Lee leads Limerick Masters footballers to win over Clare
LIMERICK’S Masters footballers got back to winning ways on Friday evening last with a 3-9 to 1-9 win over Clare in the All-Ireland Championship.
The victory at the home of St Patrick’s GAA Club for the Liam Mulcahy and Paul Dermody managed side was well deserved and moves them to five points in the table.
The margin of victory could have been greater but Limerick will take a win after a draw with Waterford and a defeat to Kerry from their last two outings.
Limerick were out of the blocks fast with an Anthony Molyneaux score after just 14 seconds.
That fast start was further enhanced by an excellent score from full-forward Tom Lee and another from Molyneaux. Lee was a constant threat alongside Ronan Magee in the Limerick full forward line throughout.
Gerard Kelly got Clare on the scoreboard with six minutes played but another fine Lee effort and a superb Phillip Moloney goal had Limerick 1-4 to 0-1 clear.
Limerick continued to dominate with points from Lee (2) and Ronan Magee before Mike Geary stretched their advantage to nine points on the 16 minute mark.
A Gerard Kelly goal brought Clare back into the contest but Limerick’s response was immediate with Lee and Magee firing in further three-pointers that gave the home side a 3-8 to 1-4 half-time advantage.
Clare had the advantage of a strengthening breeze after the break but Limerick still dominated for large periods.
However, a few misplaced passes and some wayward shooting saw Clare gain a bit of confidence.
Kelly fired over four points for the Banner and was aided by efforts from Phillip Ryan and Gerard Moore to cut Limerick’s advantage to five points heading into the final stages.
An insurance point arrived from Brian O’Leary to settle any nerves to secure a six-point winning margin.
Limerick now have two wins, a draw and a defeat from their four games to date and face Westmeath in their next game.
Scorers - Limerick: Tom Lee 1-3, Ronan Magee 1-1, Phillip Moloney 1-0 each, Anthony Molyneaux 0-2, Andy Breedy, Mike Geary and Brian O’Leary 0-1 each; Clare: Gerard Kelly 1-5, Paul Nagle, Johnny O’Brien, Phillip Ryan and Gerard Moore 0-1 each.
Limerick: Keith Hartnett; Leonard Coughlan, Pauric Ryan, Maurice O’Connor, Michael Geary, John Doyle, Mike Reidy; Andy Breedy, John Lynch; Phillip Moloney, Anthony Molyneaux, Mike Sillery; Ronan Magee, Tom Lee, Jimmy Ferreck; Subs Used: Ross O’Neill, Derek Connaughton, Paul Darmody, Michael O’Donoghue, Joe Mulcahy, Brian O’Leary, Micheál Reidy, Dermot Phelan.
Clare: Kieran Carkill; Phillip Ryan, Barry Duggan, Gerard Moore; Conor Crowley, Colm Carroll, Paul Nagle; Mark Fitzgerald, Patrick McGrath; Tom McGrath, Joe Green, Johnny O’Brien, Michael Haugh, Gerard Kelly, Noel Finucane; Subs Used: Michael Hawes, Flan Enright, Patrick Geary, Robert Harte, Enda Keena, Michael McCarthy.
Referee: Donal Casey (Kerry)