Gillane rescues draw for Limerick with late free

Limerick and Clare played out a 2-11 to 1-14 draw in their Allianz Hurling League Division 1A game at Cusack Park.

The game, which was played in horrendous conditions, was dominated by Limerick in the opening half but two Clare goals after the break saw them ahead in the final stages.

However, two nerveless frees from Limerick’s Aaron Gillane ensured that John Kiely’s side came out with a draw.

Clare made a fast start the game with the opening two points from Tony Kelly and Shane Golden.

Limerick were soon in front, however, when Gearoid Hegarty produced a superb finish to beat Donal Tuohy for a goal after eight minutes.

Aaron Gillane followed up with his first free but that was soon cancelled out by Peter Duggan. That left the s core at 1-1 to 0-3 with 12 minutes played.

Gillane and Diarmuid Ryan then traded scores, before Kyle Hayes restored Limerick’s two point advantage after excellent work from Declan Hannon and Hegarty.

Limerick continued to be the more prominent side as the half continued with Cian Lynch dominating midfield.

John Kiely’s men finished the half with four points on the trot – a ’65 from Colin Ryan and one each from Paddy O’Loughlin, Peter Casey and another Gillane free that saw them 1-7 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

Clare reduced that lead to a point when Shane Golden eased through the Limerick defence and hit a low shot past Nickie Quaid.

Gary Cooney then levellled the game with a well taken point but two points each from Gillane and Casey saw Limerick 1-11 to 1-7 up with 47 minutes on the clock. Casey’s first came after Gillane’s penalty was saved by Tuohy.

Clare roared back into action with three on the bounce and then a Peter Duggan goal put them two ahead before Gillane’s injury time double rescued a draw for Limerick.

Scorers: Aaron Gillane 0-8 (8f), Gearoid Hegarty 1-0, Peter Casey 0-3, Kyle Hayes, Colin Ryan (1 ’65) and Paddy O’Loughlin 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Tom Condon, Sean Finn, Richie English; Paddy O’Loughlin, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Cian Lynch, Colin Ryan; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Peter Casey.

Subs: William O’Meara for Finn (7), Darragh O’Donovan for Ryan (50), Graeme Mulcahy for Flanagan (59), David Dempsey for Hegarty (63), Shane Dowling for T Morrissey (66).

Clare: Donal Tuohy; Rory Hayes, David McInerney, Jack Browne; David Fitzgerald, Conor Cleary, Patrick O’Connor ; Shane Golden (1-01), Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan (1-06 0-06f), Tony Kelly (0-01), Diarmuid Ryan (0-02); Podge Collins, Niall Deasy,  Ian Galvin.

Subs: Gary Cooney (0-01) for I Galvin (35), Oisin O’Brien for McInerney (HT), Cathal Malone for O’Connor (51), Aidan McCarthy for Deasy (55), Aron Shanagher  for Ryan (65)

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)