Lackluster Limerick slump to Clare defeat in Munster Camogie Championship

Limerick 0-11
Clare 1-15

Limerick suffered a disappointing loss in the Munster Senior Camogie semi-final, as neighbours Clare ran out convincing winners at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Limerick only managed a brace of second-half points as the Banner shut the door and advanced to a Munster decider. There was encouraging signs for John Lillis in the first-half, but his side were unable to sustain this beyond the half-time break.

Clare held a 1-8 to 0-9 advantage at the change of ends with 1-2 from Aine O’Loughlin a telling contribution. For Limerick, Caoimhe Costello and Claire Keating shared the free-taking duties, while Caoimhe Lyons scored a quality early point. Clare had other scores from Orlaith Duggan and Lorna McNamara.

There was an early point from Claire Keating but the Treaty never kicked for home. Further Clare scores pushed them clear, with McNamara bringing her total to 0-8, with three ’45’s key to keeping Limerick at arms length.

Laura O’Neill denied Clare three times in the second-half with top-class saves.

Scorers for Limerick: C Costello (0-3 frees), C Keating (0-2 frees) 0-4 each; C Lyons, O Kelleher, S O’Brien 0-1 each

Scorers for Clare: L McNamara 0-8 (0-3 frees, 0-3 ‘45’); O Duggan 0-3; A O’Loughlin 1-2; E Kelly, R Foley 0-1 each.


Limerick: L O’Neill (Na Piarsaigh); T Dore (Charleville), M Creamer (Cappamore), M Quaid (C) (Bruff); M Ryan (Bruff), A Larkin (Mungret/St. Paul’s) M O’Callaghan (Bruff); O Kelleher (Croagh/Kilfinny), C Costello (Adare); C Lyons (Monaleen), S O’Callaghan (Adare), C Ryan (Doon); S O’Brien (Templeglantine), L Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), C Keating (Cappamore).

Subs: A Ó Tiarnaigh for Larkin (49 -inj), E Madigan for C Ryan (49), L Fennelly (Cappamore) for Boylan (57), S Woulfe (Templeglantine) for O’Callaghan (61).

Clare: D Murphy (Clarecastle); C Grogan (Clooney-Quin), S Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe), C Kelly (Kilkishen), C Hehir (JC) (Inagh-Kilnamona), L Ryan (Inagh Kilnamona); C Carmody (Kilmaley), O Duggan (Clooney-Quin); M Scanlan (Sixmilebridge), N O’Dea (JC) (Kilmaley), A Keane (Inagh-Kilnamona); E Kelly (Truagh-Clonlare), A O’Loughlin (Truagh-Clonlara), L McNamara (Feakle-Killanena).

Subs: R Foley (Truagh-Clonlara) for Scanlan (40), A Walsh (Scariff-Ogonnelloe) for Ryan (53), Z Y Spillane (Feakle) for E. Kelly (55), C Morey for Hehir (56), A Keating for O’Loughlin for (61).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork)