Limerick Bow Out of Munster U20 Championship with Clare loss

Limerick’s campaign in the ONeills.com Munster U20 Hurling Championship came to a heart-breaking end at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, as they fell narrowly to a sharp Clare side in a pulsating encounter.

Despite a spirited effort, the home team couldn’t recover from a dominant Clare first half, which saw the Banner county take full advantage of Limerick’s defensive gaps and missed opportunities. Clare shot a remarkable 94% in the opening half, with Jack O’Neill leading the charge, hitting five points from play. He was well supported by Fred Hegarty, James Organ, and Eoin McMahon, as Clare surged into a nine-point lead at approaching half-time

In contrast, Limerick were wasteful early on, clocking up eight wides in the first 30 minutes. However, a late flurry before the break – with points from Mark O’Brien (free and 65), Hugh Flanagan, and Matthew Fitzgerald – helped cut the deficit to just four, 0-17 to 0-13.

A critical moment came just before half-time when Robert O’Farrell was brilliantly denied by Clare goalkeeper Mark Sheedy. The second half remained tight and tense, with both teams struggling to convert chances. Limerick finished with 15 wides, leaving the door open for Clare to stay ahead.

O’Farrell eventually hit the net with a composed 43rd-minute finish after a clever line-ball from Fintan Fitzgerald, reducing the gap to just two. But Clare found key scores through Michael Collins and Sean Boyce, and when James Hegarty nailed a late 65 and a free, it was enough to see Terence Fahy’s side over the line.

Limerick, who had suffered a narrow home loss to Cork just days earlier, bow out despite showing moments of real quality. Clare now move on to a semi-final clash against Cork, while Tipperary await in the final after topping the group.

For Limerick, it’s a case of what might have been. It means that Limerick fail to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the third successive season after winning the Munster U20 crown in 2022.

Scorers for Limerick: Mark O’Brien 0-10 (0-8 frees, 0-1 ‘65); Robert O’Farrell 1-1; Dara Ferland, Hugh Flangan, Ruairí O’Connor 0-2 each; Fintan Fitzgerald, Robert O’Farrell, Diarmaid Hurley 0-1each.

Scorers Clare: Fred Hegarty 0-7 (all frees); Jack O’Neill 0-6; James Organ; Seán Boyce 0-3 each; Diarmuid Stritch, Michael Collins,JamesHegarty(1 free, 1 ’65) 0-2 each; Eoin McMahon; Ronan Kilroy 0-1 each.

Limerick: Fionn O’Brien (Bruree); John Murray (Patrickswell), Sean Casey (Bruff), Dan Scully (Dromin-Athlacca); Jack Cosgrave (Ahane), Aidan O’Connell (Doon), Darragh Langan (Monaleen); Sean Duff (Mungret St Paul’s), James Finn (Na Piarsaigh); Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Dara Ferland (Monaleen), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane); Mark O’Brien (Mungret St Paul’s), Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry, Fintan Fitzgerald (Capt, Mungret St Paul’s).


Subs: Diarmaid Hurley (Newcastle West) for O’Connell (33); Tadhg Boddy (Dromin Athlacca) for Duff (40); Ruairi Ó’Connor (Feenagh Kilmeedy) for Finn (45); Donal Coughlan (Doon) for O’Brien (59).


Clare: Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); Eoghan Gunning (Broadford), John Cahill (Clooney-Quin), Joe Casey (Kilmaley); Jamie Moylan (Cratloe), James Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona), Eoin McMahon (St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); Robert Loftus (Éire Óg Ennis), Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin); Ronan Kilroy (Banner), Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara), James Organ (Corofin); Sean Boyce (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Fred Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona), Michael Collins (Clonlara)

Subs: Daniel Costelloe (Ballyea) for Loftus (half-time); Liam Crotty (Scariff) for Organ (41); Tadhg Lohan (Cratloe) for Hegarty (56); Fiachra Ó Braoin (Sixmilebridge) for McMahon (60)


Referee: Nicky O’Toole (Waterford)