GAA
Limerick Minor footballers kept their Munster Championship campaign alive with a stunning success over Clare in Miltown-Malbay. A 4-6 to 0-15 victory left those who traveled from Limerick with a sweet feeling in the fading April sun in the seaside town.
John Ryan’s side underperformed in a 1-11 to 0-7 reverse at home to Tipperary a week ago, but turned the tables on Waterford. Elsewhere, Tipperary hammered Waterford in Thurles. This means that a Limerick win over the Deise next week, coupled with a Tipperary defeat of Clare – would see a repeat clash of Limerick and the Premier County in the Phase One final. If the three sides each win two games, scoring difference would be the deciding factor.
This win, on a sun-drenched evening in West Clare, was made possible by four Limerick goals. Tommy Glynn pounced on 15 minutes to make it 1-2 to 0-6, after a bright Clare opening quarter.
The second goal, the last score of the half, came from Andrew Lyons. He scored Limerick’s two points, both frees, as they trailed 0-10 to 2-2. Clare had nice scores from Gearoid Barry, Kaden Deegan-Herlihy and Daire Culligan.
Limerick were level after a brace of points- with Cian Costello and Padraic Murphy both accurate. But, entering the last 10 minutes, Limerick trailed by three points.
Two goals in a minute, one each for Adam Murphy and Lyons, powered the boys in green level. These made possible by the likes of Evan Curry, Darragh Hogan and the impressive Padraic Phelan.
Limerick wouldn’t relinquish the lead, thanks in part to keeper Sam Guerin, who dealt with some dropping shots late in the contest.
Full Highlights:
Scorers for Clare: Gearoid Barry 0-7 (0-4f); Daire Culligan 0-3 (0-1f); Shane O’Connell 0-2; Kaden Deegan-Herlihy, Aidan Weaver, Diarmuid McMahon 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Andrew Lyons 2-3 (0-3f); Adam Murphy 1-1; Tommy Glynn 1-0; Padraic Murphy, Cian Costello 0-1 each
Clare: Eoin Byrne (St Breckans); Aaron Killeen (Lissycasey), Conor Hill (Lissycasey), Ronan Fitzpatrick (St Breckans); Aidan Weaver (Lissycasey), Michael Kelly (Lissycasey), Diarmuid Boyle; Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Ben Skerritt (Lissycasey); Darragh Townsend (Cooraclare), Daire Culligan (Lissycasey), Kaden Deegan-Herlihy (Banner); Gearoid Barry (Inagh-Kilnamona), Diarmuid McMahon (Lissycasey), Shane O’Connell (Cooraclare).
Subs: Sam Garry (Clondegad) for Skerrit (57).
Limerick: Sam Guerin (Kildimo/Pallaskenry); Cian O’Sullivan (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Callum Buckley (Athea), James Hunt (Athea); Liam Og Glynn (Ahane), Cathal Woulfe (Fr. Casey’s), Sam Colgan (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan); Cian Costello (Cappagh/Rathkeale), Evan Curry (C) (Athea); Adam Murphy (Fr. Casey’s), Darragh Hogan (Mungret/St. Paul’s), Padraic Phelan (Pallasgreen); Tommy Glynn (Na Piarsaigh), Andrew Lyons (Newcastle West) Padraic Murphy (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan).
Subs: Cillian Meade (St. Senan’s) for Colgan (half-time), Ronan O’Connell for Phelan (40), Ross Allen for Hogan (60).
Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford)