Limerick downed by Clare but advance to Munster Final

Limerick fell to a five-point loss against Clare at the TUS Gaelic Grounds this afternoon with the Banner earning a 3-20 to 0-24 win.

However, Limerick will welcome Cork to the Ennis Road venue for the decider on Saturday, June 7 after the Rebels booked their spot with victory over Waterford.

Two second half Ryan Taylor goals saw Clare earn their solitary win in the round robin series after Limerick made eight changes from the side that beat Cork last time out.

Brian Lohan’s men were full value for their victory with Mark Rodgers’ first half goal adding to Taylor’s double.

The score was deadlocked at 0-9 apiece when Rodgers latched onto Eamon Foudy’s puck out and flashed a shot to the back of the net. The goal helped Clare to a 1-13 to 0-10 half time advantage.

Clare started the second half as the dominant team with Rodgers again to the fore. For their second goal, he turned provider for Taylor to find the net.

Tony Kelly followed up with a point to put Clare 11 in front at that stage. Limerick fired over the next six points with Tom Morrissey, Gearoid Hegarty, Cathal O’Neill and Aidan O’Connor impressing.

However, Taylor raised a green flag for Clare with a close range finish that saw them home to victory at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Scorers – Limerick: Tom Morrissey 0-7 (5f), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-4 (2f), Cathal O’Neill 0-3, Gearoid Hegarty, Séamus Flanagan and Peter Casey 0-2 each, Adam English, Aidan O’Connor and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh 0-1 each.

Limerick Shane Dowling; Barry Murphy, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes , Declan Hannon, Colin Coughlan; Darragh O’Donovan, Will O’Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, Cathal O’Neill, Tom Morrissey; Seamus Flanagan , Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey.

Subs: Adam English for O’Donovan (44), Barry Nash for Murphy (48, temp), Aidan O’Connor for O’Brien (52), David Reidy for Byrnes (59), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh for Flanagan (61), Paddy O’Donovan for Flanagan (65).