GAA
Limerick were made to work to overcome Clare in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
By the skin of their teeth, Limerick put one foot in the knockout stages of the Munster U20 Hurling Championship with a one point win over Clare.
A late salvo from Cathal O’Neill dragged Limerick over the line against a Clare side who led for the majority of the contest.
Clare need a result against Cork next week or Limerick will be sure of their progress to the semi-finals before their game with Cork on 20 April.
Below we look at some of the talking points to emerge from the game.
O’Neill the man for the big occasion
When these sides met in the 2019 Munster minor final, there was one man’s names on the lips of the patrons in the wake of the contest.
Cathal O’Neill.
The Crecora Manister native hit 0-9 on the day with three coming from play to help Limerick to a 1-17 to 1-11 win. Since then, he has shown his worth at U20 level before graduating to the senior side where he picked up an All-Ireland medal last year.
And when needed most last night, he stood up and delivered. Firstly he hit the net after 70 seconds to move Limerick four clear. But only one more point followed in the half, that coming from his stick midway through the half hour.
Trailing by three with time running out, O’Neill launched an unstoppable shot to the net to level proceedings. But not content with his haul of 2-2, he was on hand moments later to send over the winner from near the sideline.
So much pressure has been thrown his way but he has delivered in spades. Unfortunatly, that is likely to be his last appearance at the grade with a cameo (or start) against Cork in the Munster championship a formality.
Clare cannot finish the job
Limerick looked like they could give Clare a drubbing in the TUS Gaelic Grounds for the second successive year as they fired into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead instantly. Last year, the gap was 13-points with Limerick easing to a 1-27 to 0-17 victory in the Munster semi-final.
But the Banner rallied and with the aid of the wind, hit twelve of the next thirteen scores to lead by seven at the break. They hit the first point of the second period with their hunger allowing to control the contest despite the conditions.
Patrick Kirby’s goal didn’t seem to perturb them as they led by three heading into injury time. Still they couldn’t account for the genius of O’Neill.
Nonetheless, after the heavy loss to Limerick last year and the 40-point drubbing at the hands of Cork in the minor championship last year, there are some positives for Clare.
Yet, they will rue a golden opportunity missed with Cork now a must win game.
Goals win games
Limerick hit ten scores on the night while Clare plundered fifteen. Yet, it was Limerick taking the win with the old adage of goals win games proving true once more. O’Neill’s early strike was made crucial by what came after, a Clare onslaught.
Clare were seven clear when Patrick Kirby found the net against the run of play with twenty to go. However, it did take until the 63rd minute for the all important third goal as with their backs against the wall, Limerick found a way.
Limerick were guilty of shooting on goal far too early but in the end they got away with it.
However, it could have been a far different story were it not for the interventions of Conor Hanley Clarke at the other end. Everything is well aware of what the Kilmallock youngster is capable of with ball in hand from his exploit with the Balbec en route to the Munster final.
But last night he showed why Diarmuid Mullins entrusted him with the goalie jersey, making a number of point blank saves to keep the Banner at bay.
And in the end, this was the telling difference.
Injured stars needed back
Coming into the game, Limerick were dogged with injury, as a number of front line players were ruled out for Wednesday’s game. They include Diarmuid Hegarty, who hit 1-3 in last year’s Munster final and Michael Keane who also started that game.
Also missed were Patrick O’Donovan, who was called into the senior set up earlier this year and Liam Lynch who was Mungret St Pauls star man as they captured the Premier Intermediate Championship. 2019 Minor All-Star Ronan Lyons was another who missed out through injury.
Neither Keane or Lynch are likely to feature in Munster but there is hope the other three can force their way into the plans.
They will certainly be needed with All-Ireland champions Cork on the horizon with the likely loss of O’Neill and potential loss of Colin Coughlan and Adam English should they feature for the seniors.
Limerick weren’t at the races on Wednesday but with players to return, there should be a boost in training as they look to Cork in a fortnight.
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