half Lynch struggled to get into the game. However, the Patrickswell man was crucial to Limerick's comeback dropping deep and winning some key breaks. 

Gearoid Hegarty 10

Looked back to his best form since winning Hurler of the Year in 2020. Did the simple things well and was on target with 0-3 from play and proved a handful for the Clare defence all day long, particularly when he moved inside. 

Cathal O'Neill 8

O'Neill has really built on his league form and the youngster direct running power gave the Banner county headaches and he landed two excellent points. 

Tom Morrissey 6

Clare did an excellent job curbing Tom Morrissey's influence, the Ahane man failed to score from play and was taken off on the 48 minute. 

Aaron Gillane 10

Gillane had a titanic battle with Conor Cleary, but in the end the 2023 Hurler of the Year looked unmarkable during the game and looks like the best forward in the country at the moment. 

Seamus Flannagan 6

Wasn't his usual self and didn't manage to chip in with his trademark long-range points and was taken off on the 40 minute. 

David Reidy 8

Reidy made the most of his opportunity and showed some excellent composure on the ball and finished the game with two points from play. 

Substitutes: 

Sean Finn 8

His first game in the championship since 2023 since a cruciate injury, Finn replaced Casey and won some key ball in the second half.

Donnacha Ó Dálaigh 8

Ó Dálaigh continues his rich vein of form straight away had a great goal chance which he was denied but overall made a huge impact scoring 1-01. 

Conor Boylan 8

Introduced on 48 minutes, Boylan made some great runs breaking the line and won a huge free with proved to be crucial in Limerick's comeback. 

Adam English 8

English was introduced by John Kiely into the middle third and the Doon man brought huge energy and that let Cian Lynch drop back.

Aidan O'Connor

Wasn't on long enough to be rated